| Duty is a pleasure for Bell as he portrays N.Y. cop ( Minneapolis Star Tribune ) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coby Bell, one of the stars of NBC's ensemble drama ``Third Watch, '' is a young actor who has arrived at the cusp of celebrity. But that hasn't changed his philosophy: ``Take it easy, go with the flow and be nice to everybody.'' Three months after graduating from San Jose State University, Bell landed a guest role on ``ER,'' which led to guest spots on ``Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,'' ``The Parent 'Hood'' and other TV shows. Bell was tapped as a full-fledged cast member on ``LA Doctors' ' in 1998. Within weeks of learning that his character was being phased out, he won the part of rookie cop Ty Davis Jr. on ``Third Watch.' ' ``I know it's not that easy. I know that's not how the business works for most people. But it worked for me and I don't question it, '' said Bell, who has relocated from his native California to New York. ``Third Watch'' follows a tight-knit group of New York City police officers, firefighters and paramedics through their tours of duty. ``Right when I read the character, I knew it was for me,'' he said. ``Everything is new for him as he starts on a new part of his life, and that's just where I am.'' Bell and his alter ego try to live by the rules. ``I try to be a good guy; he tries to be a good guy. I try to be a nice guy, and he tries to be a nice guy,'' the 24-year-old actor said. ``Third Watch'' is filmed throughout the city. ``We film 90 percent of the scenes on the street, and we get a pretty cool reaction from people, especially when we're in our uniforms. If they realize we're `Third Watch,' people cheer. Or they think I' m a real cop and they ask me for directions.'' Wearing an NYPD uniform and chasing pretend criminals down crowded streets has given Bell a much greater appreciation for the job that police officers do, he said. He calls police work ``noble'' - and too difficult for him to ever consider. `` `Third Watch' is a dream job. I love to go to work every day, '' he said. ``I just wish everyone would see the show. I think it' s that good.'' People are beginning to recognize him as a TV star - sort of. ``They usually say, `You look just like that guy from `Third Watch, ' but you have glasses,' '' said Bell, who wears glasses for astigmatism when he's not filming. Bell, the son of a Broadway stage actor, chose television, radio and film production as his major in college. He knew he wanted to work in the entertainment field, but was realistic about the competition for on-camera roles. Eventually, a theater department professor persuaded him to take a leading role in a stage production of ``The Grapes of Wrath,'' and after that, his mind was made up. When he's not working, Bell enjoys getting together with ``Third Watch'' co-stars Anthony Ruivivar, Skipp Sudduth and Jason Wiles, or watching reruns of ``Gilligan's Island.'' Bell loves music. He plays keyboards, guitar and drums. He's learning how to play the bass. He owns a saxophone, but his apartment isn't soundproof enough for him to practice. |