Patti

Patti Smith made her television debut on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Though the queen of punk has done a little acting before — lending her vocal talents to 1998′s The Rugrats Movie as the newborn baby – her stint on Law and Order: CI marks the first time Smith has stepped before a camera for the silver screen. In the episode, Smith plays Cleo Alexander, a Columbia University Professor of Mythology. Anyone who has read Smith’s autobiographical novel, Just Kids, will notice the parallel between her early years as an emerging punk artist and this, her first television role. It seems that Smith has always held a fascination for the occult.  Smith’s character helps with the investigation of a murder which takes place during a Broadway musical. The musical is based on the story of Icarus, hence why the Professor’s expertise is required. Explaining the meaning of the Minotaur and the maze, much to the enlightenment of that know it all detective.  At five foot eight, though, Smith’s presence is as intensely felt as ever. Loosely based on the real life circus that is Broadway’s Spider Man: Turn off the Dark, the episode is an intriguing one, mostly due to Smith’s part in it. I just love to see Ms. Patti Smith at all times. She's one of my all time heroines.