Blind Items Revealed #6 - Reader Blind Item - Kindness
November 10, 2019
I used to work as a journalist in Los Angeles and I had a colleague named Cliff who had tried to be an actor before he was a journalist.
Cliff told me a story about a film he was an extra on one time. It was the low budget debut of this Oscar winning/Oscar nominated duo who would go on to have much success.
The lead actor in the film ,who is still active, is someone who has been called an “actor’s actor” . Not a huge star but a professional who is generally well thought of by his peers and whose presence two well known deceased critics who worked together observed automatically raised the level of a film.
This is one of his few if not his only leading roles as he is the definition of a character actor and has been in scores and scores of films. The film he was most praised for prior to this featured him in a villainous supporting role with this permanent A+ Oscar winning/Oscar nominated actor who recently had #metoo problems.
Cliff had approached the actor on behalf of some of the other extras for advice and the actor had been more than helpful giving him much useful information about starting an acting career. When the actor discovered that the other extras had put Cliff up to this, he summoned them all to a room on set in between shooting and spent time answering all their questions. He gave out his personal phone number as well. He did not want anything for this and was not trying to pick up anyone. He is just a very generous down to Earth guy.
M Emmett Walsh
(Blood Simple, The Coen Brothers, Siskel and Ebert, Straight Time, Dustin Hoffman)
I used to work as a journalist in Los Angeles and I had a colleague named Cliff who had tried to be an actor before he was a journalist.
Cliff told me a story about a film he was an extra on one time. It was the low budget debut of this Oscar winning/Oscar nominated duo who would go on to have much success.
The lead actor in the film ,who is still active, is someone who has been called an “actor’s actor” . Not a huge star but a professional who is generally well thought of by his peers and whose presence two well known deceased critics who worked together observed automatically raised the level of a film.
This is one of his few if not his only leading roles as he is the definition of a character actor and has been in scores and scores of films. The film he was most praised for prior to this featured him in a villainous supporting role with this permanent A+ Oscar winning/Oscar nominated actor who recently had #metoo problems.
Cliff had approached the actor on behalf of some of the other extras for advice and the actor had been more than helpful giving him much useful information about starting an acting career. When the actor discovered that the other extras had put Cliff up to this, he summoned them all to a room on set in between shooting and spent time answering all their questions. He gave out his personal phone number as well. He did not want anything for this and was not trying to pick up anyone. He is just a very generous down to Earth guy.
M Emmett Walsh
(Blood Simple, The Coen Brothers, Siskel and Ebert, Straight Time, Dustin Hoffman)
9 comments:
Your friend is really good at reading people.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/five-dustin-hoffman-accusers-tell-harrowing-stories-sexually-predatory-behavior-1055544
Surprised he didn't go into politics given the photo.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-dustin-hoffman-accuser-claims-harassment-physical-violation-broadway-guest-column-1062349
Dang it @brayson87 I was just basking in the glow of thinking there were still white hats in Pedowood..
Back in the late 80's, early 90's, when I was managing at the Culver City, CA Big 5 Store, Emmett would occasionally wandered in. (he lived in Culver City, CA)
He was always gracious and pleasant to everyone who noticed him.
Once while trying on "athletic shoes," he had several customers milling around him and he sat there talking to them, signing autographs on request, etc.
When there was a lull in the small crowd, I approached and quietly asked if he wanted some privacy.
He said no, he said he liked it when people recognize him.
So, I left him alone.
Very nice man.
Very talented man.
@Olive, He's a relic of the Silent Generation.
Anyone else think Siskel was better than Ebert?
He was a hoot in Knives Out.
M Emmet Walsh and Harry Dean Stanton were the two actors they always said automatically raised the film's level. I met Mr. Walsh in his hometown, he offered to sign whatever I wanted. I told him just running into Deckard's boss was enough for me to die happy. We picked up our prescription and waved. There of course is more to the story as I had run into him twice that day and made a joke. The first time I asked him if he was who I thought he was he just smiled. Amazing screen presence.
@Lisa: Everyone in Knives Out was great. His scenes were subtly hilarious. That movie is brilliant in every last detail. I've seen it twice and am planning to see it again.
Superb actor. If I see his name, I gotta check the movie out.
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