Quite the Character

I'm just going to wait and see what DPirateR has to say about this before I even begin to make any considerations...

Mr. Peterman touches on a particularly interesting story in the history of the Academy Awards, the creation of the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress Oscars.  Gale Sondergaard, today most famous for her silent and forbidding performance as Bette Davis' nemesis in The Letter, was the first winner of the latter award for Anthony Adverse.  Walter Brennan won his first of three Supporting Actor awards for Come and Get It, thus becoming one of only four performers ever to win more than two (the others are Ingrid Bergman, Jack Nicholson, and the record-holding four-time winner, Katharine Hepburn).

But more interesting than the winning statistics themselves is the story of how (or, at least, one of the reasons) the award was provoked into existence in the first place.  In 1935, for the only time in Oscar history, three nominees from the same movie were nominated for Best Actor.  The movie was Mutiny on the Bounty and the nominees were Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone.  Everyone remembers the central struggle between Laughton and Gable but what about Tone?  He gave the show stealing performance as Lieutenant Byam, Fletcher Christian's right hand man in the mutiny.  He probably earned his nomination primarily thanks to his spellbinding speech at his court martial, in which he dressed down Captain Bligh for his morale-destroying antics.

Franchot Tone had been a founding member of New York's legendary Group Theatre and was the first artist in the company - which also included Lee J. Cobb, Clifford Odets, and Lee Strasberg - to go west and do movies.  But he wasn't a major star and his character, while show-stealing, didn't have the screen time to attract the votes needed to win the Oscar.  Moreover, it appears that the three nominees split the vote (the movie went on to win Best Picture) and Best Actor went to Victor McLaglen for his melodramatic turn in the John Ford's highly overrated (in my opinion) The Informer.

The following year, the Academy introduced the supporting category for its awards, having recognized that such performances as Laughton's and Tone's should not have to compete with each other.  Alas, Tone was never nominated again.  He did co-star with Laughton one more time in Laughton's last film, Advise and Consent, Otto Preminger's brilliant study of the U.S. Senate.

I realize that there is much more to say on the subject of character actors and character acting in general.  But bed time calls.  More later.

Acting itself is fascinating... We watch people pretending to be other people.  We don't know the actors and we only know the fictional characters as the play or film plays out.   If a person pretends to be a cook or a plumber in real life (and manages not to poison us or ruin our new carpeting) we pay them and promptly forget them.  If we met the pseudo-cook or faux-plumber in the mall we'd pass them by and never recognize them (though they were in our house!)  Not so actors!  

What is stranger yet is that we DO recognize actors that we've seen before.  And large numbers of people read about their 'real lives' (divorces, marriages, issues with illegal substances, illnesses, etc).  In fact, many people know more about these total strangers who they've simply seen act (their profession) than the people they work with on a daily basis.  (Think: how much do I know about the late Paul Newman, and how much do I know about my dentist?)

If you want to try an experiment, when someone mentions a 'famous actor' (Madonna, Peter Lorrie, Gene Hackman) simply say, 'Who?'  It's sort of fun, in a sick way, to see the responses....

Cuddles Sakall, Edward everett Horton...and in the moderns, Chris Cooper and Christopher LLoyd. I can see why Mr. Peterman said...I could go on and on. For his body work, I would have to say Walter Brennan might have been the quintessential character actor. But I could be wrong.

And George Sanders...just for his role in All About Eve

Honorable mention should be given to all those Japanese or Chinese American character actors who died for their country in numerous war movies. Being gunned down in planes, ships, etc. I agree on George Sanders, who always played Oscar Wilde in whatever movie he was in. I would add Charles Durning and J.T. Walsh for the moderns.

