Suddenly, I’m leaving for NYC in two days. I have a lot to do in that time and I lost a few days earlier in the week because I was sick. So, it’s crunch time here at the cottage.
But today, I’d like to take a moment to mourn our friend, Peter Scolari, who passed away from cancer at the age of 66 – much too young. I met him and immediately liked him, but Don was the one who really knew him. In 2002, they were in a production of The Foreigner at the Berkshire Theater Festival. I saw it. It was wildly funny and the lead role of Charlie Baker was absolutely brilliantly done by Peter. Also in the cast was the late, great Betsy Palmer. I met Peter on the green in front of the theater where he was playing with his kids. He was a lovely, funny, and kind man. He was also a gloriously talented actor. Don ran into him in NYC over the years and they always had a great time catching up with each other.
But let me share Don’s Facebook post about Peter:
I was honored to work with Peter Scolari in 2002. We were doing The Foreigner at Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge. I got to play Froggy to his Charlie Baker. Peter was a Buster Keaton fan. As am I. He named a child of his Keaton to honor him. That kind of a fan. Well, we both knew that Buster had played the same old theatre years ago, and there were these very old wooden steps leading up to the stage which we had to use to enter. Peter and I opened the show and in the dark each night, we took a silent pause at the bottom of those old wooden steps, for we knew they were the very same ones HE had walked up. Sounds corny, but we were dead serious. Call it an actor’s prayer. Every show. Peter was the funniest, kindest, most gifted actor I ever worked with. I ran into him in Manhattan years later, and he told me he thought I was like Abraham Lincoln. I’m very sad today, and humbled, and grateful.
Oh, how he’ll be missed. Don and I talked about him often. In fact, we saw him in a very funny episode of King of Queens a couple of weeks ago. As always, Don spoke of what a wonderful actor and human being he was. And that Peter was an amazing juggler, and he always juggled on his rehearsal breaks.
He and Tom Hanks were great friends from the day they started work on Bosom Buddies until his death.
I’m thinking of Peter today.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
I am sorry for the loss, of your beloved friend. Don’s post brought me to tears. What a beautiful expression of love for a friend that will be missed.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Oh, Claudia, I was sad when I heard this news yesterday, as I always admired Peter’s work and wonderful coming timing. But now I am sad for you and Don as well, for it is very hard to lose a friend. What beautiful words Don shared. Sending love and healing wishes.
Thank you, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I was saddened when I read he died. I also saw he had 4 children, and sent a prayer out for his family.
I admired his work, and this is a lovely tribute.
It’s wonderful he is so lovingly remembered, and I’m sorry for your loss as well.
Thank you, Jan.
Stay safe.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Beautiful post, Don. xx
Thank you, April.
Stay safe.
I was so sad to read of the passing of Peter Scolari. A wonderful actor and he seemed like such a nice man. Its lovely but sad to read Don’s tribute to him. I’m at the age now where so many of the people in entertainment that I am a fan of are passing away. The Circle of Life, but not easy at all. Sending you both love as you mourn the passing of your friend.
Thank you, Linda.
Stay safe.
I saw last night that he had passed. I really enjoyed him in the Bob Newhart show as well as Bosom Buddies. I know that KOQ episode w the check in the gravy boat & the trip to New Orleans, I think it was. He was a great actor and Don’s tribute was beautiful. He was too young to be taken. So very sad. Take care, kiddo.
Thank you, Chris.
Stay safe.
As a friend of ours wrote to us recently, “F#*@kkk Cancer!!! Was so sorry to read this. Beautiful tributes from you two, though. Many will miss him, though they never met him.
Thank you Shanna.
Stay safe.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Peter Scolari. He was a very funny man, taken too young. Don’s tribute is very moving.
You’re on the countdown….hope you can check off lots of things on your list! ;)
Thank you, Donna!
Stay safe.
oh …
condolences to and prayers for peter scolari’s family and friends, including you and don.
beautiful tributes from you both for a talented, much-liked, kind man who is gone much too young.
life is both beautiful and hard. take it easy as possible.
and keep feeling better.
xo
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
So many…sad…prayers…enjoy time in nyc…
Thank you, Brenda.
Stay safe.