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Vice Blog

WOULD THREE SEPARATE POSTS ABOUT CLAUDE ZACHARY CONSTITUTE OVERKILL?

I've watched Over the Edge probably more than 100 times and Claude Zachary is my favorite character. I used to look like him when I was his age--my hair was lighter and I wore overalls. Actually he looks like all my brothers. He could easily be a McGinley. Also, one time I took mescaline in Spanish class and had a very similar experience to his art-exam freakout.

Ever since high school I've used Claude's name as an alias anytime I've ever gotten into trouble. About ten years ago I got caught jumping a subway turnstile and when they asked for ID I said I didn't have any and that my name was Claude Zachary. I've told countless cops and highway patrolmen and park rangers I was Claude Zachary when I've been stopped during shoots on my road trips. Sometimes I'll sign my name as Claude Zachary at Whole Foods just for the whatever of it--they don't even look at the signature. Finally, Claude Zachary was the name of my wifi network for a while.

Meeting Claude Zachary that night was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. I feel like now I've accomplished something real and meaningful. I can't believe that he lives in New York and I could have theoretically walked by him on the street at some point. I just met Janet Jackson in London a few days ago but I was more starstruck by Claude. Over the Edge definitely wins out over Rhythm Nation. And I say that as a loyal citizen of said nation.

Ryan McGinley