Roy Scheider, R.I.P.
You've probably heard already that Roy Scheider, perhaps most memorable as the police chief in Jaws, has died. I always enjoyed Scheider's performances -- he was one of those actors who'd pop up in an otherwise lousy movie and make it worth watching for a while.
I wanted to remark on his passing because Scheider appeared in two of the best crime films of the 1970s: The French Connection and Marathon Man. The latter, based on William Goldman's great thriller, is a particular favorite of mine.
Scheider usually supported the star, seldom taking a solo turn in the spotlight. But few people did it better than him. He'll be missed.
He was also in THE SEVEN UPS - the most underrated crime movie of the 70's, and the best car chase, French Connection included.
Posted by: Guyot | February 11, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Guyot speaks the truth --- The Seven Ups is a classic. Scheider was also in Romeo Is Bleeding, with Gary Oldman, and he should have won the Oscar for portraying Bob Fosse in All That Jazz, one of the great self-destructive biographies of all time.
Posted by: Tim Maleeny | February 11, 2008 at 05:38 PM
He was BRILLIANT in 'All That Jazz'. And yes, I'd forgotten about 'The Seven Ups'-thanks for the reminder...
Posted by: Elaine Flinn | February 12, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Gotta agree with Tim. Scheider's performance in "All That Jazz" was incredible. Oscar-nominated, he lost the statue to Dustin Hoffman in "Kramer vs. Kramer," a more accessible film.
Posted by: PAUL LEVINE | February 12, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Oh no! Skip reading blogs for a night and look what happens. He was a wonderful actor, great screen presence. Of course he made some bad movies, but that's hard to avoid given how many movies are bad, but he sure enhanced any he was in. Wonderful face.
Posted by: Maxine | February 12, 2008 at 03:17 PM