Actor Richard Harris has passed Away (10/25)
Kilroy Bass
Richard Harris, who was also in other films like A Man Called Horse
and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, has passed away Friday night in
London. Was 72.
"He caught the eye of critic Kenneth Tynan who once bracketed him with
Albert Finney and Peter O'Toole as one of the three best young actors
on the British stage." (AP)
Nudeskin
such as A Man Called Horse and This Sporting Life, died Friday night at a
London hospital, his family said. He was 72.
"With great sadness, Damian, Jarid and Jamie Harris announced the death of
their beloved father, Richard Harris," the family said.
"He died peacefully at University College Hospital," where he was receiving
treatment for Hodgkin's Disease after falling ill earlier this year, the family
said.
Harris also played Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and
will play that role in the next chapter in the Harry Potter Saga, Harry Potter
and the Chamber of Secrets.
A tall, sturdy figure with a reputation as a hellraiser and a lived-in face,
and once described as looking like "five miles of bad country road," Harris was
never cut out to join contemporaries as a smooth matinee idol.
The critic Clive Barnes called him one of a new breed of British actors, who
are "rougher, tougher, fiercer, angrier and more passionately articulate than
their well-groomed predecessors . . . roaring boys, sometimes with highly
coloured private lives and lurid public images."
He caught the eye of critic Kenneth Tynan who once bracketed him with Albert
Finney and Peter O'Toole as one of the three best young actors on the British
stage.
Inspired by the writings of the Russian director Konstantin Stanislavsky, the
young Harris set his heart on directing, but acting soon claimed him and he
enjoyed his first stage success with Joan Littlewood's pioneering Theatre
Workshop.
He won the Best Actor award at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival for This Sporting
Life. Other major roles include Major Dundee, Hawaii, Camelot, The Molly
Maguires, A Man Called Horse and Cromwell.
Born Oct. 1, 1930, in Limerick, southern Ireland, Harris suffered a bout of
tuberculosis in adolescence, which friends say fostered the brooding,
introspective quality of his acting. Harris moved to London to study, but when
he couldn't find a suitable directing course, he joined an acting course at the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, in 1956.
While still a student, he hired the tiny "off-West End" Irving Theatre and
directed his own production of Clifford Odets' Winter Journey (The Country
Girl).
The critics approved, but the production used up all his savings, and he
resorted to sleeping in a coal cellar for six weeks.
Harris left LAMDA in the summer of 1956 to join the Theatre Workshop, which
helped lead the advance toward realism and experiment in British theatre. His
first professional appearance was on July 24, 1956, as Mickser in the
Littlewood production of Brendan Behan's The Quare Fellow at the Theatre Royal,
Stratford.
It was a small part, but Lee Strasburg, director of the New York Actors Studio,
said it had the "sharpest impact" of any performance he had seen by an actor in
Britain.
A variety of roles followed: Louis in Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge
and Paulino in Pirandello's Man, Beast and Virtue. Harris also toured Russia
and Eastern Europe with a Theatre Workshop production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
To earn extra income, Harris turned to television, and his performance in a
1958 television play called The Iron Harp led to a contract with Associated
British Picture Corp.
His first film part was a cameo in a comedy called Alive and Kicking, about
three elderly women who escape from a home for seniors.
Harris's next commitment took him back to Ireland to shoot Shake Hands With the
Devil, an ambitious production about the Irish Rebellion, in which he played
the gun-happy rebel Terence O'Brien.
A role followed as the villainous Higgins in The Wreck of the Mary Deare, a
maritime adventure starring Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston made in Hollywood
by MGM.
In 1959, the actor returned to Ireland to make A Terrible Beauty about
sectarian strife in Northern Ireland, in which he played the roistering
bosom-buddy of a disenchanted Irish Republican Army member, played by Robert
Mitchum.
Harris' first lead role in London's West End came later that year when he
opened as Sebastian Dangerfield in J. P. Donleavy's The Ginger Man at the
Fortune Theatre, a study of the life of a drunken Dublin student.
