February 11, 2008
Actor Roy Scheider Dies at 75
Actor Roy Scheider died yesterday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, after battling multiple myeloma for several years and suffering complications from a staph infection. He was 75 and had been living in Sag Harbor, New York (after moving out his house in Sagaponack that Billy Joel purchased).
Scheider may be best known for his role as Police Chief Martin Brody in Jaws. One of his lines from the movie, "You're gonna need a bigger boat," was voted #35 on the American Film Institute's list of top 100 movie quotes in 2005. However, the New Jersey born actor made his mark before that in movies like The French Connection and Klute. The latter was his first major movie role, it took place in New York and he played Jane Fonda's pimp.
Before hitting the big screen, he played Mercutio in 1961's New York Shakespeare Festival production of “Romeo and Juliet.” He later returned to the stage in Harold Pinter’s 1980 production of “Betrayal”. In recent years, he had been seen in a recurring role on Third Watch and in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent last year.
Later in his life Scheider had become politically active, amongst other things he protested military action in Iraq at a New York demonstration in March 2003 alongside 125,000 other activists.The NY Times recaps his life on and off the stage and screen, noting that he helped found the Hayground School in Bridgehampton along with poet Kathy Engle. The school is "dedicated to creating an innovative, culturally diverse learning environment for local children. At the time of his death, Mr. Scheider was involved in a project to build a film studio in Florence, Italy, for a series about the history of the Renaissance."
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For me the death of an actor is sometimes really sad because I am reminded of what I was doing, or who I was whenever I was watching his or her film(s). (OH! I was here when that was made. I was dating so-and-so, etc.)
Jaws was one of those movies I could watch over and over again and never really get tired of it. I love that film. It spans a great deal of my youth and adult life.
I know that might sound selfish, but I'm trying to maybe explain why it is people get so worked up and/or upset over the death of an actor (ie. someone they don't even know.)
He jumped the shark.
"Smile you sonofa..."
He was so good as Cloudy in "The French Connection." Rest in peace, Roy Scheider.
Anyone else remember the cheesy '90s show SeaQuest? He was the best part. Well, him and the dolphin.
This is such sad news.
I think we are going to need a bigger boat!
Let us not forget his amazing role in SEAQUEST DSV!
Let us not forget his amazing role in SEAQUEST DSV!
That was a great show. Your all just a bunch of haters.
In the late 70's he lived in the West 90's -- frequently saw him jogging while I was making my way to work -- he always said hello. Class act -- will be missed.
@4: Yeah, he was perfect in French Connection. I also love jaws. G-dspeed sir, you have provided me with countless hours of entertainment. Huzzah!
Not to mention how great he was in The Seven Ups and All That Jazz. A great actor.
Oh, Kojak, I loved the show. (Well, the first season or 2, anyway.) But it was cheesy.
aw that sucks, what other actor could do All That Jazz and the French connection? a class act all around.
Oh why couldn't it have been Rob Schneider?
Rocknrope, I feel your pain.