Jimmy Fallon, from last night’s Tonight show:
Glenn Close on Friend and Colleague: “Robin Williams Was a World Treasure”
Tony and Oscar nominee Glenn Close posted this yesterday on Facebook. I thought I’d share it with you. Glenn is one the great class acts. She and Robin starred together in George Roy Hill’s film adaptation of John Irving’s great “The World According to Garp.”
Message from Glenn Close:
Robin Williams was my friend. He was the star of the first movie I ever did called The World According To Garp. It was his second feature film and he was wildly popular because of his years in the TV show, Mork and Mindy. George Roy Hill was our director and he believed in Robin’s transcendent talent. I watched as the two of them worked on ridding Robin of all the mannerisms he had taken on while playing a brilliantly funny, spontaneous alien. Robin was seriously determined to become a film actor and George took his desire seriously. It was wonderful to watch.
Robin was incredibly sensitive to the crew, to the people who don’t always get the recognition they deserve for the various jobs they do during a shoot. Robin knew everyone’s name and could always get a laugh—not a laugh aimed at himself, but a laugh that recognized others. He gave various favorite crew members special nicknames. Our camera operator had famously combed-back, black hair that had considerable amounts of product in it, keeping every hair in place in all kinds of weather. Robin dubbed him “Teflon Man” and would do hilarious rifts as an archeologist in the distant future finding “Teflon Man” with his hair still perfect.
Robin was incredibly sensitive and gentle and loving. He was very self-critical. During Garp we had a press conference and I was asked to go along with Robin. I watched this quiet man, who I’d never seen reading a newspaper or magazine or watching TV, explode into the press room and do an amazing turn on all the most current events, people and issues. He wove it all into a cohesive whole with no notes, nothing but his genius. It was breathtaking in its spontaneity and brilliance. Everyone was completely blown away. When we walked out of the room together, Robin turned to me with a worried look and asked in a whisper, “Was that all right?” I gave him a long hug and said, “Yes! You were incredible” He checked to make sure I really meant it and then went to his trailer.
Robin was a world treasure. As we mourn his tragic death, we must remember him for the great waves of laughter that he was able to illicit from us, how his humor and insights–though they came from a place of pain and uncertainty—connected us and reminded us of how flawed and fragile…how human we are…how we are capable of moments of inspired transcendence and others of unspeakable despair. Robin had it all. I am so deeply thankful that this dearly loved man graced this particular planet.
Hollywood Legend Lauren Bacall Is Dead at Age 89
The great screen legend Lauren Bacall has died in New York at age 89. She would have been 90 next month and was ailing for some time. What a shame. Bacall was one of the great great ladies of all time, a real star from the age of 17. Her marriages to Humphrey Bogart and Jason Robards are legendary, as was her romance with Frank Sinatra.
My lunch with Lauren Bacall and Vanessa Redgrave
Bacall was no slouch and no wall flower. She was a dame who stood up for herself. She starred in so many classic movies with classic lines– “To Have and Have Not,” “Key Largo,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” “Designing Woman.” Then she conquered Broadway with the musical “Applause.”
Bacall was one of a kind and she knew it. Born Betty Jean Perske, her rise to success is chronicled in her best selling memoir “By Myself.” She wrote ever word of it by herself, too. She and her mother and brother were abandoned early on by her father. Instead of retreating, she became ambitious first as a star model and then as overnight success as an actress.
You’ll read all kinds of bios of Bacall tonight and tomorrow. She and I were old family friends, with a connection. At one of her last public outings, a lunch at Michael’s last year for Vanessa Redgrave, Bacall asked me to sit next to her. She was on fire, her old self, and loving every minute of it. She and Redgrave had bonded through Redgrave’s late daughter Natasha Richardson. Even though Betty wasn’t going out much anymore– her only other major appearance of late had been at the Lincoln Center event for Sidney Poitier–she reveled in the attention.
Truly the end of an era. I’ll write some more later. For now, though, cue those clips. This was a Movie Star, god damn it.
from 2003:
Cate Blanchett Defines ‘Fabulous’ by Roger Friedman
It takes a superstar to educate the new generation of actors. But that’s exactly what took place last night when legend — and I do mean legend — Lauren Bacall met up-and-comer Cate Blanchett. The occasion was a dinner in honor of Blanchett for her new movie, “Veronica Guerin.”
