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Posted: |
Nov 25, 2015 - 5:53 AM
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By: |
Tall Guy
(Member)
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Jim: "...there are really no artists I admire outside of their work."
Which I thought was an interesting comment. I thought of my favourite artists in all fields, and actually found a fair bit to admire. Nobody is perfect, of course, and god knows we've seen enough fallen idols in the UK to last a lifetime (although I never much liked any of them, to be honest, look up Operation Yew Tree for more details).
Sporting "heroes" in particular tend to be selfish and single-minded to the point of obsession, and only perhaps allow themselves to let up a bit upon retirement. And I have heard first hand stories of people who have a friendly persona in public who are actually appalling in private, or when they know the camera isn't on them.
Without any need to go into details at this point, the more I've learned about Dmitri Shostakovich (come on, you knew he was going to be mentioned) the more I admire him. That in turn has added to my already significant appreciation of his works, to the point where I find his life and music inseparable.
He's my best example, although I might also mention Haruki Murakami and Ennio Morricone, both of whom I'm sure have had their grumpy moments, but both seem to be artistically dedicated and sincere, and wear the trappings of their success without excessive hauteur.
Who are yours?
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The best I can do is to say that Richard Widmark seemed to have a refreshingly cynical view of Hollywood, one that I admired.
Apparently it included the sentiment that actors need to do their job and then shut up (i.e. stop seeking publicity for publicity's sake).
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It's difficult to answer this one without seeming to descend into judgment calls. Unless you've actually spent quality time with a person, you never really know much about who they are.
That said, I have met a few celebrities and famous artists, albeit briefly, and I'm happy to report that all of the encounters were highly positive ones.
Michael Gough was one of my very favorite British character actors when I was young. He appeared in a few Hammer pictures, like Horror Of Dracula (1958) and The Phantom Of The Opera (1962), the schlockfest Konga (1961), and two even more amazing pieces of schlock with Joan Crawford, Berserk! (1967), and Trog (1970). His acting career in films was a mixed bag of quality and crap, but even in the worst pictures, I always loved him.
I was shopping in Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon in 1987, and the two of us practically ran into each other at the entrance of a chocolate shop. We simultaneously hooted with laughter over the mishap when I realized who I was looking at. I let out an involuntary "Oh!" and covered my mouth with my hand. Michael imitated me with a smile. We stood outside the shop for about fifteen minutes, most of which found me gushing all over him. He loved it. He seemed genuinely pleased to be recognized! He told me that he had just finished The Fourth Protocol, and was currently in D.C. performing with Derek Jacobi in Breaking The Code at the Kennedy Center (of course this was two years before he portrayed Alfred in Tim Burton's Batman).
As we were chatting, his wife walked up to us, exclaiming, "Oh, there you are! I've been looking all over for you!" I apologized, saying, "Sorry, I've detained him." She replied, "Just keep him talking! Stay right here! I just have one more shop to visit and I'll be back for him!" And, off she went.
So, I had the man corralled for another half hour or more before she returned. It was a delightful chat with one of my favorite actors, and a very memorable moment in my life.
Mr. Gough was a warm, friendly gentleman with a tremendous sense of humor, and I'll never forget our brief time together.
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Wonderful anecdote!
I've always wanted to know: How does Michael Gough pronounce his last name?
GUFF? GOFF? GOW? GO? (For reasons yet unclear, I lean toward GOFF; don't know why.)
I've never heard it pronounced; so I don't really know.
Thanks.
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GOFF.
Rhymes with COUGH.
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I once saw Ian McKellen give a hug and a kiss on the cheek to the local independent theater impresario here in Denver when he bounded on stage after a preview screening of his Richard III. I knew the local, and knew how much that meant to him, and Ian didn't have to do that at all. That plus reading his blog in the LOTR years made me a fan of the man.
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