Ben Gazzara died today. He was 81. I was friendly with his daughter Liz for a while in the 1990s when she worked in film editing. She was a smart and funny lady–still is, I expect.
I met the old man on the set of “The Big Lebowski.” It was night and I was on crutches. I hopped from my car down to the set. The Coens filmed Treehorn’s pad in a fantastic and weird house in the Hollywood Hills (a location that has been used many times in movies and TV commercials). As I approached the house, Gazzara came out, wearing his white suit, and holding a drink. He walked to his trailer, accompanied by two production assistants. There was nothing about the drink that looked like a prop.
Gazarra was the real deal, the original Brick in the Broadway production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and best known for his work with John Cassavetes. He was a New Yorker.
Rest in Peace.
[Featured Image by Jeremy Pollard]
glad you seem to have survived, mr. belth.
Watched The Killing of a Chinese Bookie for the first time not long ago, really enjoyed it. RIP
[2] Great film. Gazzara just had "it", always lit up any film he was in.
I remember him mostly for "Road House," the cult classic from the 1980s, and the little known but nicely done "They All Laughed," which co-starred the ill-fated Dorothy Stratten. I was impressed by Gazzara's ability to portray both villains and good guys with equal amounts of believability. Good actor.
Just read the obituary and Gazzara said he was in a full-scale depression while making "They All Laughed." You certainly couldn't tell from watching his performance.
I love Gazzara in Capone; one of my favorite screen portrayals.
Loved Gazarra in Summer of Sam, the lesser known Looking for Palladin and, of course, the ultra cheesy Road House. His acting always appeared effortless.