ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
All servicemembers have to learn how to easily transition from one stage to another, but one Team Andrews member does this literally by putting on an exceptional show. Tech. Sgt. Rich "Hollywood" Duma has not only served the nation's top leaders as a 99th Airlift Squadron flight attendant, but he has also acted on movie sets with A-list actors.
Through both roles, Sergeant Duma has served our nation's top leaders and has met hundreds of celebrities, ranging from one of the last remaining munchkins from the "Wizard of Oz," Mickey Carroll, to Angelina Jolie. Even though he has been in the company of Hollywood's elite, Sergeant Duma counts serving the nation's distinguished visitors as his starring role.
Even though Sergeant Duma was used to being in the spotlight, his first introduction to the Air Force was not acting in a leading role; rather he served as a supporting player. He didn't plan on being in the military the day he met a recruiter. He simply thought he was driving his closest friend to the recruiter's office.
"My best friend needed a ride to the recruiter's office, and when we got there, the recruiter set his sights on me, too. I told him I was one of the most unlikely candidates for the military, but then my friend told the recruiter that I was a singer and an entertainer. The recruiter told me that I could sing in the Air Force, and I signed on that day," Sergeant Duma explained.
Seventeen years later, Sergeant Duma is proud of his accomplishments and his Air Force career.
"It has been a remarkable journey," Sergeant Duma said. "I've been able to do exactly what I've always wanted to do. I've been able to see places I've always wanted to see, live around the world and do what I love to do in my personal life, and that's be in the entertainment business."
In 1993, Sergeant Duma was able to combine his personal and professional passions when he became involved in Air Force entertainment and worked on the production of the 1997 Tops in Blue World Tour.
"I love producing and directing and putting a show together - that's really where my heart is," Sergeant Duma said.
The Airman and actor likened his work in an airplane's cabin to the stage. In his role as a flight attendant, Sergeant Duma is dedicated to providing the nation's distinguished visitors with renowned SAM FOX service where 'Perfection is the Standard.'
"When you think about it, my work in the 99th really is like putting a show together and directing the best possible experience our DVs on a plane can possibly have," Sergeant Duma said. "When those cabin doors close, it's show time."
Having traveled around the world on countless missions, Sergeant Duma enjoys his work where no 'show' is the same.
"I love what I do and think I have the best job in the Air Force. I have traveled all around the world with this assignment and it is an absolute joy to get up and go to work every day. Not everyone can say that," Sergeant Duma said.
The flexibility in his day job has allowed Sergeant Duma to pursue a passion that has inspired him since his days as a schoolboy in Albany, NY.
"I've always enjoyed movies and entertainment, but I can really say that I caught the acting bug - and the performance bug - as a 10-year-old at a Chubby Checker concert," Sergeant Duma explained.
Though an oldies concert may seem like an unlikely place for a child to recognize a passion, the young Duma experienced an irrepressible urge to go up on stage and dance with Mr. Checker.
"I made my way from where we were sitting - all the way in the balcony of the concert - to the stage, where Chubby grabbed me, and then I was doing the twist with Chubby Checker. That was it. That's all I needed. The crowd cheered us on and I was hooked," he said.
Twenty-five years later, as an entertainer, Sergeant Duma found himself singing with Patti LaBelle at the Showplace Arena, where Ms. LaBelle invited him from the crowd to sing with her onstage.
"She knew I was in the audience and called me up - it was an unforgettable experience," Sergeant Duma said.
As a young teen, Sergeant Duma and a friend were riding their bikes around the set of "Ironwood," a 1987 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. There, he met Mr. Nicholson for the first time.
"I learned how to play chess from the great Jack Nicholson," Sergeant Duma said. "Jack is Jack. What you see on film is how he really is. I remember this so vividly; he looked at me from across the table and said, 'You know how to play chess, kid?' I said, 'no,' and he told me to take a seat. When Jack Nicholson tells you to take a seat, you take a seat."
Sergeant Duma's path crossed with Mr. Nicholson again, years later, at a Wimbledon Championship.
"I had a prop axe from 'The Shining' that I got Stephen King to sign and wanted Jack to sign it. I carried it in a tennis bag that I asked Mr. Nicholson to sign," Sergeant Duma laughed. "I told him, 'I don't know if you remember me, but you taught me how to play chess 20 years ago,' and, in true Jack Nicholson fashion, he looks at me and said, 'Kid, I've taught a lot of people how to play chess.'"
The axe is just one of an estimated 70,000 Hollywood items that Sergeant Duma has in his collection, the majority of which he keeps cataloged in a warehouse. While his collection is extensive, Sergeant Duma does have a favorite.
"I grew up on the 'Wizard of Oz.' I looked forward to it on TV every year, and I am a huge fan. I am really proud of my 'Wizard of Oz' collection," Sergeant Duma said. "I have five original bricks from the yellow brick road. I have a replica of the ruby slippers made by the daughter of the costume designer for the 'Wizard of Oz,' and have amassed over 60 signatures from the original cast."
Sergeant Duma's love for everything entertainment and connections in the Hollywood and music world has allowed him choice seats at the Emmys, Oscars and private parties.
"This year, I got to meet the kids from 'Slumdog Millionaire,' which was a highlight of this year's Oscars," Sergeant Duma said.
In previous years, Sergeant Duma's Oscars' party highlights included holding Robin Williams' Oscar for "Good Will Hunting."
"I couldn't believe that I was holding an Oscar - the Oscar!" Sergeant Duma exclaimed. "It was truly an unbelievable experience. He just handed it to me!"
Years later, Sergeant Duma had the honor of having Mr. Williams on one of his missions where they headed toward the Middle East with the USO.
"He's a great guy and he does so much for the troops and their morale," Sergeant Duma said.
Some of the more recent movies Sergeant Duma has worked on include "National Treasure," "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" with Nicolas Cage, "Salt" with Angelina Jolie and the upcoming, "How Do You Know" with Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon.
Some of the most notable celebrities that Sergeant Duma has met include visiting with Jay Leno at Mr. Leno's house where they ate sandwiches, meeting Queen Elizabeth II twice and sharing military memorabilia with Matt Damon. While these experiences seem extraordinary for many, they are routine for Sergeant Duma.
In fact, it has become a game in the squadron to guess what entertainer Sergeant Duma has not met.
"They're still guessing," Sergeant Duma said.