Off Book

Patrick Stewart and the lines no one wrote for him

By the author.

When an actor or performer passes away, I’m struck by how people identify the individual through the roles they played rather than the person. The quotes circulating are largely those of the parts, especially roles that were popular and considered wise, or brave, or whatever positive adjective serves. But is it not clear those roles and quotes come from screenwriters — from people who created a character — and not from the actor himself or herself? That this blending of actor and character is nothing more than identifying something they find acceptable or desirable in themselves?

I have gently pointed this out in small groups and discussions, and the almost universal response is that the actor shared these qualities as well. In some cases, perhaps; but again, the roles are built by authors and screenwriters who had their own purpose in creating them. What about actors who consistently played B-characters, or worse, only those who were less than admirable? Do they receive the same accolades as those whose roles were popular and considered exemplary? Does anyone eulogize the villain with his own dialogue?

A tale

I am reminded of the apocryphal story of Nixon, looking at the portrait of JFK in the White House and saying, to paraphrase: When they look at you, they see…