Doug Neway landed many parts in his life, putting them together to serve as the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida Jacksonville Division.
“There is no doubt my background has helped in everything I’ve done,” said Neway, 51.
The Long Island native found himself in a high-school play by chance, loved it and, while leaning toward law, opted to pursue an acting career, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College.
He did commercials and soap operas, including some lines on “One Life to Live” when he was 19. He had a part on a Maxwell House commercial with actor Paul Newman that aired only in Japan. (A distraught football team is cheered up when Newman arrives with hot coffee.)
Neway auditioned for roles with Tom Cruise and Timothy Hutton. He bartended, worked construction and did a favor for a mutual friend by finding a job for Woody Harrelson on the construction crew.
That didn’t work out, but Harrelson soon turned up on “Cheers” as Woody, the naïve bartender.
“We all said, ‘he’s not acting. That’s him,’” Neway said.
Other roles along the way included Prince Charming in “Cinderella” and Jesus in “Godspell.” He sings, too.
Neway returned to law and earned his degree at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale.
In summary of the 25 years since: Neway clerked in Fort Lauderdale; worked in condominium law; invested in, bought and sold a talent agency in Orlando; then became inhouse counsel for a vacation-travel agency.
It soared and crashed in the market and he worked through its bankruptcy, then took a position with a lawyer practicing consumer bankruptcy law. He followed that by becoming the Florida partner for an expanding law firm.
It was his Tanner v. First PlusFinancial case that made its way to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal in 1999. He came to Jacksonville for oral arguments and prevailed.
“The argument was really exhilarating,” he said. “I loved it.”
Neway worked through The Florida Bar to change the Florida Statutes to allow people to protect more assets in their bankruptcy cases.
On Aug. 1, 2007, he was asked to take his current job. He took the role Oct. 1, 2007.
Still, his father thought he quit acting too soon. His dad’s cousin was Patricia Neway, who died Jan. 24 at the age of 92.
She won a Tony Award in 1960 for her Broadway role as Mother Abbess, the “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” soprano in “The Sound of Music.”
“I’m really glad I did what I did,” he said about his pursuit of an entertainment career.
“It gives you confidence. It helps you get your point across a little more dramatically.”
356-2466