Foremost on my Mind: Skin Flint, Yes?

It's not too often that one is impressed with celebrities these days. Too many of them hang out on the wrong side (Maurice, that would be 'left') of the political spectrum, change partners as frequently as I change my oil, and feel that their ascent to the screen or the arena allows them to opine on anything and everything—whether they know what they're talking about.

That's why a recent revelation about Andy Garcia and a quote from Roberto Luongo were most refreshing. Who is Garcia, you ask? Well, there are at least two movies that feature him: The Untouchables and The Godfather III. I know he's in others, but those are the ones I'm familiar with. And Luongo, natch, is Vancouver Canuck's starting goaltender.

Regardless what you think of the afore-mentioned movies and the state of Vancouver's current goaltending woes is beside the point in this column.

We're talking “skin” today, people, so if you have a problem with today's topic, cover your eyes when you read this.

Garcia, a famous actor swimming betimes in the cesspool also known as Hollywood, is reputed to have walked off a set when—get this—he was asked to take his shirt off. He refused to display any skin whatsoever, even if it was just his upper body. I believe there was also some reference to his wife in that clip.

Roberto Luongo has shot up in my estimation, based on his reaction to teammate Ryan Kesler's pose in the buff. He was asked what he thought about various athletes posing semi-nude for a charity calendar, including Kesler. His response: “This body is for one set of eyes only” (and again, he was referring to his wife).

Now, due to divine circumstances beyond my control, I will never be a Mrs. Andy Garcia or a Mrs. Roberto Luongo. However, if I'm sure both of those women would be thrilled to have a husband with such standards. I can think of many women who would give anything to have husbands who prized their marriage vows like that.

In a world of “wardrobe malfunction” (another name for “desperate ploy for attention”), it is a rare gem to find celebrities who have climbed the popularity ladder, while at the same time keeping some sense of propriety. Most of them seem to lose their common sense, morality, and clothes on the way up—and not necessarily in that order.

Healthy morals are always the first thing to go when people come into money or fame. And even in the case of Andy G. and Roberto L., there may very well be other side issues that yours truly knows nothing about, and would be very dismayed over. However, all I can comment on is what I'm told.

The simple point here is the fact that these two--and there may be others—have decided to stick to their standards, regardless of how nerdy and prudish they may appear. They have truly gone against the flow. Movies stars and athletes are quite a promiscuous tandem these day. This is nothing new; it just perhaps being, er, exposed more and more.

And not only exposed, but flaunted.

So, hats off to Andy and Roberto for their moral courage. And, for the record, that would be the only thing I too would ever take off.