Posted on 02/10/2008 6:00:57 PM PST by lunarbicep
Roy Scheider, a stage actor with a background in the classics who became one of the leading figures in the American film renaissance of the 1970s, died on Sunday afternoon in Little Rock, Ark. He was 75 and lived in Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Mr. Scheider had suffered from multiple myeloma for several years, and died of complications from a staph infection, his wife, Brenda Seimer, said.
Mr. Scheiders rangy figure, gaunt face and emotional openness made him particularly appealing in everyman roles, most famously as the agonized police chief of Jaws, Steven Spielbergs 1975 breakthrough hit, about a New England resort town haunted by the knowledge that a killer shark is preying on the local beaches.
Mr. Scheider conveyed an accelerated metabolism in movies like Klute (1971), his first major film role, in which he played a threatening pimp to Jane Fondas New York call girl; and in William Friedkins French Connection (also 1971), as Buddy Russo, the slightly more restrained partner to Gene Hackmans marauding police detective, Popeye Doyle. That role earned Mr. Scheider the first of two Oscar nominations.
Born in 1932 in Orange, N.J., Mr. Scheider earned his distinctive broken nose in the New Jersey Diamond Gloves Competition. He studied at Rutgers and at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., where he graduated as a history major with the intention of going to law school. He served three years in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. When he was discharged, he returned to Franklin and Marshall to star in a production of Richard III.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Blue Thunder
Shaw got some good lines, too.
“Here lies the grave of Mary Lee,
She lived to the age of 103.
For 40 long years she kept her virginity,
Not a bad record for this vicinity.....”
“Sal Russo” French Connection
Remember the line, “You must lead a charming life.” to Frog #2 when he came by auto impound to pick up his car?
Never understood how they stripped that car down to the rocker panels, then restored it completely, so quickly.
James Woods
aka "Shark"
The part about him being a typical leftie was, I thought of interest as this board occasionally discusses politics...
The part about his character in Marathon Man being gay, was, I thought just interesting. I had never noticed it until I read an interview with Scheider in which he revealed that he was interested in the role because it was so complex, and that the character being gay was part of what made the character so. I then watched the movie again, and could pick up on it, but it was very subtle.
He passed away in the early 80’s IIRC.
I also thought that was a blown line. Thought he should have said, “You must be leading a CHARMED life”.
I care about political discussions on this board only when it comes to politicians' stances and professional political analysis. I don't care about actors and their politics - whatever their views may be. I especially don't care about an actor's politics when he's passed away and barely cold! That's just the way I feel about it. No offense intended.
I live in Little Rock and the morning paper said Roy had been at our fine UAMS Medical Center on and off for the last two years being treated for skin cancer, He died of a Staph infection. Very sad. I absolutely loved watching Roy in movies and he will be missed. Very underrated Actor.
I remember seeing him in that movie and thinking, "Now that's a man! He is totally hot!" And I was at least 20 years younger than him.
RIP, Roy. Your fans will miss you!
I had no idea and I saw that film twice!
Oh great, that just blew my young girl fantasies to hell!
I agree. Remmeber the scene where one of the crewmembers found some "outlawed" hamburger and was cooking it secretly in his room?
Another crew member came in and said "What is that awful smell"
I agree. Remmeber the scene where one of the crewmembers found some "outlawed" hamburger and was cooking it secretly in his room?
Another crew member came in and said "What is that awful smell"
I agree. Remmeber the scene where one of the crewmembers found some "outlawed" hamburger and was cooking it secretly in his room?
Another crew member came in and said "What is that awful smell"
Maybe that's because Gene Hackman never really grew old, and Scheider was always a little bit younger.
“Stay healthy. We need you.”
Doin’ my best in Massachusetts,but it isn’t easy around here.
“The Wages of Fear” is of an order of magnitude greater.
I saw part of it once, but not enough to decide whether it was better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.