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Title: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: Menard on May 01, 2007, 10:42:51 PM Tom Poston was a regular on television, both as a series regular and as a guest star. His list of appearances is quite extensive, and even if someone was not familiar with his recurring roles (Mr. Bickley on Mork & Mindy and George Utley on Newhart) most anybody has at least seen Tom Poston in any number of appearances and has a good chuckle as a reward.
Tom Poston has been a staple of television who has always delivered in whatever role he was playing, but, alas , that staple has moved on at the age of 85. He has left a considerable body of work for us all to enjoy whether we are looking for a laugh or for someone to cheer us up, and for it to be done with style. Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: ulthar on May 01, 2007, 11:11:46 PM Wow. I last saw him in "Committed" and remarked to my wife that I thought he did not look well. Still, he was funny as the odd, quirky Clown living in the closet waiting to die.
RIP, Tom. Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: JaseSF on May 02, 2007, 01:51:51 PM My all-time favourite performance by him was in the classic Boris Karloff "Thriller" episode "Masquerade" as the husband of Elizabeth Montgomery before she went on to fame in "Bewitched". Was also a fan of his "Newhart" work. R.I.P., we've lost another fine character actor.
Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: Raffine on May 02, 2007, 09:46:33 PM My all-time favourite performance by him was in the classic Boris Karloff "Thriller" episode "Masquerade" as the husband of Elizabeth Montgomery before she went on to fame in "Bewitched". Was also a fan of his "Newhart" work. R.I.P., we've lost another fine character actor. That is a great episode and features terrific performance by Poston and Montgomery. The first time I saw it I admit the twist ending took me by surprise. John Carradine's in it, too. The 'old dark house' in the episode was the same one used in PSYCHO. Poston's last seven years must have been great: he married the incredibly sexy Suzanne Pleshette in 2000. Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: Yaddo 42 on May 02, 2007, 09:47:08 PM Yep, a staple of comedic TV has been lost, never a huge star, but always a welcome presence. Even in a weak sitcom like Commited, he was one of the reasons I kept watching (the trashy friend of the female lead/babysitter was the other). Although I remember thinking there was something grimly realistic to him playing a dying character even for laughs, since I too thought he looked rough or tired.
He even got laughs without speaking in an episode of Becker. Much better than that show was usually capable of. I think it was his character that got me to watch Newhart on a regular basis. Larry, Darryl, and Darryl got my attention, but Poston made me a fan, since I didn't know what he was going to say next. If you get the chance check out his work on the old Steve Allen show. He was part of a great group of performers, many who are familiar faces like Don Knotts, Bill Dana, and Poston. Comedy Gold. Just to give him his b-movie due, he was the star of one of William Castle's lesser known movies Zotz!. I saw it years ago on TV (TNT probably), it was pretty cute in my memory but I'd like to see it again. Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: Menard on May 02, 2007, 10:02:55 PM It never really dawned on me until I heard of his death just how much Tom Poston was a part of television. The number of shows in which he guested is astounding and his presence was always a welcome sight. He was, quite literally, always somewhere on television.
I really can't describe his humor. He could give the most deadpan delivery of a simple line and make someone laugh. He will truly be missed as he has given us so much to remember him by. Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: RCMerchant on May 04, 2007, 06:05:08 AM My all-time favourite performance by him was in the classic Boris Karloff "Thriller" episode "Masquerade" as the husband of Elizabeth Montgomery before she went on to fame in "Bewitched". Was also a fan of his "Newhart" work. R.I.P., we've lost another fine character actor. That is a great episode and features terrific performance by Poston and Montgomery. The first time I saw it I admit the twist ending took me by surprise. John Carradine's in it, too. The 'old dark house' in the episode was the same one used in PSYCHO. Poston's last seven years must have been great: he married the incredibly sexy Suzanne Pleshette in 2000. It's funny you should mention an OLD DARK HOUSE...because he was in the 1960's comedy remake! (http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5999/theolddarkhouseio4.jpg) That's him with the tennis racket... Title: Re: R.I.P. Tom Poston Post by: Poogie on May 07, 2007, 10:05:31 AM The movie I most remember him for is Cold Turkey, he played a good drunk, funny, funny. :smile:
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p240/denjoy73/140475_1020_A.jpg) |