The best character of all time goes to my mother, Justie, to be so visually, spiritually, and physically close to an individual ..rest a relationship of adventure and wonderment. She the archietect at the age of 23, she studied television broadcasting; a few commercials in Hollywood; designed backdrops for Lewis movies in the early 50's; lived on Sunset and Pointsetta blvd, she didn't like earthquakes, volunteer for Pittsburgh WQED Neighborhood backdrops and castle design in the 50's; owned a grey Cadillac car with the points;designed the 1956 warm home that I reside; equipped with the cadillac of every feature that would be a 50's Admire; modern fireplaces w/ pitched ceiling hardwood floors; she liked girdles and fancy lacy slips;all built in Dinning Room cabinets ; Bedroom lined cedar cupboards; double pane PPG windows; she loved reading the oversized 50's/60's magazines on a Indian blanket; Bathroom features Crane fixtures just like Kentuck Knob; Frank Llyold ideas; she wore bikini's;built in: stovetop, mixer, milk delivery box built inside of kitchen so you can pull the milk, ice cream out that was delivered on from flagstone front porch; dumb waiter elevator to a seaside stero system bar with built in grill, Terraza kitchen floor ;she had gogo boots adn gogo earings;double GE oven, Pink (father calmess proof) kitchen theme appliances even a pink telephone; I have dial-up internet to this day! Marble tiles,  Doorway knobs placed in the middle of the door! Built in Vacuum system that has been a great toy gadget collector. Mother married at the 25 y.o.a.had 6 children, She told me, "that by the time she was 25 she had traveled the world and done everything, but was happiest having children and raising family,"... the house had a built in intercom system. Father a Entomologist/farmer/ urban and farmland designer laid organic soil for all gardening! My mother was encouraging, loving, and exceptionally kind, and a good caretaker; she was an avid snow skier and believed in recycling at her early age! We had to tie w/ wire tin juice cans in a circle to make stools and saw off 22 gunshot empty shells to use the copper to line table tops; Foremost she was a great equalizer of the distribution of wealth! Yesterday, I just opened a box labeled for me that contained weaved fabric and her silky negligees soft layered pink, blue chiffon and a beautiful nude chiffon floral 50's style, she was fun....and a great artist! Although, I mentioned happy things and postive compliments she had a hard life, too; she idealed that things for individuals that she cared about should be one way and things would fall into place easier - her expectations on family life were exceeded and crushed! So the emotional gladness, and the emotional sadness lead to a passionate life of faith and hope. Just like,  how we have fun on a seasaw; wear a helmet and hang on before you ride it! I love museums and water sports; I am a NAUI diver, Western trail rider trained under Sue Cardell a National Champion,  Downhill Snow Skier; I love the titles of the commentors on this site Neptune, Pirate, my NAUI instructor name was Marvin and Navy Seal at Arizona State University! I direct the Pittsburgh Victorian Gibson Girls and a writer of plays, espcially known for "Bearing Fruit" which showcased at venue at the Aldephi Hotel in Saratoga Springs New York.... way back already......I have three new books out and on ebay, White Buffalo Spirit, Honey For All, & Pittsburgh's Victoria ( will be giving a presentation in December at  a local museum so I have interest in fashion and newsy news... I enjoy reading.I noted in my reading of this Peterman's eye comment listing that someone mentioned Kevin Smith, the new famed director and actor, but let me tell you where I am thinking; I ran down with my son, who was 8 y.o.a. @ the time-down to see this movie take for the film Dogma (they said a movie scene shot was going on downtown); so there I was in a small line with hair stylist from the local beauty school .....and when it came my turn to get an autograph; I asked the actor, I am so sorry, but what is your name ; he replied Kevin Smith and I had my herbal business card for him to sign and aplogized to him that I did not know who he was! So, I do not know everything......In another comment list reading I wanted to comment.....Always remember, Native Americans are comprised of 639 Nations. (generalize) Misnomer to classify all Native Americans as one solitary group; I visited the National Museum of Native American History in Washington D.C., too and Pennsylvania was not mentioned. Our state of Pennsylvania is rich in Native Amercian histoy and many citizens are Native American: Shawnee, Blackfoot, Iroquois, Lenape, Cherokee, and etc.. The Shawnee langauge of our region of southwest Pennsylvania is beautiful ex. Amahqua for Beaver, Alligewi - Allegheny River, Conemaugh River is Guanammochk for Long Beaver there was no word for otter.Also, an ideal of interest, My grandparents owned a Polo farm in Kentucky and my grandmother died at the age of 28 Fench and I need to get to Kentucky to visit her grave site;I enjoyed reading the the news articles and comments of other members, Thank you, Olivia and others for your welcome notes; Thank you for the kind comment, PeterLake. Kindest Regards! Gustina Bigbee!

I am positively stunned that I found this online.  I would have gone through any amount of trouble to acquire the linked file for you all,  my confidants.  As it is, there is a fellow named Jeff for whom I now have a high level of admiration.  Well done, Jeff, my boy!!!

Now to the point.  There is one luminous character actor who will forever reside at the Head Table in Odin's High Hall.  That man is, no surprise, to be found in my favorite movie of all time.  The movie I hope to be watching nigh unto my own passing from this world.  The movie that my children will be able to recite with me as they study the canon of modern ethical study - Python, Izzard, Carlin, and this, the shining gem in the diadem of all morality tales:  Joe vs.  the Volcano.

I offer to you all, the Luggage Man.

http://digitalstevenson.com/jeff/blog/media/2008/04/luggage.mp4

Jonathan Isles, I have 3 words for you...Cake or Death!

My Love for old movies was nurtured while I was in High School & by the time I graduated I was in LOVE with Black & White, Evening gowns & the Supporting Actors that had all the good onliners.  Gia mentions 2 of My Favorites in her First post Cuddles Sakall & Edward Everrett Horton....Eve Arden talking about Alligators eating their young in Mildred Pierce there are many Famous Lead actors that just can't pull those roles off. Some of my favorite Chracter acting Females are Thelma Ritter & Billie Burke (yes Galinda form Oz) You just can't get beat Ritters remarks in Rear Window & The Mating Game. Billie Burke who was quite smart plays the dithering idiot to a T in the Topper Films, Look Who's coming to Dinner & I LOVE her in Merrily We Live.   

My paternal grandfather was a character actor in the early 1930's.  He was usually cast in small rolls as the gangster or villain.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922503/

He was kind of a crap weasel so we don't really talk about him much in our family.