Blanchett — who just signed on to co-star in Wes Anderson’s “Life Aquatic” with Bill Murray and Anjelica Huston — is on her way to Montreal to play Katharine Hepburn in the Martin Scorsese movie, “Aviator,” about Howard Hughes.
Originally Nicole Kidman was set for the part, but that didn’t work out and now Blanchett is in it. Luckily, Bacall knew the late, great actress and was able to give Cate — Oscar nominated for “Elizabeth” in 1998 — some pointers.
“She wore her hair up,” Bacall said, “and she was very athletic. She had only a trace of a Hartford accent, so don’t worry about that,” she told Blanchett, and rattled off several more reminisces to the awe-struck Australian actress.
“You’re fabulous,” Bacall told Blanchett, responding to her performance as murdered journalist Guerin.
“You’re the definition of fabulous,” Blanchett shot back, hugging the Hollywood icon.
The talk turned to the red carpet at the Oscars, which Blanchett first blanched at back in 1999, but now has it down.
“I was nominated for one Oscar and I lost it,” the regal Bacall said. “But I got more publicity for losing it than for winning it.”
Robin Williams Family Speaks: Children, Wife, Ex, Make Statements: “The World Got a Little Grayer”
Here are statements released by Robin Williams’ publicist from his children, and his ex wife. Some outlets will assuredly bill these as “exclusives.” They aren’t. Everyone received them.
Yesterday, I lost my father and a best friend and the world got a little grayer. I will carry his heart with me every day. I would ask those that loved him to remember him by being as gentle, kind, and generous as he would be. Seek to bring joy to the world as he sought.”
– Zak Williams (eldest son)
“My family has always been private about our time spent together. It was our way of keeping one thing that was ours, with a man we shared with an entire world. But now that’s gone, and I feel stripped bare. My last day with him was his birthday, and I will be forever grateful that my brothers and I got to spend that time alone with him, sharing gifts and laughter. He was always warm, even in his darkest moments. While I’ll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there’s minor comfort in knowing our grief and loss, in some small way, is shared with millions. It doesn’t help the pain, but at least it’s a burden countless others now know we carry, and so many have offered to help lighten the load. Thank you for that.
To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favorite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you’ve had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too…
Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls I’ve ever known, and while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence. We’ll just have to work twice as hard to fill it back up again.”
– Zelda Williams (daughter, with Marsha Williams)
“There are no words strong enough to describe the love and respect I have for my father. The world will never be the same without him. I will miss him and take him with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life, and will look forward, forever, to the moment when I get to see him again.”
– Cody Williams (son, with Marsha Williams)
“My heart is split wide open and scattered over the planet with all of you. Please remember the gentle, loving, generous – and yes, brilliant and funny – man that was Robin Williams. My arms are wrapped around our children as we attempt to grapple with celebrating the man we love, while dealing with this immeasurable loss.”
– Marsha Garces Williams
Previously Released quote from Robin Williams’ Wife:
“This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”
– Susan Schneider
Robin Williams’ Annual Scholarships Got Oscar Nominee Jessica Chastain Through School
Every year, Robin Williams gave a scholarship to a student at Juilliard, his alma mater. He couldn’t have predicted which student would succeed based on his largesse. But one of them turns out to be Jessica Chastain. She wrote today on Twitter: “Robin Williams changed my life. He was a great actor and a generous person. Through a scholarship, he made it possible for me to graduate college. His generous spirit will forever inspire me to support others as he supported me. He will forever be missed.”
Here’s a statement from the school: “The Juilliard community is deeply saddened by the death of our distinguished alumnus Robin Williams. Robin’s genius for comedic improvisation, which quickly surfaced in his studies at Juilliard, was matched by his deep understanding of the actor’s art and how to touch his audience in meaningful ways. He was a generous supporter of the School’s drama students through the Robin Williams Scholarship, which supported the tuition cost of a drama student each year. His caring ways and effervescent personality will be missed by all who were touched by this special person.”
“Robin Williams was enrolled at The Juilliard School in the Diploma course from 1973-74 and in the B.F.A. program from 1974-75 to 1975-76. (He withdrew on February 10, 1976.) In 1991, Juilliard presented Mr. Williams with an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.”
Robin Williams’ Death Casts Pall Over Gala Premiere for “The Giver” in NYC
Everyone got the news of Robin Williams’ tragic death just as the premiere for “The Giver” was taking shape at the Ziegfeld Theater. Star and producer Jeff Bridges had famously co-starred with Robin in “The Fisher King.” Meryl Streep was also old friends with Williams. Harvey Weinstein, who brought “The Giver” to the big screen, had gotten Robin his long sought after Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in “Good Will Hunting” in 1998.
