When I was an acting student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in the mid-1960’s, David Warner was my hero.  His legendary performances as Hamlet and Richard 2 defined the parameters of great classical acting, and he inspired an entire generation.  He then became a movie star, mesmerizing audiences with his indelible characters in Tom Jones and Cable Hogue, and of course, Titanic.  Imagine my delight in playing opposite him in John Carpenter’s Hair, where David brilliantly played an eccentric doctor, whose television ads assured the viewer that he could miraculously restore hair loss.

We became friends, and with our mutual pal, Peter Jason, played golf very badly. But David’s delicious sense of humor, his comradery, diminished the importance of the quality of our golf game.  The score didn’t matter.  Just being in David’s irrepressible presence consumed our delights.

Thank you, David, for giving us so many joyful moments, and for inspiring us to reach for the stars as artists.  We so grateful to you for the sharing of your talents with the world.  My wife, Malgosia, and I extend our sincere condolences to your entire family, and may the spirit of your memory continue to soar in our hearts with blessings. Thank you, David.

-Stacy Keach

Pure Gold!  That’s Betty! The Golden-est of the The Golden Girls.  A comedic miracle!  The sweetest, funniest, most delightfully charming ladies of her generation and many to follow.

I had the great joy, honor, and privilege to work with her some years ago in an episode of Hot In Cleveland. Truly a genius in her sexually playful innuendoes, her impeccable timing and delivery, the nurturing warmth of her smile and her infectious laugh.  The passion and the love she bestowed on, and shared with, others, whether they be members of the cast or crew, was a mirror and a reflection of her love and devotion to her work.  She was a consummate professional, and an inspiration to the many millions of her fans who adored her, as I did and do.

God Bless you and thank you, dear Betty, for sharing your indelible gifts with all of us.  Our thoughts and prayers with you and your family.  You have blessed us with your life and work, and we are so grateful.  Your spirit will always find us smiling in our hearts.

Stacy Keach

He was a creative force, both as an actor and as a citizen of the world.  He was passionate about his work, and he was forever dedicated to the well-being of his fellow actors.

He made us laugh, and he embodied the essence of ‘the original curmudgeon’, that essence wonderfully depicted in Disney’s UP, playing the cranky widower, Carl.  

Ed loved the theater, and he gave us the pleasure of numerous stage appearances, in my opinion, none more satisfying than his performance in G.B. Shaw’s Man and Superman. 

 As a co-founding member of LA Theater Works, his performance as Sinclair Lewis’ Babbitt can only be described as inspired.  

One auspicious evening in 2017, Ed surprised me onstage at the Saban Theater, during a Terence McNally fund-raiser for the Skylight Theater. He took my head in his hands and kissed me right on the lips. The audience was as shocked as I was, but they loved it, and it remains a cherished memory of a lingering cigar aftertaste.

The legacy of Ed Asner will forever be a shining beacon of inspiration for actors who love their craft, and who aspire to improve and enhance their talents by accepting the challenges of great roles in the live theater, together with acting before the camera.

The entire Keach family extend our deepest sympathies to the Asner family, and, thank you, Ed, for sharing your indomitable presence and your extraordinary gifts with all of us.  May God’s Blessings be with you, always. -Stacy Keach

It was my great privilege meeting Norman Lloyd in 1973, when he was the Executive Producer for KCET’s Hollywood Television Theater.  He wanted me to play Napoleon Bonaparte in a production of G.B. Shaw’s Man of Destiny, in exchange for which he offered me the opportunity to direct Arthur Miller’s Incident At Vichy.  I was thrilled and excited to accept his offer, and when I arrived at the KCET studios to meet him, he was just getting out of his car in full tennis attire.

“I’ll be with you a minute, Stace.  Take a seat in my office.  I need a quick shower, then we’ll talk.”

Norman was an avid tennis player, and I have no doubt that his longevity at 106 was at least partially due to his physical stamina, as he continued to play the game well into his 90’s.

He joined me in his office eating a blueberry muffin.

“In order to make you look small as Napoleon, we’re going to oversize all the furniture, you’ll love it,” Norman chuckled.

He possessed a boundless energy, a great sense of humor, and I loved hearing the stories of his working with Orson Welles and the days of the Mercury Theater.  And in fact, his relationship with John Houseman provided me with the opportunity, the following year, to direct Mr. Houseman and Andy Griffith in a production of Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters In Search of An Author. 

A few years ago, I had the great honor of sitting down with Norman for an interview about that production and working together.  I will always be indebted to him for giving me the opportunity to direct.

I will always remember him saying, “One of the most important things in life is tradition.  Innovation is often carved from history. We must always cherish the past.”

Thank you, Norman for your talent, your wisdom, and your indominable spirit.

We will cherish your memory and your inspiration, always.

Stacy Keach