Richard
wrote:
I remember him best from two movies. No, not that Harry Potter
garbage.
"Man in the Wilderness."
"Unforgiven"
-Rich
"If Blockbuster continues to offer only Pan & Scan versions of
major movies from Warner, or any other studio offering widescreen
and P&S, please consider NOT renting anything from them."
Jim
Well, no disrespect to Harris, but Tynan made an extravagant overstatement.
John Stone
[Richard Harris]
> I remember him best from two movies. No, not that Harry Potter
> garbage.
> "Man in the Wilderness."
> "Unforgiven"
I remember him best from two movies. No, not that GARBAGE that
doesn't even HAVE BO DEREK in it. The other kind of garbage.
--
John Stone -- TWENTY
COLUMNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-\|/-\|/-\|/-\|/-\|/
12345678901234567890
John Reilly
news:rVju9.1645$QM4....@tornadotest1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
No disrespect to you, but how many young actors did you see on the British
stage at that time?
--
John (well aware that he could be walking into a trap)
(Remove NOSPAM) to Reply
------------------------------------------------
"Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because... this is just a ride."
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Rdavison1412
Does anyone know if he played Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Potter sequel???
Jim
> "Jim" <jcph...@SPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:rVju9.1645$QM4....@tornadotest1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Kilroy Bass wrote:
>> > Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter film,
>> > Richard Harris, who was also in other films like A Man Called Horse
>> > and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, has passed away Friday night in
>> > London. Was 72.
>> >
>> > "He caught the eye of critic Kenneth Tynan who once bracketed him with
>> > Albert Finney and Peter O'Toole as one of the three best young actors
>> > on the British stage." (AP)
>>
>> Well, no disrespect to Harris, but Tynan made an extravagant
> overstatement.
>
> No disrespect to you, but how many young actors did you see on the British
> stage at that time?
How many did I have to see? Tynan was comparing him to Finney and O'Toole. I
never saw Harris in any performance where he was as good as the worst of
those two.
Stephen Cooke
On 25 Oct 2002, Kilroy Bass wrote:
> Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter film,
Like *hell* he is!
This Sporting Life
Cromwell
The Field (pretty hammy for a movie about sheep, but who else could pull
it off?)
swac
Heck, I'd even accept 99 44/100s Dead.
pi...@antispam.ca
>RIP Richard Harris
>
>Does anyone know if he played Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Potter sequel???
Yes, of course.
--------------------------------
To send email, replace "antispam" with "sprint"
how...@brazee.net
On 25-Oct-2002, kilro...@catlover.com (Kilroy Bass) wrote:
> Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter film,
> Richard Harris, who was also in other films like A Man Called Horse
> and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, has passed away Friday night in
> London. Was 72.
"Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore"?????
By whom?
Dean Eaton
film, and the kids I took to see it thought he was perfect.
Harris told this story on "Letterman" about how he got the part. It was
offered to him, but he turned it down thinking it was silly. But his
grandaughter found out and telephoned him, saying that she'd never speak to
him again if he didn't play Dumbledore. He took the role.
It's such a great story I don't even care if it's true or not.
Dean
"You're a bunch of bloody savages, the lot of you!!!" - English Bob,
"Unforgiven"
<how...@brazee.net> wrote in message
news:gnnu9.5337$Fj6.4...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
rmj
Hopefully the radios won't start playing:
"MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!"
Please no!
--
rmj
~~~ "There are more things in heaven ~~~
~~~ and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt ~~~
~~~ of in your philosophy."--the Bard ~~~ http://digillure.com
Kerry Duvall
called, "Wrestling Ernest Hemmingway".
"Stephen Cooke" <am...@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.102...@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca.
..
Bob
how...@brazee.net wrote:
IF whoever wrote that had been possessed of enough grace to have written
"most recently" instead of "best", it would have been a perfectly
accurate statement.
Bob
Moviezzz
>garbage.
Very sad to see that line. He made so many great ones. CROMWELL being a fave
of mine.
Richard
Yes, Cromwell was good as well. "God Damn this King!"
