We lost a longtime friend yesterday.
His name was Jonathan McMurtry and he was an extraordinarily fine actor. He was a kind and lovely human being. In the last 24 hours, Don and I have done nothing but talk of Jonathan. And the Old Globe, where Jon worked off and on for over 50 years.
I’m not even sure what age Jon was – I’d say close to 80. Don first met him when he was 18 years old. Working as an apprentice at the Old Globe in San Diego, Don understudied Jon in two roles. Jon welcomed Don and was kind and complimentary. That kindness helped a kid who had been living a tough life after his parents’ divorce; moving from apartment to apartment, each worse than the last, on welfare, feeling insecure, not knowing his place in the world, to feel that he just might be an actor. He might have a path ahead of him, a direction in which to go.
Don is 68. He has known Jonathan for 50 years.
Jonathan was a rare bird. He loved being an actor. I never heard him complain about the life. He lived to work. He often looked like he’d slept in his clothes, smoked incessantly, loved doing the daily crossword puzzle, and more than any other actor I’ve known, had no agenda other than to do the work and do it well and that work included his fellow actors, actors that he always treated with respect. He never complained. Never trashed others. Never had an axe to grind. He just showed up, loved rehearsal, loved tech rehearsals, loved the run of the play. He was brilliant at Shakespeare. He was an incredibly funny clown. And he could rip your heart in two in a serious role.
I worked with him countless times. I loved coaching him. He didn’t need much coaching to tell you the truth, but he welcomed it and always took my notes to heart and incorporated them in his performance.
He and Craig Noel, the founder of the Old Globe were mentors to my husband. Craig has been gone for several years. Jonathan, along with Kathy McGrath (who died two years ago) and Richard Easton, were for several years unofficial resident company members, by virtue of their decisions to live in San Diego. Jonathan was there the longest. He was the heart of the Old Globe. All of them, along with my husband, were made Associate Artists of the Old Globe Theatre because of their longtime commitment to the theater and the excellence of their work.
This is how much Jonathan loved being an actor. I’m quoting from Don’s Facebook post about Jon:
“When he was young and first auditioned for the Old Globe, he was sent to the office of then theatre manager, Adrienne Butler. She told him in her refined and slightly imposing British accent, that it was decided he could join the company that season. Jonathan was over the moon as he sat there, then sheepishly asked how much money that would be. She replied that for the season it would be $500 dollars. He squirmed a bit, then said, “I’ll have to ask my father for the money.” She looked puzzled then replied, “No, no, Jonathan, we’re going to pay YOU $500 dollars.” That’s right. He would have gladly paid for the privilege just to act. I am very sad today. A part of my youth seems to have ended. Bless you, Jonathan, for being there at the very start, and for your kindness to that 18 year old.”
The death of Jonathan is hitting us hard, but especially so for my husband.
I was lucky enough to be at the Globe during its heyday. The artistic triumvirate of Jack O’Brien, Tom Hall and Craig Noel ran the Globe and there was a feeling of family there. I was welcomed with open arms by everyone, including Jonathan. It’s not the same place anymore and that change was already happening when Don and I decided to move East. No theatre can stay the same, not with changes in management. And you can’t go home again. But Jonathan reminds us of the Globe at its best: a home for actors, a place where well-known and not so well-known actors returned again and again. Where actors were celebrated and Shakespeare was played under the stars. Where all of us felt – and much of this was due to Jack and Craig – that we were pursuing something noble, something important. Where excellence was celebrated.
Jonathan was loved by the people of San Diego. Rightfully so. His death is a profound loss to the community and to all of us who knew and loved him. The photo at the top of the post was taken in 2008 when a man I’d never worked with before, Darko Tresnjak, asked me to come out and coach the Shakespeare Summer Rep. Rick had suggested that Darko call me. I had been away from San Diego for seven years. When I arrived, I met mostly new-to-me actors, but there were some old friends there, including Jonathan. How happy I was to see him!
One of my favorite remembrances of Jonathan: We were rehearsing Henry IV, Pts. 1 & 2. Jack was directing. Don was a member of the cast, as was Jonathan, as was John Goodman. John Goodman had a scene with Jon. They started to run the scene and Jonathan’s line readings and his comic timing resulted in Goodman collapsing in laughter. We laughed as well. They’d start again. Laughter. Start again. Laughter. None of us, including Jack O’Brien, could stop laughing. Jonathan was that good. It is still vivid in my memory all these years later. I remember where I was sitting. I remember exactly where Goodman and Jon were in the rehearsal room – downstage left.
