Like they had no flaws.
Never had a bad moment, were never inconsiderate or selfish or difficult or treated anyone like crap.
I have no use for hagiography unless it’s for actual saints.
But he was really good.
And he was really difficult.
We can say it now, but he was a tough guy.
Older, great actors do not give young directors much of a chance.
Theyre really rough on them, and Gene was really rough on Wes [Anderson, the director].
I used to kind of step in there and just make a run at defend my friend.
Big, long camera move, panning, all this stuff.
I was watching it going, No wonder this guy wants to throttle people.
So much so that he and Harold Ramis stopped being friends after makingGroundhog Daytogether.
Which is the perfect way to honor a man’s legacy.
Not worshipful praise, which seems to be the setting people always default to.
This especially resonates with me because some buddies and I were texting this morning about old Red Sox baseball.
And what high maintenance divas Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez could be.
He said it’s a pie chart.
But no slice of the pie is bigger than any other.
Be funny, of course.
But it’s just important to be good to work with.
To show up on time.
To do the amount of time you’re asked to, and so on.
As opposed to legendary pains in the ass like, for example, Steven Seagal.
Who on his best day didn’t make Gene Hackman films.
The bottom line is this has me appreciating this great artist’s work even more.
Requiscat in Paceto this showbusiness great.