John Reilly
But the stage and film just aren't the same, and I imagine you're comparing
them on their film roles.
--
John
Jim Beaver
"Kerry Duvall" <kdu...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:url7l82...@corp.supernews.com...
> I loved his performance in a sort of obscure movie, with Robert Duvall,
> called, "Wrestling Ernest Hemmingway".
I loved him in that. I loved him in THE LONG AND THE SHORT AND THE TALL and
THIS SPORTING LIFE and THE MOLLY MAGUIRES and CAMELOT and A MAN CALLED HORSE
and MAN IN THE WILDERNESS and THE FIELD and NIGHT FIGHTERS and ROBIN AND
MARIAN and THE WILD GEESE and THE SNOW GOOSE and MAJOR DUNDEE. Gee. I
guess I loved this guy. Stormy, prodigiously talented, colorful in the
extreme, bold in his choices, and possessed of that quality that great stars
almost always have: the sense that they have a delicious secret that they
just might share with you.
Jim Beaver
Frank R.A.J. Maloney
news:apeagn$jg8$1...@plonk.apk.net...
> On rec.arts.movies.current-films, Kilroy Bass <kilro...@catlover.com>
says...
> > Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter film,
>
> *I* remember him best for his performance in "The Molly Maguires".
>
>
> > Richard Harris, who was also in other films like A Man Called Horse
> > and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven,
>
>
> Jack
>
I was slightly amazed that last night's national news claimed his best known
role was as King Arthur in _Camelot_.
--
Frank in Seattle
___________
Frank Richard Aloysius Jude Maloney
"I leave you now in radiant contentment"
-- "Whistling in the Dark"
how...@brazee.net
On 26-Oct-2002, "Frank R.A.J. Maloney" <fr...@blarg.net> wrote:
> I was slightly amazed that last night's national news claimed his best
> known role was as King Arthur in _Camelot_.
I wouldn't argue with that.
John Stone
I would argue that his most famous role is as Harry Crown in John
Frankenheimer's _99 and 44/100% Dead_, because if I have to argue, I
might as well make the topic unusual.
John Reilly
news:apeagn$jg8$1...@plonk.apk.net...
> On rec.arts.movies.current-films, Kilroy Bass <kilro...@catlover.com>
says...
>
> *I* remember him best for his performance in "The Molly Maguires".
>
Ask most people today what role they remember Alec Guiness in.
It's sad, but it's probably true.
Bill Anderson
Kilroy Bass wrote:
I know that in a perfect world I would keep this to myself, but this is
Usenet, so I'll speak my mind.
I never liked Richard Harris in anything.
Don't get me wrong, I know my John Donne and I recognize that any man's
death diminishes me and I've never thought of myself as an island and I
certainly wouldn't dream of sending to know for whom the bell tolls. I'm
glad he had a successful, colorful life and I'm sorry he died.
But I never liked Richard Harris in anything. He ruined "Camelot." "A
Man Called Horse" was unwatchable for me. He was the only blight on "The
Unforgiven." And even though I probably wouldn't have liked "Harry
Potter" on the big screen anyway, I didn't like Dumbledore. Because I
could tell it was Richard Harris behind the beard, and once again he was
like fingernails on a blackboard to me. But in his defense, I'll point
out that there's no way he's best known for Dumbledore. King Arthur,
probably.
Some eulogy, huh? Sorry about that.
--
Bill Anderson
I am the Mighty Favog
David Matthews
> I know that in a perfect world I would keep this to myself, but this is
> Usenet, so I'll speak my mind.
>
> I never liked Richard Harris in anything.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I know my John Donne and I recognize that any man's
> death diminishes me and I've never thought of myself as an island and I
> certainly wouldn't dream of sending to know for whom the bell tolls. I'm
> glad he had a successful, colorful life and I'm sorry he died.
