A double obituary for Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. and Roscoe Lee Browne.
While hundreds of actors die every year, I must admit that I'm truly sad to see only a few of them go. And that's because only a few make an impression on me. I make a habit of commemorating them with a short post -- click on the tag for "character actors" to see the others -- and I feel that Roscoe Lee Browne fits the bill.
His filmography is staggering, as he's appeared in almost every famous TV show made over a few decades. I "discovered" him as Dr. Barnabus Foster on The Cosby Show, a series that frequently made use of Broadway talent. (Browne won an Emmy for his guest appearance.) His rich voice was unforgettable, and my ears made the connection for the role that ironically gave him the most exposure: the unseen narrator in Babe. There are other actors with great voices -- James Earl Jones and Patrick Stewart come to mind -- but I can't think of one that could approach his warmth and whimsy. Roscoe Lee Browne was 81.NARRATOR: And though every single human in the stands or in the commentary boxes was at a complete loss for words, the man who in his life had uttered fewer words than any of them knew exactly what to say.
FARMER HOGGETT: That'll do, pig. That'll do.
Kurt Vonnegut happens to be one of the few famous people I have ever met, and strangely, I've met him twice. While I've not been a faithful reader since high school, it's still a mild shock to hear of his passing because his writings and career were shaped by the notion of survival. No one's indestructible, but Vonnegut came close.
He never advised a college graduating class to wear sunscreen, but did appear as himself in Back to School: JASON MELON: You got a major paper coming up on Kurt Vonnegut. You haven't even read any of the books.
THORNTON MELON: I tried. I don't understand a word of it.
JASON MELON: So, how you gonna write the paper, then?
KURT VONNEGUT: Hi, I'm Kurt Vonnegut. I'm looking for Thornton Melon.Kurt Vonnegut was 84. According to Wikipedia, he has an asteroid named in his honor, and his literary alter ego, Kilgore Trout, also died at the age of 84.
Bruno Kirby died this week from leukemia. He was 57.
His filmography included roles in City Slickers, Good Morning Vietnam, and The Freshman. But perhaps he's most beloved as Jess in a personal favorite, When Harry Met Sally... So I'm giving him props by using a picture of him carrying his most famous prop.
At the distinct risk of sounding cheesy, here's hoping he's resting his feet on that great wagon wheel, Roy Rogers, garage sale coffee table in the sky.
55 Fiction Friday has never read Jimmy Breslin, but that's not important.Rio was much older now, no longer a bird of paradise, and her shine had lost its luster. She was less visible on the beach and TV. Also, her five paramours had fallen off their boat and drowned.
Desperate and alone, she picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"Hello, this is Rhonda's Helpline."
"Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns."
Joining William Hootkins and Pat Morita in character actor heaven: Paul Gleason, who died over the weekend.
Gleason had an extensive career in film and TV, but is most recognizable for playing villain Clarence Beeks in Trading Places, principal Richard Vernon (pictured) in The Breakfast Club, and deputy chief Dwayne T. Robinson in Die Hard.
Back when John Hughes made great movies, he did a terrific job writing the Richard Vernon character. While most of his scenes with problem teen John Bender (Judd Nelson) were played for laughs, there's a lot of truth to the hopelessness that modern educators must face. And Paul Gleason's foul-mouthed portrayal is fantastic. He revisited the character in Not Another Teen Movie, where he got to spar verbally with a Judd Nelson look-alike.
Leave comments or your favorite Gleason character quotes here.
This sucks. People who matter keep dying.
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita died at his home here in Las Vegas last Thursday. He was 73. His most famous role was also his most acclaimed: as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, he was the first Asian-American to be nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor. (Interestingly, he lost to another Asian man: the late Haing S. Ngor, a Cambodian physician who made his acting debut in The Killing Fields. This must have been a little bittersweet, like when Will Smith lost a Best Actor Oscar in 2002 to Denzel Washington. Sadly, there are no other examples.) He would revisit the role of Mr. Miyagi in three more films. I don't know if he ever saw this off-Broadway musical, but at least he had the sense of humor to appreciate it.
He had a long and fruitful career, but heaven knows the kind of racism he must have endured in the stand-up comedy, television, and movie businesses when he got started. Aside from Mr. Miyagi, he was Arnold Takahashi, the restaurant owner on Happy Days, the voice of the emperor in both Mulan movies, and dozens of other supporting roles and guest appearances.
Oh, and he appears as Arnold in Weezer's "Buddy Holly" video.
Even in his later years, the man could enjoy a drink or two. I can't remember where I heard or read this story, but some lady recounted her brief meeting at a bar with the actor. Apparently he was drunk and hitting on her, and because of his fame she stayed and continued the conversation. Then, after pointing downward, he said "Whack on, whack off." She laughed and promptly left. (With a story that good, who cares if it's true?)
Rest in peace, Mr. Morita. I'll be practicing the crane technique in the backyard.
And now, a belated tribute to actor William Hootkins, who passed away October 23.
While you may not recognize him based on that head shot, you'll certainly recognize him in character. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, he played the Army official who assured Indiana Jones that they had "top men" working on the recovered Ark of the Covenant. Then, in Batman, he was the corrupt cop Lt. Eckhardt, advised by the Joker to "think about the future." But he was most famous for portraying the ill-fated Jek Porkins, aka Red Six, in the climactic raid against the first Death Star in Star Wars. Simply put, he was a big man who had small roles in big films.
Stay on target, Mr. Hootkins.
While hundreds of actors die every year, I must admit that I'm truly sad to see only a few of them go. And that's because only a few make an impression on me. I make a habit of commemorating them with a short post -- click on the tag for "character actors" to see the others -- and I feel that Roscoe Lee Browne fits the bill.
Kurt Vonnegut happens to be one of the few famous people I have ever met, and strangely, I've met him twice. While I've not been a faithful reader since high school, it's still a mild shock to hear of his passing because his writings and career were shaped by the notion of survival. No one's indestructible, but Vonnegut came close.
