Unlike many Hollywood siblings who don't talk to one another, there's no rivalry between the Mandylor brothers, a pair of former soccer players-turned-actors. Costas, who co-stars in CBS' quirky drama "Picket Fences" and Louis, who co-stars in Fox's sitcom "Down the Shore," get along great.
"I am his big brother and I protect him," Costas said. "When we played soccer and anyone came near him, I was a big fist in the back of their head."Louis remains appreciative of his older brother. "I can be stubborn," he admitted. "I don't listen to anyone except Costas. But sometimes, it takes me several times to hear what he says."
This tale of two brothers, whose family emigrated from Greece to Australia, begins Down Under, where Costas had to quit soccer in 1987 after suffering shin splints.
He began to search for alternatives. Friends urged him to capitalize on other strengths - his tall, dark, rugged looks - that Costas could use in Hollywood.
"I laughed," Costas recalled.
But he didn't laugh long. He took their advice and went east. "I went to see what goes on in this business," he said.
Costas got lucky, fast. Within a year, he landed a role opposite Willem Dafoe in the critically acclaimed Holocaust movie "Triumph of the Spirit," the first film ever shot inside the Auschwitz death camp. Next came more film roles in "The Doors," "Mobsters" and "Soapdish."
Across the Pacific, Louis, a soccer player-turned-boxer, worked as a doorman at his uncle's disco in Melbourne. It was a profession, he admitted, where he could call upon his boxing skills from time to time. But when he saw his brother's success, he, too, decided to go to Los Angeles. He was intrigued, but the trip was just going to be a visit.
"I wanted to check out the boxing scene," Louis said.
Older brother Costas, ever protective, saw his little brother struggling with his future. "He had trouble finding direction in his life," said Costas, who suggested he take up acting. Louis wasn't sure, but he remained interested.
Once in Los Angeles, Louis dropped by some of his brother's acting classes and liked what he saw but hesitated following his brother into a new profession. Louis decided to return to Australia, but fate intervened.
While waiting for a former girlfriend at a railway station in Melbourne, he got into an argument with a group of thugs. Angry, he tossed a brick through the windshield of their car. The chase was on, and the quick-footed Louis raced away from his pursuers.
That night he made a career decision. Goodbye Australia, hello Hollywood. "I got on a plane the next day. I left everybody and everything."
Like Costas, Louis' career moved quickly in Hollywood. First, he got a small role on "China Beach." Then came the Paramount film "Necessary Roughness," in which he again called upon his athletic skills to play an Australian recruited to play football.
"It was unbelievable," Costas said. "Louis had never even been on a film set and he got this role."
Meanwhile Costas' career was picking up speed, too. "L.A. Law" executive producer David E. Kelley offered him the role of Deputy Sheriff Kenny Lacos in "Picket Fences." Costas rejected the offer, preferring a career in feature films. But Kelley was relentless in trying to recruit the actor for the new CBS series.
"I didn't know who he was," Costas said, but was impressed after friends told him.
But he still hesitated. After James Caan and Armand Assante told him to take the role, he did.
Louis was busy, too. Fox offered him the role of Aldo, one of six single young adults who share a weekend house on the New Jersey shore in the comedy "Down the Shore." Louis grabbed the offer.
Costas is a fan of Louis, but he is ever the big brother. "He entertains me," Costas said, "as long as he doesn't get lazy."
Louis remains the admiring little brother. "I love his series," Louis said. "I can watch three or four shows in a row."