>
> But I never liked Richard Harris in anything. He ruined "Camelot." "A
> Man Called Horse" was unwatchable for me. He was the only blight on "The
> Unforgiven." And even though I probably wouldn't have liked "Harry
> Potter" on the big screen anyway, I didn't like Dumbledore. Because I
> could tell it was Richard Harris behind the beard, and once again he was
> like fingernails on a blackboard to me. But in his defense, I'll point
> out that there's no way he's best known for Dumbledore. King Arthur,
> probably.
>
> Some eulogy, huh? Sorry about that.
>
> --
> Bill Anderson
>
I hate te say it but I agree with you completely. As an actor I thought
Harris was an outrageous ham. As a personality on talk shows etc. he came
across as stupid and opinionated. I'm sorry he died but......
Dave
Himadri
I beg to disagree. Having watched "This Sporting Life" last night, I'm
inclined to think that Harris may even have been the best of the
three.
At any rate, he is certainly worthy of inclusion in this company.
Regards, Himadri
Bob
John Reilly wrote:
> "High Flight" <j...@junior.apk.net> wrote in message
> news:apeagn$jg8$1...@plonk.apk.net...
> > On rec.arts.movies.current-films, Kilroy Bass <kilro...@catlover.com>
> says...
> > > Best remembered as Albus Dumbledore of the Harry Potter film,
> >
> > That's an insult to his memory, to his career, and his talent as an actor.
> > *I* remember him best for his performance in "The Molly Maguires".
> >
>
> Ask most people today what role they remember Alec Guiness in.
>
> It's sad, but it's probably true.
>
> --
> John
> (Remove NOSPAM) to Reply
For me, its "The Man in the White Suit", and several other great comedies in the
late '40's, early '50's. He did comedy so well. That's probably why he could
do drama so well. Comedy is much harder than drama.
Bob
Bob
David Matthews wrote:
Hmm. Well, although I think you gentlemen are a definite minority, you are
entitled to your opinions. I disagree with you, but so what.
Bob
Tom Zielinski
"John Stone" <jd...@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:m2u1j8257...@softhome.net...
> how...@brazee.net writes:
>
> > On 26-Oct-2002, "Frank R.A.J. Maloney" <fr...@blarg.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I was slightly amazed that last night's national news claimed his best
> > > known role was as King Arthur in _Camelot_.
> >
> > I wouldn't argue with that.
>
> I would argue that his most famous role is as Harry Crown in John
> Frankenheimer's _99 and 44/100% Dead_, because if I have to argue, I
> might as well make the topic unusual.
With his stunningly beautiful wife at the time, Ann Turkel.
I also enjoyed Harris' cheesy disaster flick, "The Cassandra Crossing".
Tom Zielinski
"Life is Funny, But I'm Not Laughing"
Jim
I just watched "Kind Hearts and Coronets" again last night. I will never get
tired of this deliciously nasty little comedy. Guinness was impeccable in
all of his roles, but particularly as the tiresome vicar.
Grant Hurlock
there with its classic contemporaries, A Kind of Loving & Loneliness of the
Long-Distance Runner for gritty realism.
The best thing Harris did, though, was bring Ann Turkel to the screen in
4 of his movies--99 & 44/100% Dead, Cassandra Crossing, Golden Rendezvous, &
Ravagers. I gladly put up with Harris histrionics for the chance to watch
wonderful long-legged Ann. She's unique.
John Reilly
But he'll probably still be remembered for his least demanding role by most
people.
I bet he didn't get many kids calling him colonel and asking for his
autograph whilst telling him how the've watched The Bridge on the River Kwai
over a hundred times.
--
John
(Remove NOSPAM) to Reply
Bob
John Reilly wrote:
Unfortunately, I think you are right.
Bob
Tirnambeo
"John Reilly" <jo...@NOSPAMthebigfilm.co.uk> wrote in message
news:aphnvl$51a$1...@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
That's the movie (Bridge On The River Kwai) I remember him most for. I
watched it well over a hundred times as a kid (mom is an old movie nut, of
course, she is old.......), and it is one of my all time favorite movies.
My kids, however, know him from Star Wars only. And yes, it's sad, but true
of most, if not all, of today's kids.
Tirna
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