One of my oldest Friends in the world went to school about 3 hours form the Mall of America in MN. I went to visit her & this little shop had in its window this poster, it had EVERYBODY that was anyone in the Classic Films was in this poster. I HAD to HAVE IT.  Walked into the store told the sales guy I wanted that t poster. He looked at me & said you don't know who the half of those people are. GF chuckled & said I Dare you to bet her. I missed 2 people out of the 20 or so that are on it. I'm embarrassed to say the 2 I missed were Claude Raines & Peter Lorre.  (I did know what film they were being portrayed from though)  Sales Guy was impressed enough though to honor the bet though & I bought the poster for 1/2 off.   It was a print of George Bungarda's Play It Again.  I had it framed & it has hung in my home every since. The guy who framed it displayed it in his shop until I got there to pick it up he had customers that offered between $250 -$300 for it. Thankgoodness He knew because of HOW I got it I would NEVER sell it. The women who Really wanted it came in the day I went to pick it up & offered me $300 for it. I couldn't do it I was SO happy that I FINALLY "KNEW" these Hollywood actors that I couldn't & can't part with it. It's kind of my validation of being a REAL FAN. rather than a I watched & own Casablanca because its #1 on the AFI list.  Iwill say that I never realized how much those prints are really worth until a few years ago when I was looking for another one. They are hard to find & when you do find them they seem to be expensive.    

Nachista - Cake please. I do hope you're not out of cake.

You all know how I feel about Nora Ephron. She's so good a dialogue. I really think part of the magic, is that she often gives the most poignant lines to 'character actors.' One of the best lines of dialogue in  her movies, I believe, is  delivered by the man in the photograph above in You've Got Mail.

Tom Hanks is asking (only half-heartedly) Steve Zahn about a vintage children's book for sale in Ryan's Shop Around the Corner. Zahn's character, obviously apathetic and jaded about most things in life, clearly has a passion for children's literature. The character is very charming.

He is trying to express the fine detail of the hand-tipped (I believe) illustrations in the book and all Hanks can look at is the price. The exchange is so quick and subtle, but resonates the theme of the entire movie.

Hanks: (After hearing about the illustrations and looking, shocked, at the price tag) And that's why it costs so much? (Not so much a question—wholly—more of a presumption)

Zahn: (Grabbing it back protectively—which totally makes the scene, btw) No, that's why it's worth so much. 

Beautiful. Like Mr. Peterman said, his timing is perfect. Usually in comedic delivery. But this time it's perfect at nailing the sincerity. Also, his lack of piety. It's just a fact to him. Not a moral.

If you're a purist or a romantic, "a lone reed, standing tall, waving boldly in the corrupt sands of commerce," (a Greg Kinnear line, who is also fantastic), this line will get you through the jaded days.  Or it will get your arse in gear and remind you that you should be selling something you think is WORTH the price.

My favorite woman character actress, non-glamour girl, and most memorable female villain, would have to be Margaret Hamilton. You may remember her as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz. To this day, when I watch her releasing those flying monkeys and hear her evil laugh, I still shiver. Didn't she just make that film!?

She also made dozens of other movies, among them: My Little Chickadee starring W. C. Fields and Mae West, You Only Live Once with Henry Fonda, and People Will Talk with Cary Grant. Later in life, she was also in The Addams Family, where she played Morticia's mother, Hester. Her stages performances included productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Show Boat, and Oklahoma! On television, she acted in daytime soap operas; guest starred on programs, such as Gunsmoke; and, for awhile, she even portrayed a general store owner in Maxwell House coffee commercials.

I doff my pointed witch's hat to her and her broad range of supporting roles.

I think that One of today's BEST Character Actors happens to be John C Reilly ~ He was in Gangs of NY, Chicago, The Good Girl & Hours all basically within the same year.

Yet they weren't really minor roles that he played in any of those films.  It breaks my heart when he sings Celophane in Chicago.... Even if the film is bad he captures the role SO well that you end up liking the parts of the film that he was in regardless.   

Tiberius we are all out of cake, we only had 3 pieces and didn't expect such a rush.  Your choice is now "or Death".

Kindlee, I LUFF "People Will Talk", and Margaret Hamilton was brilliant as the nosey cleaning lady.

Ring!

Reilly rocks. Just saw The Promotion. Thought it was really actually deep. Interesting and dark.

Do you know Brule's Rules? "Sweet Berry Wine?" Am laughing out loud just typing that.

You all MUST see this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ORyzAhXzlQ

"Jenny. . . ." 

nachista,

I agree. 

P.S. The cake is a lie.

Cake!  Cake brings people together (track this leap).  You could hate some guy's guts, and hear it's his birthday.  "Oh, I hate that guy," you say.  But there's cake in the conference room.  "I should stop by and say hello..."

Struggling to comment on both topics at once, I humbly submit:

"For me the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."~Alfred Hitchcock

Jonathan,

You are spot on about the power of cake.

To take your "Cake" theory a step further, I personally blame Cake, with an assist from Krispy Kreme donuts, for the downfall of the telecom industry and the offshore outsourcing of software engineering. These foods have been used as bait to lure once productive software engineers into conference rooms where all good ideas and work ethics are then sucked into a black hole and lost forever.

Perhaps it was just the conference rooms and endless meetings? Probably any free food would accomplish that in an office environment.

But once again, I digress.......

