James Woods ATAUSELACE THINK IF MY FATHER had lived longer, he would lossesas a child, have taught methat you can’t let your anger control you,” James PeeLT Woods said as we sat in his glass-enclosed kitchenin California. “Several CORALCr years ago, [ went through real soul- ERMCMa al searching, andI feel I've now reached a sense of serenity and centeredness.” “difficult”—-to emerge, Woods did seemto have a calmness about him, and I asked whatthe key was FeaCTI to his emotional equilibrium. “Two wonderful parents brought me up with very traditional values,” hereplied, “and it was because of my renewed commitment to those values— Woodswith his mother, Martha, who encouraged him to pursue his dreams, SuenCalo) GELCaeHERIom like honor, loyalty, hard work and moral principles—that I survived difficult times. The silver-haired WhenYou Follow Your Heart, The Best actor (who likes to be called “Jimmy”) was born April 18, 1947, to Martha and Gail Pey- 9 ton Woods. Achief petty officer in the aaM LCC Navy Seabees during World ail won two. ts and, as his son recalled, a Presidential citation for War IL Purple He: bravery Then, after serving in the Korean War. Gail became aca- reer Army officer. The family moved from baseto base until—afterthe birth of a second son, Michael, in 1957—they settled in Warwick, R.1., where Gail was permanently assigned. “Forfive days, Things Happen myfather knew Ve he was dying. On What my father stood for was anes: sential part of developing my owniden tity.” Woods explained, “He was a gen uine war hero, but in the best sense, because he pointedly refusedto talk sbout his exploits. Although he was a quiet man, I knew he and my mother were devoted to eachother. In fact, every Sunday my father madeher breakfast in bed. T loved that, becauseit so con firmed their partnership—that together his last day, he could not ward off haphazard turnsof fate. When Woods was 10, hesaw his best fnend run over andkilled by a car. Two him as always he wasso brave thatonhis last day lucky to receive that imprimatur from my to tell him that God was letting andi—\ mehewrote a farewell letter, then goals, I will be able to achievethem. With her resilience and fortitude he phoned my 3-year-oldbrother my mother’s + by myside.” years later, in 1960, he experienced an: HAWKES a told meto think of him as always by my surgery because of incompatible blood side whenI faced challenges, andhe transfusions. “For five days, he said that he was sure I would succeed knew he wasdying,” Woodssaid, at whatever I strived for.” Woods paused his eyes welling withtears “Yet then added withintensity: “I was wrote a farewell. letter to me, : then he died in they werecreating a happy household.” arms. He told Nevertheless, even their happiness meto think of ie iL IE Te. 8 other loss: His father diedafter heart himsay goodbyefrom heaven. To Woods in 1965, his senior year at Pilgrim High in Warwick, Ri. hedied in my mother's arms.” His father's letter expressed pridein his son’s intelligence and scholas. tic accomplishments, know that once I can define my Woods’ mother taught himanother last ing lesson. In order to earn an income while being close to her toddler, she wen' “He wrote, "You to work at Michael's nursery schoo! Woods recited from memory. “He ‘When it was about to close, she began her own school, which she developed int have a gift and you must always cherish it,” father. And that became my modus oper OVER PHO! TOGRAPH BY JAMES SORENSEN, SHIRT BY PAUL SMITH. JACKET BY RALPH LAUREN, STYLIST. PETRA PFAFFLI PAGE 4: MAY 23, 1999 PARADE MAGAZINE