05.26.08
Sydney Pollock
I’m always a little bit excited to use tags that I don’t use very often — but I’m not excited to use my obituary tag on Sydney Pollock, who died Sunday at his home in the Pacific Palisades. He was diagnosed with cancer 9 months ago.
From his role as Jack in one of my very favorite Woody Allen movies, Husbands & Wives, to his producing and acting credits on last years truly great Michael Clayton, Pollock brought a certain unassuming sophistication to his work. I have mentioned him on this site before, as someone with an eye for energy and visual stimulation.
With a quiet personal life (he was married to Claire Griswold from 1958 until his death — 50 fucking years) and a screen persona that was more paternal (as evidenced by his role as nurturing, tough-love father figure in Michael Clayton, as well as his turn as Will’s actual father on the sitcom Will & Grace) than commanding, Pollock may not have been the first actor to come to mind when reciting the A-list. But with a filmography that includes 2 Oscars (Best Director and Best Picture for Out of Africa) and a slew of contemporary classics from The Way We Were to Tootsie, Pollock contributed meaning and life to American film and his brand of class and humanity will be missed.
Breeze said,
May 27, 2008 at 10:12 am
Nicely said, amiga.