My nominees for my favorite character actors in supporting roles are:

Eli Wallach, Madeline Kahn, Alan Rickman, Michael Caine, Stellan Skarsgard (whose name alone qualifies him), Stanley Tucci, Herbert Lom, William Mac(even though he creeps me out a bit at times), William Hurt, and Chief Dan George and Harvey Kietel.

oh, I forgot Holly Hunter and of course, The Monster from 'Alien' and Peter Boyle.....

William Macey that is

nachista,

He died in a horse polo accident, just shy of 32? Is your pic the dashing Gordon Westcott? Whoever it is looks to be quite the ladies man.

Mention cake around here and everyone suddenly appears ;) 

I'll have the chocolate babka, please. Everyone knows the cinnamon is the "lesser babka".

Meanwhile back in the...

J. PETERMAN LUNCHROOM

Elaine and several co-workers stand around a table which has a cake sitting on it.

ALL (singing): Happy birthday to you.

WALTER: Thanks.

Everyone claps.

FEMALE WORKER: Elaine, cake?

ELAINE: Uh, no, thanks.

FEMALE WORKER: It's Walter's special day.

ELAINE: You know, there are 200 people who work in this office. Every day is somebody's special day.

Elaine takes a piece of cake and makes her way to the door, but is stopped as a male worker carrying a cake enters.

MALE WORKER: Elaine! Where're you going? It's Walter's last day. We have to celebrate.

ELAINE: It's his birthday and it's his last day?

MALE WORKER: This is other-Walter, from returns.

Other-Walter enters followed by more co-workers.

OTHER-WALTER: Hey, what's going on here?

ALL: Surprise!

OTHER-WALTER: Oh guys.

Elaine tries to leave, but other-Walter stops her.

OTHER-WALTER: Elaine, it's my last day. Have a piece.

ELAINE: All right, pile it on.

Kindlee, the profile pic is him.  Unfortunately none of my siblings, or me for that matter, inherited the tall, dark, and handsome genes. 

He was playing polo with Walt Disney and some friends when his horse fell and rolled over him, he was in a coma for a couple days and then died on Halloween, 1935.  It wasn't a big loss, he had only been back to Utah twice since my father was born and he never sent child-support or alimony to my grandmother.  My grandmother paid for their divorce entirely out of her own pocket, because he wouldn't ever send the cash he promised.  He was a crap weasel but grandma would never let us say anything bad about him when she was around.

I need budget-safe christmas gift ideas. 

I'm giving my parents the gift of snow-shovelling all winter, for christmas.  All my siblings are grown and married so we all agreed no gift exchange this year and I'm giving my nieces and nephews a sleep over at my house for their gift, all I have to pay for is 2 large pizzas.  

Now we just have to figure out a free/cheap idea for sir boyscout's parents, sister/bro-in-law/niece, and grandparents.

I hate being a cheap-skate on the holidays, but normally I can think of really good cheap/free gifts, this year...nothing.

I'm selling my motorycle to pay some bills, so if any of you are looking for a used 2000 Yamaha V-Star 650 custom with low miles, let me know.

My vote is a little biased.  Harry Dean Stanton (KY) was almost my Father-in-law.  He is an incredible actor (Cool Hand Luke, The Godfather, and about 200 other films and even more television appearances).  Dean and my Mother-in-law is another story.  Anyway... I also think Alan Covert (Adam Sandler films +) is an awesome character actor.  Have known him since he was a wild child in Palm Beach, FL.  I really think most so-called character actors are extremely talented and don't recieve the kudos they truly deserve, although, I think it may be of their own choosing.  As for Steve Zahn (KY. by marraige) (National Security, Saving Silverman, Daddy Day Care just to name a few)...I understand he is as entertaining in person as he is in films.  Very, very, talented young man.  There are several female character actresses that I enjoy watching but unfortunately can't remember any of their names. I respect and admire all of the characters actors.  I was once an extra in a movie (Bluegrass 1988) and it was HARD work.  15 hour days at $40.00 bucks a day.  The only saving grace was I got to meet Cheryl Ladd, Brian Kerwin, and Anthony Andrews.  They were all very pleasant.  Sorry I can't say the same for a few of the other actors in the movie.  Although, I don't think I am cut out to ever be an actress, my husband claims I could win an award for best actress when I spend too much on the credit cards. 

nachista,

Dying the way he did, I'd say the weasel got his comeuppance.

Caring, thoughtful gifts, that come from the heart, are not cheap. They are the most precious kind!

I'll try to think of something. (Funny, but my daughter-in-law asked me about Christmas gifts just this morning. I didn't have an answer for her, either.)

Nachista ~ Your Grandmother still respected what she had with him. She also respected herself, I can see why she woud not put up with anyone bad mouthing him.

Nachista, I've got a similar "Good, he's dead" story.  My mother married a total SOB when I was young.  Their marriage failed, thankfully.  But for the years after I turned into a grown up, and could competently judge how another "adult" had behaved toward the children in his charge, I learned to nurse a deep and satisfying hatred of the man.  Then, one day, like a gift from the internet gods, I Googled upon his obituary.  Died of protracted lung cancer.  What a surpisingly good and comforting feeling overcame me then, as if I was warming myself before the flaming embers of his damned soul.  

