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Hopper and Coleman
Published on May 30, 2010 By Dr Guy In Blogging

Yesterday, Dennis Hopper and Gary Coleman died.  For someone of my age, they are very significant and their loss just plays on our mortality.  Dennis Hopper was "Easy Rider" along with so many other great roles.  He was the easiest to identify with as he seemed to be like you and me, only bigger and in Hollywoodese, what we dreamt about.  Until his last, I always love his roles.  They were the psycho part of us, yet they were bigger.  Or they were the sane part of us trying to remember what we were.

Gary Coleman was a child to us (my age group).  He was the symbol that color was not an issue.  That Martin's Dream had come true. His series was silly, but very funny, and encouraging!  It was about the time when we saw our neighbors, brothers, friends and children.  And we did not notice if they were somehow supposed to be different.  We were not!  We were all just trying to get through life.

But Gary had a hard life.  His height was due to a kidney problem, and after his series, he could not get more work.  But instead of dropping into the abyss of other child stars (like his co-star), he basically overcame and showed us that real Americans learn how to adapt, overcome and persevere.  He is one of my most admired people, even though the number of actors on that list is extremely small.  But Gary was more than an actor,  He was a great American.

I will miss them both.  Another part of my life has gone.  But I will treasure their contributions to my life as both made it a lot richer, especially Gary.

Rest in peace Dennis and Gary.  You have earned eternal rest and our thanks.


Comments
on May 30, 2010

Coleman was fairly memorable to me because of Diff'rent Strokes.  I knew of his difficulties (and those of his other castmates... sadly that show seemed to have been a curse for most of it's younger cast) and always felt a bit sorry for him.  It's a shame that he never really found happiness later in life.  Several years my junior, but still from my era (like DrGuy has noted).

Hopper was an icon.  While not a big fan of his earlier works, I totally respect the body of work he accumulated.  Definitely a class act.  I'm thankful that I can look in my Blu-ray collection and find Hoosiers to watch in his honor (among other things).  A small role, but still played to perfection of course.  A bit older than my generation, but still someone that I'm very familiar with as his best works hit as I was growing up, or perhaps I should say his best works were many times featured as classics when I was younger.

on May 30, 2010

An excellent eulogy for both of them Terp.  Thank you.

on May 31, 2010

One of the things about Gary that I noticed that last couple of years is that he was able to laugh at his own misfortunes and allowed others to poke fun at him.

We were talking about Dennis Hopper last night.  Is there any limit to the kinds of characters he played?  He always brought life to his roles and had an almost "wink-at-the-camera" relationship with his audience.  Good article, Doc.

on May 31, 2010

I though this article was about me for a moment. I was gonna say i wasn't gone that i was still here.

on Jun 01, 2010

We were talking about Dennis Hopper last night. Is there any limit to the kinds of characters he played? He always brought life to his roles and had an almost "wink-at-the-camera" relationship with his audience.

While I was not talking about Dennis last night, I have to agree with this assessment.  He brought you into his role and made you love him or hate him depending upon the intention of the role.

And yes, Gary was a survivor.  He had some good luck, and then got dealt a bad hand.  But he knew how to move on and live.

on Jun 01, 2010

CharlesCS
I though this article was about me for a moment. I was gonna say i wasn't gone that i was still here.

Are you getting schizophrenic?  There is only One Charles last I checked.