On the street, I had the unfortunate task of informing “Radio Man”– aka Craig Schwartz– the inspiration for the look of the Fisher King, whom Robin played. Williams had flown Radio Man to the Oscars and other events for years, with Whoopi Goldberg he bought Radio Man bicycles, etc. In front of the Central Park Boathouse, where the post-party for “The Giver” took place in earnest, Radio Man told me: “Jeff just came over and the two of us just cried. I’m in shock.”
Streep did the red carpet and made a brief appearance at the party. Bridges stayed for a bit at the party, chatting with Spike Lee and with “The Giver” director Phil Noyce before finally calling it a night. At the premiere, he and Weinstein each spoke about Williams before the show started, but it was more like they were in shock.
Also at the premiere: Katie Holmes, who’s terrific in “The Giver,” with her lovely (and wise) parents, plus Taylor Swift, who has a cameo in the movie. The group OneRepublic played their song from the movie in Ziegfeld before the curtain went up. They were very good. Also spotted: moguls Jim Dolan of Cablevision and Ron Burkle.
It was not an easy night. And the film’s quasi-religious message made for a somber experience. Nevertheless the beautiful looking film is spot on for fans of the novel on which its based. Author Lois Lowry has seen it three times and is a big big fan.
More on Robin Williams in my next post. He was just about the nicest, funniest most “normal” guy, a total joy who loved stopping by premieres and parties. Last night people who’d worked with him on various sets recalled his generosity. Everyone here knew how Robin had swooped in and took care of Christopher Reeve and his family after Reeve’s accident. What a terrible terrible loss.
UPDATED Barbra Streisand Exhumes Elvis Presley for Duets Album with Love Me Tender
UPDATED: Here’s the track list:
1. It Had To Be You (w/ Michael Bublé)
2. People (w/ Stevie Wonder)
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine (w/ John Mayer)
4. Evergreen (w/ Babyface)
5. New York State Of Mind (w/ Billy Joel)
6. I’d Want It To Be You (w/ Blake Shelton)
7. The Way We Were (w/ Lionel Richie)
8. I Still Can See Your Face (w/ Andrea Bocelli)
9. How Deep Is The Ocean (w/ Jason Gould)
10. What Kind Of Fool (w/ John Legend)
11. Somewhere (w/ Josh Groban)
12. Love Me Tender (w/ Elvis Presley)
EARLIER Barbra Streisand can do anything, even sing with the dead! For her Duets album, due September 12, La Streisand has exhumed Elvis Presley for a duet. They never got the chance to sing together when he was alive, so why not now? Icky? We’ll see.
All the other artists on the album are guys. They include a list of MOR (that’s middle of the road) types like Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, John Legend, Lionel Richie, John Mayer, and Blake Shelton. Billy Joel is also featured. So is Barbra’s son Jason Gould. Sounds like one big Ambien to me. I’d rather hear Barbra sing solo than pair up with this group. Zzzzz… (It will be nice to hear Billy though.)
What if Barbra had gotten Sting, Bono, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson, and some younger dudes like Rob Thomas and Adam Levine? Wake it up a little bit! This Duets album is going to sell 30,000 copies. She’s wasting her extraordinary voice. If the orchestrations are similarly snoozy to those on her ill fated Barry Gibb album of a few years ago, she’ll be lucky to sell 30K.
And Elvis? I doubt they duet on Don’t Be Cruel or Burning Love. It’s probably either Love Me Tender or I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.
You know, don’t get me wrong. I’m very fond of Barbra. But if she’s going to keep recording, she’s got to find younger, hipper, people to mix with.
Charles Keating, 72, Star of “Another World” and “Brideshead”
The great Charles Keating has passed away age 72. The fine British actor gained international acclaim when he was part of the cast of “Brideshead Revisited” on PBS. He played Rex Mottram, the man who tried to woo Julia (Diana Quick) away from Charles (Jeremy Irons).
In the US, Keating is better known as evil Carl Hutchins, who terrorized the people of Bay City on “Another World” through the 80s and 90s. He won an Emmy Award in 1996 for playing Carl after three prior nominations. He was also nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway in 1986 in a revival of “Loot.”