Nachista - I don't want death. I'll have...the chicken.

Tiberius,

Might I suggest a lovely Chardonnay to go with your choice?

Ok Tiberius, lucky for you we're CofE.  Next, welcome to church of England airlines...

Rings I think it was that my grandmother didn't like contention and she knew it upset my father to here about him.  Myrthus left her just a few days after they were married and she didn't hear from him for 2 years after that...when he did write it was to tell her that he was engaged and could she be so kind as to file for divorce and take care of all that.

Such a busy day with Mr. Pitt. Have missed a lot.

Whose cake?

Who died, Nachista?

And mostly, what the feck is a character actor? I feel like all the names listed have played plenty of lead roles? Am not challenging. Genuinely confused. So is it anyone not in a title role? What about an ensemble cast? And what if they're non-title, but 'out of character?' Am I over-thinking this? Have I had too much tea again? Entirely possible.

Basically, I love it when I'm excited about a movie, and then I see that someone not titled, is in it and I think, "Oh, even better!"

I like people who make me laugh even when they're not speaking. Love that. Not because they're funny looking, just because they're that funny in general. Their expressions, their posture, their pauses. . .

John Tuturro, Tim Conway, McLovin' in Superbad, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, Rob Reiner, Judy Greer, John C. Reilly. God. So many.

Just watched Something About Mary last night. Remember Magda? Mighty tan girl.

Kindlee,

Picture—stunning. Stunning. Love the colors, too. 

Missive, it was my grandfather that died, in 1935.

Everybody's cake, cake is good.

THE LIFE OF A CHARACTER ACTOR

As a kid, I had performed some chorus roles in a few community theatre musicals and even had some nice supporting speaking parts like Jerome in South Pacific and The Jester in Once Upon a Mattress.  But my work as a genuine, bona fide character actor did not begin until after my arrival in New York.

I had come to town at 18 to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, training ground of Kirk Douglas, Anne Bancroft, Edward G. Robinson, Colleen Dewhurst, Judd Hirsch, Grace Kelly, Charles Durning, Lauren Bacall, Cecil B. DeMille, and others.  It was a two-year program with the second year by invitation only.  44 out of 117 people were invited back for the second year.  I was not one of them.  My parents encouraged me to come back to Missouri and pursue another line of work.  I refused.

After a few one-night staged readings of some original plays, my first real job as an actor came in 1994 when the American Theatre of Actors on 54th Street did a production of Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 1.  I played several roles including the messenger who opens the play as he tells the English lords of the failing war in France.  It was, like SO MANY others, a non-paying job.  But it meant experience, connections, and a legitimate gig to go at the top of a resume.  And I had the time of my life.

By the end of 1994, I had not been out of work for more than a month at a time and had scored my first paying job as an actor, in a three play contract at the Fantasy Playhouse on Long Island.  I played Mortimer in The Fantasticks, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, and the Prince of Verona in Romeo and Juliet.  And soon, the trouble started.

A lot of people assume that acting is easy and doesn't require much real work.  They fail to appreciate that the hardest part of all is making it look easy.  No, scratch that; that's the second hardest part.  The hardest part is putting together twelve straight months of work in any given year.  This is a very difficult business.

In early 1996, I was hired to perform in a national tour of Beauty and the Beast (not the Disney version) in the role of the Beast's butler.  This was the break I was waiting for because it meant I would be eligible to get my Actors Equity Association card.  After two weeks on the road, I was informed that I was fired.  When I asked the reason, I was told "According to the way the contract is written, we are not required to give a reason".  To this day, I have been given no clue as to why I was discharged.  Later, I heard the stage manager from that production had been treated the same way the following year.  No Equity card.

Because of my discharge from the tour, I happened to be in town (I, otherwise, would not have been) when Barbara Streisand was shooting The Mirror Has Two Faces.  Six days of extra work on that film made me eligible for my Screen Actors Guild card.  I have been a SAG member for twelve years.  But extra work is no way to get ahead.  I was still auditioning for speaking roles.

Along came a chance when a young man was holding auditions for an independent movie set in ancient Rome.  I was cast in a juicy villain part as the owner of a gladiator school (very much in the vein of Peter Ustinov in Spartacus or Oliver Reed in Gladiator).  A week before shooting began, financing fell through and the shoot was cancelled.  Back to square one.

By 1998, I had spent six years doing various day jobs to stay alive while plugging away at my acting career.  Out of the blue, I got a call from the director of a Brooklyn production of The Three Musketeers.  They had fired their original Cardinal Richelieu and a friend of mine in the show had recommended me for the part.  I auditioned and was hired on the spot (hence my current profile pic).  At the first rehearsal, I met a young woman who introduced herself and declared she was playing my spy.  During the production, we became one of three backstage romances (a very popular practice).  We were the only one to survive closing curtain and, now, we have been married for over seven years.  The producer of the play was also the pastor of the church in which the theatre was located.  He married us.

