Brian Dennehy –Straight from the Heart
It was a joy to watch actor Brian Dennehy last night at the Appel Salon, as he captivated a full house during his onstage conversation with Richard Ouzounian. At 73, he says he has no regrets –he admits to past excesses, but says life is a like a mango –to be seized and “pressed against your face, with all the juices dripping down.”
He talked about his early days, — a football scholarship, a stint in the Marines, and a relatively late start in acting in his mid twenties. When asked what keeps him working now, he talked eloquently about his need to be involved in acts of creation, a process he called “being in the room.”
He also said Stratford (where he’s currently starring in two plays) has the best acting company in the world, and that Canadians should be rightly proud. (He did add however, that although he loved Toronto and New York, Chicago is the best city in the world. Can’t win’em all.)
Dennehy was among the first events of the Appel Salon fall season. Tonight we’re welcoming the fire breathing Dragon Kevin O’Leary, and coming in future weeks are Randy Bachman, Karen Kain, Jeffrey Eugenides, Umberto Eco and Alan Hollinghurst. Don’t forget you need tickets to Salon events.
2 thoughts on “Brian Dennehy –Straight from the Heart”
My children and I saw Mr. Dennehy at Stratford in both “Twelfth Night” and “The Homecoming.” He was totally amazing. We waited after seeing “The Homecoming,” and he was gracious enough to gives us a few minutes of his time along with autographs and a photograph. What a wonderful person and great stage actor!
My husband and I also saw Twelfth Night and The Homecoming and I met Brian Dennehy after seeing The Homecoming, next door at Fosters. Our waitress went and asked him if I could come over to get his autograph, and he said, sure, come on over. I agree, he was totally amazing….he’s a very nice man, very friendly and down to earth….and a great actor! Although he won’t be back next season at Stratford as he will be acting with Nathan Lane and Stephen Ouimette in Chicago…I certainly hope he will come back to Stratford the following season. He told me he will….if he’s asked!