As a member of the Chicago Police Department’s tactical undercover unit in the 1960s, Corney Morgan posed as a drunk, a conventioneer and even a woman so he and his partners could arrest pickpockets and purse snatchers in high-crime areas.
“I would wear a dress, a black wig, size 11 tennis shoes and a chartreuse scarf. I played the woman because I was better looking than my partner,” said Morgan with a chuckle. “It could be scary, but it was fun. We had one of the highest arrest rates in the country.”
After working eight years as a bodyguard to the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, Morgan was promoted to sergeant. In 1974, he started a two-year stint as film coordinator for the City of Chicago. He’s retired now, but not idle. Employing skills honed during those days undercover, Morgan, like many other southwest suburban residents, works as a model.
The 62-year-old Palos Heights resident has been photographed for more than 1,500 magazine, trade journal and newspaper advertisements since he began modeling part time 20 years ago. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Morgan has appeared in television commercials, including a recent McDonald’s spot in which he posed as an assistant coach with former Boston Celtics great and current Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird. He also has had small roles in two movies, “Omen II” and “The Naked Face.”
“Modeling has variety, and it’s a chance to be creative. It helped me to put my kids through college and made life a little better,” Morgan said.
At the suggestion of a fellow police officer in the late 1970s, Morgan had professional photos taken for a model’s composite card, which lists his name, measurements, weight and hair and eye color. He sent them to several Chicago area agencies.
“My first call was from the owner of a Chicago agency. She asked, `Have you got good legs?’ I said no, but I have a nice (posterior),” Morgan said.
The owner laughed and arranged for a modeling job at a hospital. Morgan was photographed for an ad featuring an injured jogger in the emergency room (that day the agency also decided to shoot his touted backside for a bandage advertisement).
Since then, Morgan has been many people.
“I’ve done a lot of `fathers in lounge chairs’ and `working man’ shots,” he said. “I do lawyers and doctors.”
Morgan is one of a thousand models represented by Emilia Lorence Ltd. in Chicago and has been with the agency for 15 years. Agency representative Nick DeBok last year helped Morgan book a modeling job with Oak Brook-based McDonald’s Corp., and his photo appeared on the company’s fast-food bags in a nationwide campaign last fall.
“McDonald’s looks for that all-American face, and Corney happened to have it,” DeBok said.
“We cast to reflect our diversity of customer audience base across all demographics, and that includes the spectrum of age, nationality and gender,” said Briget Coffing, McDonald’s director of communications.
“The (modeling) field today is open to men and women of all ages. It looks easy, but an incredible amount of talent is necessary if you are to succeed,” said Joyce Niemann, owner of Fashions with Flair, an Oak Brook firm that produces bridal and ready-to-wear fashion shows.
Niemann, always on the lookout for new models, discovered Chicagoan Anthony Rago, 26, as he sang at a charity event last year.
“Anthony has a style that sets him apart. He has a great look,” Niemann said.
Rago briefly modeled clothing before attending college. He credits his cousin, Cathy Vekkos of Woodridge, who encouraged him to have his composite photos taken when he was in high school.
“I thought he was the perfect size for modeling and had good hair. He’s got an all-American look and a great smile. Everywhere he goes, heads turn,” Vekkos said.
The tuxedo-clad Rago received cheers, whistles and applause from an enthusiastic crowd as he danced on stage during one of Niemann’s recent bridal shows at Georgios D La Parco Banquet Facility in Orland Park.
“It’s fun,” Rago said. “The people I’ve met have been really nice.”
Niemann created Fashions with Flair 15 years ago while working in a boutique.
“Fashion shows are great entertainment. It’s very exciting, and it’s always changing,” Niemann said.
She produces more than 100 shows each year for charities, churches, schools, stores and designers in the Chicago area, Rockford, Milwaukee and Indianapolis.
Between 8 and 20 models participate in each show. Runway models, who must be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall, may earn from $75 to $300 per show. Models for photo shoots average $175 an hour.
“We’re extremely quality minded. Models have to have skills walking and pivoting and the ability to handle stage choreography,” Niemann said.
Niemann’s daughter Nichole D’Aprile of Burr Ridge began modeling at age 16. D’Aprile, now 27, opened Chicago Model Productions in Oak Brook in 1993 to train potential models. The company offers workshops and seminars to help men and women achieve the looks and skills sought by agencies.
“We’re not a school. We’re more of a consultant,” D’Aprile said. “It’s strictly for those who have the potential (to model) to get up to speed with models who’ve had 10 years of experience.”
Nancy Fraser is the talent director for Chicago Model Productions.
“When people call, I recommend that they come here and get an overview of the modeling industry. We can give them the tools so they can pursue their career,” Fraser said.
The agency offers a one-hour modeling business seminar limited to 10 attendees for $25 each.
Classes are limited to four to six students and are taught by experienced, working models.
“They get enough attention so that it’s worth their while,” D’Aprile said. Classes vary in price up to about $1,200 for a comprehensive 12-week program that includes study in runway, print and commercial work.
Ramona Bochenek of Calumet City has been a full-time model for seven years. She does several fashion shows each year for Chicago Model Productions and other agencies, often traveling across the country for modeling jobs.
“I’d always wanted to pursue my interest in modeling. It’s really fun,” Bochenek says. “I do runway work and trunk shows for retail stores and model designer clothes.”
Although she also models at trade shows, she said, “I like the runway the best. It’s live and exciting.”
Not all modeling jobs are glamorous. Five years ago, as Santa Claus for Sears’ Christmas catalogs, Morgan suited up in the jolly man’s heavy suit, hat and beard, which made him very hot and uncomfortable under the bright studio lights. And, now that Morgan’s a bit older, the products he appears with have changed.
“Recently, I’ve done ads for wheelchairs, medical walkers and grandpas,” Morgan said.
Age and maturity can work to a model’s advantage, however.
“People in their 30s have a better chance than younger models. The competition has decreased, and a lot of people aren’t able to do it full time,” Morgan said.
John Manieri, 34, of Chicago has modeled for 12 years.
“Some friends said I’d be great in it, and I gave it a shot,” Manieri said. He began runway modeling for the now-shuttered Peaches Boutique in Palos Heights while in college. After he finished his third year majoring in macroeconomics, Manieri quit school.
“I was doing really well modeling. It’s a lucrative business and fun if you apply yourself,” said Manieri, who models full time.
Besides runway work for Chicago Model Productions, Manieri does print work and models and narrates at trade shows. He recently worked at the Chicago Auto Show. Trade show narrators may earn $300 a day.
“The top narrators get $1,200 or more plus their hotel and travel,” Manieri added.
After a day at the auto show in Chicago, Manieri joined Rago and other models for the evening bridal show in Orland Park.
Like Morgan, Rago and Bochenek, Manieri’s composites are on file with several modeling agencies. Although there’s no charge to sign on, most agencies take 15 percent of the model’s fee when the agency lands a job.
“The rewards are good, but only the chosen few survive,” DeBok said. “It’s very competitive and not as easy as people think it is.”
“A lot of times you hear negative things about modeling,” Manieri said. “Go with legitimate agencies. You can start at any age, but the younger you begin, the more comfortable you’ll feel. If you believe in yourself and work hard, you can set and achieve any goal.”
