Guys like Richard Libertini don't get Oscar nominations. You know why they don't? Because the world sucks, that's why. Because he's played supporting and bit parts on practically every television show from the seventies on, without doing enough "serious" film work.
Because he's never had a big meaty supporting role where he discovers his wife is cheating on him the same week he's diagnosed with a rare brain disease and gets to die a horrible death so the much less interesting lead actor can learn something from all of it.
Because he's dependable, talented and never a problem.
But mostly, it's because people are stupid. Well, the people in the Academy, that is. I mean, is there anyone on earth who hasn't enjoyed a Richard Libertini performance in something? If you're not sure which movie you saw him in, or which one you enjoyed the most, just pick up the remote and start clicking. Odds are even after about ten minutes you'll come across one. That's how much this guy works. Personally, I put him on my short list for his hilarious turn as General Garcia in the original The In-Laws. That's a performance that is entertaining, perfectly timed and expertly played but it's also played entirely for laughs and that's not Oscar worthy.
Yeah, yeah, I know, "Screw Oscar!" That is, in fact, my view most of the time. But it's also a peer award and that's important to people in the industry, people who have been working their asses off for decades with no recognition. And it would be nice if every now and then someone like Richard Libertini got a lifetime achievement award for, you know, a lifetime of achievement!
But that's not going to happen. What is going to happen is I'm going to give him my heartfelt thanks for providing me with something more than entertainment all these years. I'm going to thank him for providing me with assurance and comfort. You see, whenever Richard Libertini comes on the screen, I am assured that no matter how bad the show or movie I am watching may be, it will be good while he's onscreen, and that brings me comfort. If the show or movie is good, well, it's all icing.
Celebrate and Testify! Richard Libertini, Wanderer Extraordinaire!
14 comments:
Great comic actor. Also very funny as the "Swami" in All of Me, confusing a ringing telephone with a flushing toilet. (Only Libertini could make that funny.)
I love him in All of Me! He's great in that! The way he repeats everything Steve Martin says to him - "Back in bowl!" "Airport?" "Shhh!"
Great comedic turn.
Another funny Libertini performance: Father Drobney in DON'T DRINK THE WATER (1969).
All of Me -- I see I'm not the first person to remember that one. "Back in bowl" is still a useful line in my kitchen.
And The In-Laws is a neglected classic.
Temple, I've never seen that version (I saw the Woody Allen approved tv version years later but never that one). I imagine he's the best thing in the movie (although, the whole cast is great).
MM, I love The In-Laws. Never saw the remake and probably never will. Just watched the original again recently though and it holds up wonderfully.
tdraicer:
The In-Laws is a comedy classic, and the two stars are perfect-and yet Libertini completely walks off with the film the second he appears. Oscar-worthy indeed!
Pretty decent in Sharkey's Machine.
tdraicer, so true. Falk and Arkin are perfect in their roles and the movie is genuinely funny but when Libertini comes on, he's all there is.
Patrick, I have to see that again. I watched it on cable back in the early eighties and liked it but haven't seen it since.
I second Patrick's celebration of Libertini in SHARKY'S MACHINE, him and so many other potential subjects for your Wanderers posts (although some may be considered too big for "character actor" status): Bernie Casey, Charles Durning, John Fiedler, Brian Keith, Joseph Mascolo, Hari Rhodes, and Henry Silva.
Libertini is brilliantly funny in Sharkey's Machine. And then...
Got to meet him some years ago and tell him how much I loved his work. Exceedingly humble and swell.
Tony, Charles Durning and Brian Keith probably are too big as character actors for this but not the others. Casey and Fiedler have always been favorites, especially Fiedler, going back to the Wolf in the Fold episode of Star Trek.
Arbo, you meet all the cool people.
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