George Kennedy’s death at 91 means that another one of those iconic legends that I and millions of others grew up watching on television (Saturday Night at the Movies) and later on the big screen is gone. While it is a trite phrase, often overused, suffice to say that in Kennedy’s case, they really do not make em like that anymore.
The last film George Harris Kennedy worked on was the abysmal Mark Wahlberg remake of The Gambler. Watching the film’s screener for review I was shocked to see how old the Cool Hand Luke actor appeared. In my mind he was ageless.
The first time I ever saw Kennedy on screen was in the film The Sons of Katie Elder. He played the surly gunsel hired to “take care” of John Elder (Duke Wayne) and the huge man first meets Duke’s character as he plunges the town’s undertaker’s head repeatedly into a barrel of water. Curly’s high-pitched “piggy” giggle as he almost drowns the man is interrupted with John Elder’s shouted, “Hey” and an pickaxe handle in the face.
This scene was iconic enough that is has been repeated in other films, even Gremlins has Zach Galligan’s character re-enact the scene but with a sword.
The Sons of Katie Elder moment was not an isolated incident. Kennedy played characters whose actions stood out in films, whether they were award winning movies like Cool Hand Luke, or more pedestrian fare like Clint Eastwood’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (where Kennedy’s character rather nastily beats a young Lightfoot (Lloyd Bridges) so badly that the boy dies a lingering death), Kennedy was one of those actors who stood out.
George Kennedy could play comedy, as proven in his turns in the Naked Gun franchise as well as menacing bad men. He was equally at home as bluff good guys, snotty bad guys or the “last” slave to shout “I am Spartacus,” in the 1960 film, Kennedy brought a truth and believability to all his roles.
The New York born son of a ballet dancer and musician/orchestra leader was equally home in any genre playing any role. Regardless of the budget or the part, the Oscar winning actor made you believe him.
The cigar chomping airport savior, Patroni, who clears off the snow in the 1970 film Airport where he shared screen credits with Dean Martin but not screen time. He worked with Dino before in Bandolero! as the lovesick sheriff July Johnson who chases Martin through Mexico.
Throughout a career that began in 1956 (The Phil Silvers Show) and ended with the 2014 film The Gambler the actor played cops, soldiers, murderers, heroes, convicts, and all manner of roles across the board. Watching Kennedy accept his Oscar for Cool Hand Luke, one can see the innate gentleness on his face and in his voice, a trait that caused people to all him the nicest man in Hollywood.
Watching any of Kennedy’s performances is a lesson is acting and reacting. The actor could convey a myriad of emotions with his eyes and face alone, dialogue was not required for this character actor to convince the viewer of his character’s veracity.
I was actually surprised into tears at the news of Kennedy’s passing. He was a firm favorite, and not just from the many westerns watched all those years ago on Saturday night television, one who could always be counted upon to stand out and make his performance memorable, regardless of the film’s budget.
George Kennedy (1925 – 2016) a huge man whose six-foot four-inch frame was dwarfed by his ability to make us believe completely in his characters actions on screen big and small. They really do not “make em like that” anymore.
Agreed!
Oh, yes. They don’t make’em like George Kennedy anymore. A truly sublime character actor who could do good guy and villain with ease. He’ll be sorely missed.