At any rate, this has all gone on too long but I'm sure you get the point.  Acting is a very challenging life and you have to love every minute of it in order to make it worth while.  I have always believed in the notion that, if you ask, "Should I be an actor?" the answer is no.  You should never have to ask.  You need to know.  If you can be happy doing something else, do that other thing.  Acting should be left to those who can't possibly be happy doing anything else.  For the longest time, that was me.  Then, when I discovered the tourism trade, I found myself in the position to take my own advice.

Later, when my daughter is in school, I hope to go back to acting.  After all, Jim Broadbent said "When you're a character actor, nothing will happen until you're 35.  After that you'll work forever."  Well, I've got one more year to go!

Nachista,

Just read. Very sad. Even if he was crap weasel-y. Very sorry. 

And what about characters like Owen Wilson or Jack Nicholson, who often play lead, but always play the same guy?

It's time for me to go home and eat something. Night, all.

PeterLake,

Holly Hunter. Yes! Love her voice. Oooh. Francis McDormand. Is she character? Whatev. She's just plain great. 

I am the character actor in the screenplay of my life.

Because of fate, I have a Cousin who is an Actress, and who shall go nameless because everyone would recognize who she is immediately ... and this is not about Name Dropping cuz I am simply commenting ....... Because of my Cousin's generosity with her time and influence, I have met a number of fine Actors and Actresses and have found that it is the, "STARS" who get full of themselves and the Character Actors all seem to be down-to-earth folks who are just glad to be working ... Each of them that I have met has been delightful and most of them fairly different from the Characters they usually play ... I have been delighted also by many who I have never met, because they were before my time and opportunity ... Like Ned Sparks, Joe Penner, Rags Ragland and Allen Jenkins ... These guys lend credibility to the character of the Stars, and they have develped a sense of timing that is as recognizable as their voices ... I also enjoyed William Demarest, William Bendix, and Eugene Pallette ... Probably the most recognizable Character Actor to span three or four generations would be a toss-up between Walter Brennan and William Demarest ... I remember thinking a time or two while growing up and seeing them on screen, 'Is He Still Alive?'  But each and every one of them has endured beyond the majority of the Stars, and all my Grandchildren crack up at their antics just like I did, back in the Stone Age .......

Cardinal Richelieu ~ One of my Favorite Historical Villians.....

OMG!  Kindlee, is that you in the picture?  After the way you have described yourself, I would never have expected someone so young and beautfiul!  I am stunned!

DPR,

Practicing for that Academy Award, are we? *blush* I have lived beyond the half-century mark, you know.

DPR,
Thank you.

The first character actor who comes to mind (and he was a character) is Marty Feldman.  I cannot hear the name Igor without seeing him in Young Frankenstein.  That image of his amazing face conjures up another actor with wonky eyes, Jack Elam.  Both are departed but left indelible images in the scenes they were in. 

Nachista's grandfather might inspire Mr. Peterman to delve into those family skeletons we all have tucked away, somewhere. 

I think it was Douglas Adams that said: Humans are not proud of their ancestors, and rarely invite them round to dinner.

Ramdoride,

Marty Feldman was indeed an absolute treasure in Young Frankenstein . . . "what hump?". I also thought that he truly shined in The Last Remake of Beau Geste   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R5TpjFO0UQ

A "supporting role" performance that I really enjoyed was by Paul Giamatti in the move The Illusionist.  He has performed well in all the movies I have seen him in; even in some of the stinkers.

Albert Finney is another great talent who's work I applaud.

There are so many great talents who have worked so very hard to be appreciated.  Those who put their best efforts onto the large-than-life silver screen to either be cheered or criticized by their audiences.

...... and then, who could possibly overlook the efforts of the poor dog that's always getting whacked by a board in the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.

ok, just annudder one  In the catagory of great sidekicks of the small screen I submit the One, the Only, Sanitation Engineer Hall of Famer and Member of the Raccoon Lodge ....... Ed Norton.

...or the chicken hawk.

...or Deputy Barney Fife.

PeterLake,

You are right about Albert Finney. He was the making of Miller's Crossing.

I was about to sit down and comment meaningfully about Edgar Buchanan; Walter Brennan and Barry Fitzgerald when it dawned on me that the date is our anniversary: Hours to do something that looked months in the making.

I think I did it.

The number? Well, it is the same as the number of ginger headed sailors in Bertie Wooster's song. That's a lot of swabbies.

DPR,

I don't know if you know it but Broadbent was in a film in which he drowns his sons in a pond. It gave me nightmares for a week. He must have been good.

Stoney,

Happy Anniversary, and nice recovery to save the day.

Loved "Miller's Crossing", I cannot change the channel whenever I hit upon it.  Another lesser know Finney work was in the movie "Big Fish" that I also enjoy so much.

sorry about the worse than usual grammer today, I can't seem to ralk tight...

This place was better when fewer (lesser) folks knew of it.........

NEAR MISS part 5

Chicago. A million stories in the Chill...cold, blowy, and wet today. Lakeshore Drive is busy, and so am I. But first, I have to get outside and move a little. I dressed warmly and put on my running shoes, in case I got ambitious. Down the elevator to the lobby, popped out the front door while the nice man held it for me, straight into the teeth of a howler off the lake that actually pushed me backwards for a second. I gritted my teeth and resisted, rounded the corner onto LSD and down the footpath by the poor bent trees. As Granda Conor would've noted, with a weather eye across the Irish Sea, the white horses were racing in. The wind whipped the waves, and all of the crazy joggers too. I growled and put my head down into my wooly scarf, trying to distract myself. Lots of people out. Chugged down by the park, towards Northwestern. I wanted to have a look at Navy Pier, since I'd been away awhile. There was a particular spot that had some good memories.

