Wednesday 11 January 2012

James Gale

The elder brother of a good friend of mine (I have just found out) has died of cancer here in Bath, between Christmas and the New Year.

Jim was an actor, and had been in a few films (described as 'bad' even by himself) and was living in New York, but had moved back to the UK with his American wife and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, where he was getting some good, title parts until diagnosed with the illness.

His brothers said he looked a little like a dark haired Bruce Willis, but I never saw that.

Jim was living on the other side of the river when the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11, and telephoned his brother here to give an eye-witness account as they came down.

Now I think of Jim portraying the dying moments of Rutger Hauer in 'Blade Runner' - "I have seen things you people would not believe..."

Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.


18 comments:

  1. He looks familiar, and looks very young... illness doesn't discriminate. A sad tale.

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  2. I note that Mr Blogger hasn't been idle over night. Reply Delete.... I wonder why.

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    1. This is what happens when you click the 'reply' button. Don't think I like it.

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  3. Yeah he does look familiar. What films was he in?

    He looks a bit like Dennis Farina sans moustache...

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  4. They seem to have altered the format last night, and now it looks more like a forum set-up, where specific responses can be added. I'll post this up, then try 'reply' to see what happens.

    I think he was in a very crappy 'Diehard' type film (according to his brother) but I haven't seen it. It got terrible ratings and can now be seen around 3 o'clock in the morning on American tv, apparently. I think that was the only one he starred in. He was beginning to do well in the RSC before getting ill, though. Shame.

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  5. Always sad when someone leaves this world Tom - I am not quite sure how we accommodate it into our psyche -the older one gets the more it becomes necessary to do as one after another they go. I went to Ground Zero a couple of years ago and that was bad enough - can't imagine what witnessing it from such close qusarters must have been like.

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  6. Did you know him well? I'm sorry for your friend. :( That must have been scary, though, to watch the twin towers. I was lucky to have been far away in the Bronx, but I remember that my only thought was to worry about my dad, who works very close to there.

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  7. True, Weaver.

    I know his other three brothers a lot better than I knew him, Chris. I only met him a few times. Nice guy though - like all of them. I hope your dad was alright.

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  8. I still haven't got used to this personal reply option, so I will try to remember the next time...

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  9. there is only one James Gale on IMDB (internet movie data base) and although his films were not really highbrow, at least he made a few which is always good for an actor I suppose...

    far far too young to die..... arnt they all eh

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    1. who are these creeps post here? trolls looking for a bridge? he was in bill murrays elephant movie, as the auto mechanic at the end. i knew him for a yr here in america. he died very young.i haven't forgotten his story, don't worry. be seeing you. )

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  10. I'm glad you boys have sorted out this new reply-delete thing. I was confounded when I saw it today.
    I'm sorry for your friend Tom...losing a sibling is tough.

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    1. True, Jacqueline. I wonder if you can opt out of the 'reply' option?

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  11. I just learned that James has passed away. My son worked with him in D.C. as a young child, and this was heartbreaking news. We would like to send a card to his family members. Are you able to provide me with any contact information for them? My email address is franklyanne at yahoo dot com. Thank you so much.

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  12. I have found your blog from a google search for James. I worked with him when he was still at school directing him in the Colchester Youth Theatre as Shylock in"The Merchant of Venice" and at the University of Essex in Harold Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter". After not having heard of him for a long while I saw him across teh courtyard of the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford where he was playing Antigonus in "The Winter's Tale" - happily he remembered me and we briefly caught up before the performance. As you say, he seemed to be doing well and have found his niche again - then silence, and about a year ago I found something about a benefit held for him by RSC actors - then nothing else. I am very sad, but not surprised, to have my fears for his health confirmed. Can't see a way to post a picture of the young James in role here - but if anyone wants a picture I can provide.

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  13. Hello, James Gale directed a Shakespeare play at Baker College, Rice University in 1993, and Baker Shakespeare is celebrating its semicentennial this year. I would love to include a photo of James as a past director, and include his birth year, which I do not know, as well as the year of his passing, which I understand to be 2011. Can anyone possibly verify what year Mr. Gale was born? We would like to remember his contribution to the tradition of Shakespeare theatre at Rice University.

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