Saget’s was the biggest shock. 65 and seemingly fine the night before where he performed for two hours. I met him once very briefly but didn’t know him at all. However, going by my Facebook news feed, everybody who ever worked with him loved him and was devastated. (I am also the only person on Facebook it seems who does not have a picture with him.)
My newsfeed is a good indicator of how a celebrity was really received. Most of my friends are industry professionals so these are people who know and worked with him. And their accounts were all glowing.
Trust me, when that’s not the case and the celebrity was a dick, the reactions are usually “Gee, that’s sad” or “Hunh.” No testimonials, no photos — “I guess I’m obligated to acknowledge this so I am.”
But people listed above were all admired, both for their graciousness as well as talent.
The only one I knew personally was Dwayne Hickman. For Boomers that must’ve been a gut punch because it’s yet another part of our childhood no longer with us. Dwayne Hickman was Dobie Gillis.
In the ’80s, Dwayne had left acting and was a current program executive at CBS. He was our CBS rep on AfterMASH, and I know writers grouse about “suits,” but Dwayne was a pleasure to deal with. You really got the feeling he was on your side. And you could kid him about being Dobie Gillis. Sometimes I’d call him Dobie, or if he gave a note I’d say, “I’m gonna kill that boy! (the dad’s catchphrase on DOBIE GILLIS).
White and Poitier were in their 90’s. Their deaths were sad, but they lived rich long lives. Bob Saget however — 65 is way too young. And as of this writing, the cause is still a mystery.
Like I said, what’s happening? We haven't completed two weeks yet of this year.
from By Ken Levine
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