I went left on East Grand, passed the Tower going well, and nosed on down to the Pier. I decided to sprint the last bit, and so put my arse right into it, and pulled up huffing just past the entry. Two women were there as well, one running in place, the other obviously done. They appeared to be having a difference of opinion. They might have been sisters, and the dark-haired one looked very familiar, her ponytail bobbing as she marked time in exasperation. I couldn't hear their conversation well enough (yes, I eavesdrop-don't you?), but Miss Runner was clearly attempting to bring Miss Finished round to her plans. Lots of arm waving, something about a dress, a picture, and JP. Wait a tick-did she say JP? No, couldn't be. Couldn't be the SAME JP anyway...

I had been nosing about amongst the literature on coincidences, improbability drives, and juxtapositions. I re-read some Conan Doyle. Guess what? Anything is possible. ANYTHING. I looked up-no OVNIs. Lines kept running through my head:

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

This last while, a lot of improbable things had been happening. The quote continues:

It is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you.

Well, I didn't recognize any danger, unless weirdness in your life is dangerous, but I wasn't concerned. I did feel rather stupefied, or something very like, at times. A most unusual, rare, and distressing sensation. All my clever thoughts on intimate design flew out of my head like hens from a fox. I'm sure I was the very spit and image of a simpleton, standing and staring about me distractedly. Fortunately, no one took any notice, so there was that.

Oh, dear-look at the time! I had a meeting in under an hour, at the Drake. I sped off, leaving the lassies to their debate.

An hour later, Sarita and I were seated in a conference room with lots of guys and two young women, all in black, all texting and talking on cell phones, wearing sunglasses, indoors. No accounting for taste, I suppose. I looked at Sarita. She rolled her eyes and snapped open the sample case. We began spreading lingerie on the table, and suddenly the weather changed in the room.

"Gotta go"

"Talk to you later"

Clickety click pop.

Wonderful how black lace, white silk, and scarlet ribbons concentrate the male mind, isn't it? Instant conferences, lots of head scratching and chin-rubbing.

From the back of the room a woman stepped forward with her cell phone held up. I hadn't noticed her before. She wasn't wearing any black. She took several pictures, and then she got busy on her phone while I answered questions for a few minutes.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, please." The woman was speaking, her firm contralto slicing through the bee-buzz of the counterculture.

Sarita held up a hand for silence. "Yes, can I help you?"

"My client wishes me to inform you that he would like the lot, please. Could I have your card? We'll be contacting you shortly."

She took my card from Sarita and left the room, after thanking us. That one had good manners, at least.

The rest looked at one another. "First the dress ladies at the museum, now this. That dude gets around," one of the guys said, ruefully.

"There's cake in The Gold Coast Room, at the Character Actors' Convention-let's go!" somebody exclaimed, and we were alone.

Sarita and I looked at each other, simultaneously intoning "Cake at the Drake!", followed by a fit of giggles.

"I'd say this calls for a brunch, with lashings of mimosas, Sarita."

"Yes indeed. Oh, did you want this? The lady left it for you." She handed me a white book, like a catalog, with pictures on the cover, royal octavo sized. I looked at it briefly and dropped it into my big bag, the one I call The Black Hole.

Owner's Manual? I arched an eyebrow.

Fascinating...

200,

The earth in general, or Peterman's Eye in particular?

Pam-Great pic, dear! We grown-up women can still work it, and you're living proof! Just one more grand thing about you. So glad you're here.

I say the more People of Good Will in this place, the better.

Olivia,

I love your statement:  "I rounded the corner onto LSD."

Yes, the more, the more better. And that includes *drum roll* the ONE, the ONLY....
JESSICA-YAYYYYYYY!!!
I, too, read back regularly, and that was a GREAT POST, sistah. You are WELCOME here, if my word doth signify. And it does. Pam (Kindlee) blew me away right off the bat, and you are cut of the same interesting cloth. So...
Get up offa that thang, and dance til you feel better
Get up offa that thang, and try to release the pressure
I like the cut of your jib...

More format weirdness. Now no italics, bold, or underline, but single spacing returns.
Tis Passing strange...

Thanks, Robert. I wanna ride your tour bus.

Sorry, Olivia.  I'm a happily married man.

Olivia,
Another very enjoyable installment to your tale. You're a very "good read". Looking forward to part VI.

I too liked the LSD reference, one of my all-time favorite songs.....

"There's a road I'd like to tell you about, lives in my hometown.
Lake Shore Drive the road is called and it'll take you up or down.
From rags on up to riches, fifteen minutes you can fly.
Pretty blue lights along the way help you right on by.
And the blue lights shining with a heavenly grace, help you right on by.

And there ain't no road just like it, anywhere I've found.
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town.
And just slipping on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound.

