Henry Gibson, 1935-2009
Filed under: Obits
The gallery of colorful character actors has lost another one of its most reliable members. Don't feel bad if you don't know the name Henry Gibson, because I suspect that a "supporting" player like Mr. Gibson would take your ignorance as a compliment. Actors like Henry Gibson generally show up 7th or 8th in the opening credits, if they show up there at all, but they excel at two things: Providing flawless support for a lead actor or a big star, and giving movie-watchers a nice comfortable vibe of "Ohhh, this guy! He's been in a dozen flicks I've seen before. No idea who he is, but I'm glad to see him again."
That was Henry Gibson. The frustrated "Illinois Nazi" from The Blues Brothers. The confused grocer in Innerspace. The goofy preacher from Wedding Crashers. He was in Nashville, The Long Goodbye, The Nutty Professor, Magnolia, and The 'Burbs. He worked on the screen, on the stage, and in more TV shows than you've probably ever seen. Hell, he was even the voice of Wilbur in the animated version of Charlotte's Web.
Mr. Gibson passed away this week at the age of 73. I think its safe to say he left behind a legion of adoring colleagues (he worked a lot!), to say nothing of the appreciative old-school film fans. He will be missed. The Cinematical staff sends its condolences and best wishes to Mr. Gibson's friends and family.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-17-2009 @ 3:46PM
LordPaul said...
Awww, 'this guy'!!
He was awesome in the 'burbs & Innerspace!
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 4:22PM
Dana Kaminski said...
Henry Gibson was a master of "deadpan".
He could simply say his own name, as on "Laugh In" and it was funny.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 4:37PM
Shalekendar said...
I admit that I didn't recognize the name but as soon as I saw the photo I knew exactly who he was. Mr Gibson was the perfect compliment to many actors in a wide range of films. In the coming years, many films will find themselves missing that little extra "oomph" that was Mr Gibson's presence and, sadly, few will ever realize it.
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9-17-2009 @ 4:46PM
Emm781 said...
When I think of Henry Gibson, I think of Laugh-In. He used to read little poems and he was adorable.
Rest in peace, Henry Gibson.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 4:49PM
techstar25 said...
I actually saw him in two movies just last week. He was in "The Burbs" (which my wife forced me to watch for the first time) and "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" (an obscure, yet fun and wacky family sci-fi flick starring Lily Tomlin and directed by Joel Schumacher).
Both movies were on HBO this month. Oddly he played a crazy doctor in both movies.
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9-17-2009 @ 4:50PM
Brandon said...
Elements
by Henry Gibson
I used to like fresh air, when it was there.
And water, I enjoyed it. 'Til we destroyed it.
Each day the lands diminish.
I think I'm finished.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 7:49PM
David said...
Not many actors of his physical stature could convincingly bitch-slap Sterling Hayden and scare the daylights out of him ("Write the CHECK, Roger!") -- if you haven't seen "The Long Goodbye," absolutely DO.
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