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 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
| Sunday, Nov. 16, is the 86th birthday of one of my favorite actors, Clu Gulager, 86 is a pretty significant birthday! He hasn't been as active lately, but at one time, he was quite prolific. He starred as Billy the Kid in a 1960's half hour show called The Tall Man, also starring Barry Sullivan as Pat Garrett. It wasn't historically accurate, but it did a great job portraying the relationship between the lawman and his young friend.Both actors were older than the characters they portrayed, but that brotherliness and loyalty came through.It was more of a stretch for Clu in his 30's to play a teenager turned man, but he pulled it off. His habits were consistent from episode to episode. I've watched them back to back. The repetitive music starts to drive you crazy, but the stories are good. He played deputy Emmet Ryker for a few years on The Virginian. A few years earlier, he was a guest on The Virginian as a deaf mute, one of my favorite episodes. It was called "Run Silent" and was well written; it's a wonderful romance. I was thinking about how well constructed the show was, how joyful and victorious the ending was. A romance ended in a wholesome way, unlike today's stories, but it made you feel so good. Then it hit me, this man did this without ever making a sound. It was all movement and facial expression. It was wonderful.You totally sympathized with the deaf mute and were happy for him. Then there was Abilene in The Last Picture Show, which won so many awards and boosted a lot of young careers like Timothy Bottoms and Jeff Bridges. One look on his face reminded Sam the Lion he had to pay on a bet. Abilene was self-centered and shallow and tough. Clu pulled it off. He starred with Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson and many others. He had a lead role on Alfred Hitchcock. He was the normal guy in The Return of The Living Dead. (Fans are quick to point out that it's not a sequel but a spoof of The Living Dead.) So you can see the wide range of roles he's played, and a variety of genres. He did a short film with Sage Stallone using their own family members for various roles. He did a splendid and heart wrenching job in that, too. He's a man of many talents.A few have said that he may be an artistic genius, a little ahead of his time. His whole family is talented and immersed in show business. In fact, he has very strong family values and remains very close with his grown children. It's said that he doesn't smoke or drink. To top it off, he was married to the same woman for over half a century! Now that makes for a Hollywood unique character. Perhaps his down to earth values and work ethic come from his youth, mending fences and herding cattle. We can't neglect that he served his country through the marines. Yes, this is one celebrity who deserves a little attention and some good wishes. He's never been in the tabloids and seems to be a humble person. So, Clu, wherever you are on Sunday, I hope many people wish you well, and that you have a wonderful birthday celebration. Maybe someone will even see this blog and tell you that people are still writing about you. You've delighted many fans on the big screen and the little screen for decades. We're still enjoying the reruns. I, for one, hope there are more creative projects yet to come from you. |
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