And it starts up north in Hollywood, water on the driving side.
Concrete mountains rearing up throwing shadows just about five.
Sometimes you can smell the green if your mind is feeling fine.
There ain't no finer place to be than running Lake Shore Drive.
And there's no peace of mind or place you'll see, like riding on Lake Shore Drive.

And there ain't no road just like it anywhere I've found.
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town.
And just slipping on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound.

It's Friday night and you're looking clean, too early to start the rounds.
A ten minute drive from the Gold Coast back, make sure you're pleasure bound.
Then it's four o'clock in the morning and all the people have gone away.
Just you and your mind and Lake Shore Drive, and tomorrow is another day.
And the sunshine's fine in the morning time, tomorrow is another day.

And there ain't no road just like it anywhere I've found.
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town.
And just snaking on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNSmAl7hF0

Olivia,

As always, the continuing story is superb. Just when you said: "Wonderful how black lace, white silk, and scarlet ribbons concentrate the male mind, isn't it?" I immediately thought 'perhaps even more than cake' - then, you worked in the cake! Simply wonderful. The Owner's Manual and The Hitchhiker's Guide together in your "big bag, the one I call The Black Hole"...and one can't imagine what else might be lurking in there...mmmmm...no telling what may happen next. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Speaking of next chapters, us "grown-up women" still have a lot of writing to do, in between crunches! I'm providing this video link to a 93 year old woman who, at 87, drove herself to a Kansas City Dance Hall looking for a dance partner. She's still dancing. I plan on dancing for my 100th and methinks you share that philosophy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4606161n%3fsource=search_video

PeterLake,

Thank you for that link - great song. I'm not a Chicago native but a rural New England girl. I met my husband at Purdue and the weekend he drove me up to 'his' city, for the first time, is an indelible memory. I can clearly recall my 1st time on LSD, seeing the giant red Magi-Kist lips, and cruising Lower Wacker Drive. Extraordinary place. One evening, when we are all waxing nostalgic, I'll continue the story of my first visit to the big city, naive girl that I was - Chicago police, scaling the side of a building, a service revolver through an open window...

Cue Clapton and Sweet Home Chicago: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmEBTUbaWjA&NR=1

Kindlee,
Thank you in kind for Sweat Home Chicago featuring our very own "Buddy Guy" as well as Eric what's his name ;). I look forward to the rest of your story as well. I do hope your memory of the police and service revolvers in the windy city doesn't include my brother who was on the force during your first visit.

The Magic-Kist lips are as much a part of our landscape as our tallest skyscrapers. There may still be a few pairs of lips greeting commuters.

p.s., I hope everyone has their towel handy.

Robert-You are a VERY BOLD MAN.

Pam-We are SO on the same wavelength! Thanks for the kind words. I crunch every morning, walk or run in the evening. Weights about 3 times a week. I can tell you look after yourself too. Feel free to email me anytime if you like-I've entered my address here a couple of times, but if you need it, you got it.

I'm still the same size I was in high school, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and everything was black and white (my kids used to ask me that-'was everything black and white when you were little?' Yes, dear, and it was awful dodging the brontosauri on the way to school...)

Peter, you and Pam (and Robert, naughty boy) must know that encouragement will only lead to more bad behaviour (writing). The Black Hole does indeed contain multitudes. I have to dump it out and sort through it every so often, and wonderment at the contents always ensues.

I'm thinking Chicago would be a great place for an Eyester Convention. Centrally located, part of so much of our shared mythology. What fun that would be! I'd wear my Eyester bonnet...

Olivia,

"Peter, you and Pam (and Robert, naughty boy) must know that encouragement will only lead to more bad behaviour (writing)."

We're counting on it, my dear.

Bold, and silver-tongued too.

...with my towel clenched tightly in my fist...for galactic travel, breathless anticipation of NEAR MISS part 6, and workouts!

Olivia,

Our routines sound quite similar. However, I had to greatly curb the running part due to a badly sprained MCL, from skiing, last winter. Because of that, I added balance exercises and about 10 miles, on a stationary bike, twice a week. I still walk (4-5 miles), do weight training, and crunches, 3 times a week. The weekends are usually rest times but I often go orienteering (average course length about 3 -5 km). I have to wear a soft brace for my knee in the woods but I have no desire to quit or slow down. I'll play some racquetball, too - even by myself - though I'm not very good. When dinosaurs roamed the earth, BC (before children), my feet were 2 sizes smaller. Kids! The rest is about the same size, except I may have more muscle now ;)

I am continually in awe of our congruence, Pam. I had to wear a brace for a while, and cut down my running. Now I mostly walk, bike, and I used to swim, but I'm unhappy with the local pool at the moment. Exercise is my kinetic therapy. I get really cranky if I can't MOVE. I've traded my small amount of fat for lots of lean muscle mass. I look smaller but weigh more. I sure feel the cold more, though. BRRR!

My kids are grown and independent-HALLELUJAH!

I just have one son, out of the 3, still in school. Senior in college. Sometimes I like to think they still 'need me', but basically they don't. More and more I'm enjoying being independent Pam.

I, too, can get quite grumpy, if I don't exercise. It's not a pretty sight so I keep moving!