Rest in Peace, my friend. You have blessed so many with your presence, with your kindness, your talent, your compassion. I’m so grateful to have known you.
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I can’t close without mentioning that today is the birthday of my dear, beloved sister, Meredith. Happy Birthday, little sister!
Happy Wednesday.
Dear Don and Claudia,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear and beloved friend.
I wish you well,
Kaye
Park City, Utah
Your words of respect and gratitude for your friend Jonathan pay lovely tribute to his presence here and underline the pain of your loss .So sorry Claudia and Don.
And, may your sister’s day be special in honour and celebration of her loved presence here.
Thank you, Grace.
Thank you, Kaye.
My Thoughts and Prays are with you, Claudia and Don.
R.I.P Jonathan.
Judy A
Thank you, Judy.
What a glowing tribute to Jonathan, both by you and Don. What a privilege to have someone like that in your life. I am sure he will be greatly missed. ;)
Thank you, Donnamae.
I’m so sorry about your friend. Both you and Don paid him a wonder tribute in your beautifully written words. So darn sweet that he was prepared to pay to act!!
Thank you, Jenny.
I’m so sorry, Claudia and Don.
Thank you, Jeanie.
Claudia and Don – what fitting tributes you’ve given to your close friend Jonathan. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. If you can leave this earth having been an influence and an inspiration to others, then it’s a life lived well.
Dee Dee x
Thank you, Dee Dee.
So sorry for your loss, Claudia & Don. What a wonderful tribute you both shared. You will always have those memories. ♡
Thank you, Chris.
Oh, I am SO sorry for your loss, Claudia and Don. It’s hard to be the age we are now when it comes to losing people who factored into our lives along the way, but none of us are getting any younger. To pass on and be remembered so lovingly, though, how could any of us not ask for more? A life not wasted.
Thank you, Vicki.
Claudia and Don, sadness but no regrets on your friend’s passing. And happy birthday to your sister Meredith, Claudia.
Thank you, Wendy.
Realized I had missed a day of Claudia Sunshine – upon opening – such sadness.
I mourn for you, I mourn for Don, I mourn for myself. Such a dear one he was.
OO
Thank you, Martha.
Oh, what a beautiful tribute! Thank you ,Claudia, for sharing your beautiful thoughts. I’m in tears. xo
Thank you, Annette.
Such a beautiful tribute to a much loved friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Carol.
Sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace Jonathan.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.
Some people, I believe, are given to us as a gift to our life. He sounds like he was one of yours and Don’s. Deepest sympathy.
Thank you, Cindi.
What sweet remembrance! What a lovely tribute, Claudia!
Thank you, Tina.
I’m so sorry for the loss of a dear friend. Thank you for sharing these memories of him. I realized I had a smile on my face as I read about the “rehearsal laughter”! Prayers for you, Don, and all who loved him.
Thank you, Debbie.
As I get older, it seems the big events become more complicated. Happy birthday to your dearly beloved sister! Certainly a time for celebration. And my deepest sympathies on the loss of your friend and Don’s great mentor. Your portrait of him was so alive and loving. The image of his talent cracking up John Goodman and everyone else with his reading of lines centuries old is a good, good memory. Thank you for sharing. May your hearts find comfort.
Thank you, Nora.
I’m very, very sorry.
Thank you, Cara.
claidia and don …
sorry for the loss of your friend and mentor. what lovely tributes to jonathan are your words and feelings.
nice photo, too.
and happy (belated) birthday to your sister, meredith.
…
oh, the bitter-and-sweetness of life … makes me think of that song from “rent” … “how do you measure …?” and the importance of letting loved ones know they are loved.
thanks for sharing.
hope you do something fun today.
kathy in iowa
whoops … sorry i misspelled your name, claudia!
Thank you, Kathy.
When I was young I thought about getting old, but never once did it enter my mind that that would include losing family and friends. I guess that would be a very good definition of youth. But I have lost two friends in the last three months with a few more in treatments. I am so sorry for the loss that you and Don are suffering. I know those days. I hate that we are losing our generation. My prayers are with you.
Thank you, Tana.
So sad for you and Don. What a loss, but it sounds like a life well lived and that is something we can all aspire to. Hugs. I lost one of my cousins this week. He was younger then my brother and his sister is one of my closest cousins. She and I are both reeling from losing our younger brothers. It is never easy I know. Hugs.
I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your cousin, Linda. It is never easy.
Thank you.