STILL THINKING ABOUT THAT PESKY SHARK

Former brat-packer << Judd Nelson>> rose to fame in the 1980s in a string angst-ridden films ranging from "The Breakfast Club" to "St. Elmo's Fire." But it has been TV that kept bus. Until last season, he played Brooke Shields' boss - and sometime love interest - on NBC's comedy "Suddenly Susan." He left the show last summer. Next week, Nelson returns to play deejay who is credited with inventing the term rock 'n' roll, Alan Freed, in an NBC movie, "Mr: Rock 'n' Roll."

 

Are there any books or movies that changed your life?

"Catcher in the Rye" had a profound impact on me - the idea that we all have lots of dreams that are slowly being chipped away as we grow up. I've never specifically identified with it, but I loved the tone and the feeling of the book. Young alienation, disappointment and heartache and stuff is all a part of the first real growing up that we do.

Strangely enough the movie that's had the most effect on me is "Jaws." To this day when I'm in the ocean, I'm hearing that music . . . da-dah, da-dah da-dah.

 

Who are your heroes?

My main, foremost hero is my dad. He's the most honest guy I've ever met. He's hardworking and epitomizes the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.

 

What was the worst day of your life?

The first grandparent that I lost. It was the first time that someone that I knew and loved died. And death is not my best subject.

 

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

Since there are not too many positions out there for hat-check guys . . . I don't know. My father is an attorney, but I've never seen myself as being a lawyer. My mother is a retired politician.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional athlete. To somehow win the Olympic marathon, the decathlon, Wimbledon, the World Series, the NBA Championship - all of it. For the longest time I held onto this belief that I could be a professional athlete. Unfortunately, I'm not good enough at any sport.