FROM THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT: Summer hiatus for John C. McGinley has been no laughing matter as the "Scrubs" star recently finished shooting the werewolf/serial killer film "Cursed," directed by fright master Wes Craven. Also starring Christina Ricci and Skeet Ulrich, the February 2004, Dimension Films release was written by Kevin Williamson, who scared up nice box-office figures with the "Scream" trilogy, as well as with "The Faculty."

Says McGinley, "Wes asked me to do the part, and it was really so great to work with him. Wes is a very calm gentleman, and he created a very calm place to go to work. There was no hyperkinetic anything, no craziness."

McGinley, who has a definite shot at making the Emmy short list in the supporting actor comedy category, will reprise one of his most important roles come fall. Every year he acts as grand marshal for the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk in Los Angeles, Orange County, New York and Washington, D.C. McGinley's 5-year-old son Max, whom he describes as "bold and precocious" has DS.

"There are 150 walks nationally, but I only do four," says the actor. "Locally in Los Angeles, we had been at Griffith Park the last few years, but this year we'll be at the Santa Anita Racetrack on Sept. 14."


(With reports by Erick Johnson)

LOAD-DATE: June 12, 2003