I was extremely sorry to hear about the passing of actor, director and writer Robert Culp. Like most nerds my age, I first saw Culp in The Greatest American Hero, and his character "Bill Maxwell" still comes to mind when I hear the words "FBI agent." (I can't help it.) Only later would I discover and enjoy Culp in other roles, including I Spy, the famous Outer Limits episode "Demon With a Glass Hand," and of course, neo-noir classic Hickey & Boggs, which I've watched a half-dozen times over the past year. (And probably will watch again, tonight.)Last week, when I wrote about the upcoming showing of Hickey & Boggs, I never would have dreamed that I'd be writing this post. Robert Culp seemed like one of those guys who'd be around forever, because... well, he's Robert Culp, damn it. As Bill Maxwell once said: "If you're looking for trouble, you've just come across the West Coast distributor."
Needless to say, next month's showing of Hickey & Boggs will be dedicated to Culp. I wish he could have joined us. I imagine he would have had some amazing stories to share...
6 comments:
...and he played Debra's dad Warren on Everybody Loves Raymond...great comedic actor as well.
Troy
He was incredibly talented--a film actor and wonderful director. When he visited my class in '93, he knew EVERY FRAME of "Hickey and Boggs," and clearly understood that it would be his best achievement. I am looking now at the "H&B" poster he signed then, and it strikes me that it contains a compliment for "Secret Dead Blog": he wrote--"Many thanks for keeping the flame--the real job of a genuine critic." Duane--you are doing that today. And Wow, did you choose the right picture. "Didja pay the phone??" "I could pay either the phone or the answering service...." Thanks--Jerry Holt
Sorry this is off-topic, but I saw and bought a copy of EXPIRATION DATE from The Strand Bookstore/NYC tonight. Am very much looking forward to it!
Awesome, Tiffany. Glad to hear it's escaping into the wild!
Troy: I didn't realize that. Two of my icons (Peter Boyle, Culp) were on the same show?
Jerry: I've said this before, but man, I envy your students in that class.
Yes, Duane!
Peter Boyle was Ray's dad and Robert Culp was Debra's dad.
Take care,
Troy
Well done, sir - you managed to hit all of my thoughts as well. Culp was the coolest cat on TV when I was a kid, and I can't imagine him no longer being a part of the world. What a loss.
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