I had the pleasure of meeting Charles several times over the years for a funny reason: he was best friends with actor James Cromwell. They’d started out at age 20 at the Cleveland Playhouse. Often when Cromwell came to town for a premiere of one of his films, he invited Charles Keating and his wife. He was just like he’d been on those TV shows, erudite and urbane. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his lovely wife Mary.
Coincidence: Beyonce-Jay Z Tour is Over and So Are the Divorce Rumors
Beyonce and Jay Z are no longer On the Run. Their short summer tour is over, and, coincidentally so are the rumors of divorce. Why? Because the stories were staged to sell tickets. Every media outlet went for it, though, even Time.com but especially the New York Post. Hilarious.
Billboard says the tour grossed $100 million, and sold through at a magnificent 90%. But they also concede that the tour didn’t sell so great up front. Both Beyonce and Jay Z had already toured individually just a few months earlier. Last minute sales were crucial to On the Run. And they were certainly affected by the rampant divorce and cheating stories.
The ball started rolling on July 19th– the mid point of the tour when the press starts paying less attention to them. This was when the Post asked “Could This Be the End of Beyonce and Jay Z?” Stories followed on the 25th, 26th, and 28th and then again on August 2nd. It didn’t matter that within each story sources were quoted saying the couple was happy. The headlines were about Beyonce allegedly looking for her own apartment (ridiculous), inside their crumbling marriage, and finally, on August 7th, news that the breaking up couple was “hiding” together, no less, at Gwyneth Paltrow’s LA home.
The fever pitch definitely came on August 2nd-3rd, the days the couple played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That was when eery tabloid jumped on the idea that they were in separate hotel rooms, contemplating an exit interview for TV and possibly cancelling the tour before it hit San Francisco. In other words: run, get your tickets now, because this may be the end. The couple had back to back dates in SF at the AT&T arena. Guess what? They soldiered on to nearly sold out shows!
Also, I’d like sell you a condo in Gaza.
There was never a question of a $100 million tour being cancelled. Are people this stupid? (Evidently tabloid writers and publicists stoking this nonsense thought so.) My favorite quote was this one, from the usual unidentified source (aka fictional person): “I’m definitely not sure that they’ll make it to Paris.”
Again, are you that gullible? HBO is filming the Paris shows for a special. Believe me, Beyonce and Jay Z will do those shows even if they’re bleeding from the head, so to speak. And watch the press– the rumors will go crazy again around that time, maybe the same time they announce a European tour. And this time they will be in different languages.
You may wonder: why would celebrities agree to use their personal lives like this? And the answer is always the same– money. Beyonce and Jay Z will get the last laugh over a bottle of Dom Perignon while we’re reading about it in the Post and having a Snapple.
Daniel Radcliffe: What If Makes Three Strikes After 8 Blockbusters
If Daniel Radcliffe were in sports, we’d be worried. Imagine if he had eight Super Bowl or World Series rings in a row, and then couldn’t get a hit or throw for a touchdown at all.
That’s what’s happened since he starred in eight Harry Potter movies that broke all records. He’s been in three clinkers in a row– Woman in Black, Kill Your Darlings, and now What If?, formerly known as The F Word.
The F Word was so bad that last year in Toronto I did something I’ve almost never done in my life: I left. But not before yelling out loud at the screen in a movie theater. There were Daniel and Zoe Kazan, two fine theater actors– yes, Radcliffe has also proved himself a real actor on Broadway three times in a row– discussing blow jobs and the sizes of penises. And using the real F word. “Flee.”
Daniel Radcliffe is lucky. First, thanks to Harry Potter, he’s financially independent. He can afford to take chances. Plus, he’s been very clever by throwing himself into Broadway and getting excellent reviews. He was just lovely in this season’s “Cripple of Inishmaan.” He was brave and winning in “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” He was really brave and naked in “Equus.”
Also, in person, he’s about as nice as a person could be who’s young, talented, rich, and wildly popular. He was really raised right at Hogwart’s.
Radcliffe’s next release is “Horns,” a funny indie that could catch on. It’s the G Word. Good. Then comes “Frankenstein,” and Judd Apatow’s highly anticipated “Trainwreck.” By the time he’s 28, Radcliffe may also have what could be a winner in Doug McGrath’s pic about the man who built the Brooklyn Bridge, John Roebling.
So the future looks bright with possibilities. But today, with “What If” sort of DOA, there are passing clouds.
PS If you’re in New York, you can still see Zoe Kazan off Broadway in “While We Were Young and Unafraid” with Cherry Jones. She’s very good. Just erase “What If” from her CV.