The First Two Important Deaths Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Back in the Fall of 1968, when "To Kill A Mockingbird" was first shown on national television, I had no idea who this guy was playing the reclusive Boo Radley.

                                  Several years later, I was at a screening of "The Godfather," and was struck by not only how good looking Al Pacino was back then, but how striking an actor the performer playing Tom Hagen was.  That actor I later learned was Robert Duvall, and I was astonished to learn that he was the same actor who, ten years before, had played Boo Radley in "To Kill A Mockingbird."

                                     While working at The Library Of The Performing Arts, I recall one of my older coworkers saying how he was auditioning for some stage show that Duvall was in, and that the actor read with him.  He said Duvall, unlike many actors, was exceptionally gracious to him.

                                        So, I was saddened to hear of his passing yesterday, though 95 is a good run.  Hey, it is an "A" on a test.  Duvall, no relation to Shelly, is the last of a dying breed, the craft trained working actor, caring more about art then commerce.

                                        Would you believe, darlings, I have never seen "Tender Mercies?"  Duvall won the Best Actor Of 1983 Oscar for that.  Betty Buckley was in it, too.  I must make an effort to see this film.

                                         As stated, Duvall was one of a dying breed.  May he rest in peace.

                                                                             

                               Now, the Reverend Jesse Jackson was a much different figure.  A reverend, political activist, and all-around personality, I cannot say I was into him, but I knew who he was and respected him.  But he absolutely captivated me when he read "Green Eggs And Ham" aloud on "Saturday Night Live!!!!!!!!!!!!"  How many of us recall that??????????????????????????????

                               I just found out about his passing at 84, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               May both of these world contributors rest in peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!