Dick Van Patten and Patrick Macnee who both passed away this week were primarily famous for TV series - Van Patten for Eight Is Enough and Macnee for The Avengers (one of my favorite shows).
And while both of these series were enjoyable especially The Avengers, both men also appeared in numerous films in character/supporting roles.
Van Patten's best supporting work was in SOYLENT GREEN (where he helps Edward G Robinson die) and WESTWORLD (as the park visitor with a sheriff fantasy) . He was also in Disney comedies such as THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD and Mel Brooks films such as HIGH ANXIETY and SPACEBALLS.
Macnee's best film acting role is most likely the werewolf psychiatrist in THE HOWLING. He was also Bob Cratchit in the quintessential version of SCROOGE and a doomed fellow agent of 007 in A VIEW TO A KILL. His music producer in THIS IS SPINAL TAP was also popular.
Both men handled humor very well. Van Patten played more deliberately goofy roles while Macnee generally had the reserve and dignity of the stereotypical gentlemen English part he was associated with.
Where they differed - Much harder for Macnee to throw off his strong affectations than Van Patten who not was so set in a role in the public's imagination.
But they were both great character actors. Able to assume supporting roles while being instantly memorable and recognizable to the public. In this day of cookie cutter beauty queens and hunks, performers like these two are a precious commodity.
RIP
No comments:
Post a Comment