Roy Scheider, RIP

February 10, 2008 7:22 PM

Roy Scheider, rest in peace.
posted by incomple (134 comments total)

RIP. He was a truly great character actor.
posted by jonmc at 7:23 PM on February 10

Aw, I just saw this on the Yahoo front page. He was awesome in All That Jazz.
posted by 45moore45 at 7:25 PM on February 10 [2 favorites]

Aw maaaan... I have a giant soft spot for Roy Scheider, he's a joy to watch even in crappy movies.
posted by Kattullus at 7:26 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by dbiedny at 7:26 PM on February 10

I'll admit it. I came to do something silly with the ., but I just remembered the respect paid in the last RIP thread -- which I posted.

Snarking would be wrong. I enjoyed his work. Thanks, Mr. Scheider, for the entertainment.
posted by eriko at 7:27 PM on February 10

Good night, Dr. Benway.
posted by Dave Faris at 7:28 PM on February 10 [2 favorites]

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Show me the way to go home, I'm tired and I wanna go to bed.

Rest in peace.
posted by edmcbride at 7:29 PM on February 10 [3 favorites]

we'll have to get a bigger thread....
posted by jonmc at 7:30 PM on February 10 [26 favorites]

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posted by moonbird at 7:31 PM on February 10

Catch you later, Roy.
posted by George_Spiggott at 7:33 PM on February 10

Fuck. One of my favorite actors. All That Jazz is one of my most watched.

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posted by dobbs at 7:33 PM on February 10

"Someday, the children of the new sun will meet the children of the old. I think they will be our friends."

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posted by katillathehun at 7:34 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

The tide is with you, Chief Brody. Keep kickin'

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posted by jonp72 at 7:36 PM on February 10

I will always remember him from the Golden Age of Shows about Guys in Helicopters.
posted by popechunk at 7:38 PM on February 10

......|\.........\______/.....
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:38 PM on February 10 [2 favorites]

..../|....
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:38 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

Damn you, Pope Guilty.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:39 PM on February 10

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posted by pmurray63 at 7:39 PM on February 10

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posted by jpdoane at 7:40 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:41 PM on February 10

Damn, I was planning to get around to watching All That Jazz. Great actor, loved him in Jaws.

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posted by flatluigi at 7:41 PM on February 10

He never jumped the shark. RIP Roy.
posted by caddis at 7:44 PM on February 10 [3 favorites]

darwin. love. bridger.

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posted by cowbellemoo at 7:44 PM on February 10

Good man.
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:44 PM on February 10

Wow, I was just thinking about him for some strange reason earlier this evening. He was a great everyman thrust into extraordinary circumstances kind of actor. He seemed to have the right balance between letting the action flow around him and asserting his presence. Say hello to Dave Bowman on your way out of the solar system, Roy. RIP.
posted by Burhanistan at 7:44 PM on February 10 [2 favorites]

A fine man and a great, underrated actor.
posted by rdone at 7:45 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

Klute is a great film (and one of his earlier movies). No one remembers that he's in it (perhaps overshadowed by Jane Fonda's haircut?) but he does some nice work. Definitely worth renting/putting in queue.
posted by tractorfeed at 7:45 PM on February 10

no.

Please?
posted by Brainy at 7:46 PM on February 10

Loved his roles. A true natural. .
posted by Ironmouth at 7:46 PM on February 10

That's some bad hat, Harry.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 7:47 PM on February 10 [2 favorites]

Quick, everybody! Post your periods or he won't go to heaven!

1 has been a member since January 30, 2008.

I remember back in the day, a young whippersnapper wouldn't dare let out the snark until they'd paid their dues. Now they just do it like its nuthin'!.

Seriously 1, methinks you gotta wait more than 11 days to make fun of some of the things we do.
posted by Ironmouth at 7:49 PM on February 10 [8 favorites]

Aw man, while not unexpected, this makes me really sad.
posted by aclevername at 7:49 PM on February 10

Whenever I play Smash TV I think of Roy Scheider.
posted by Nelson at 7:51 PM on February 10

That damn shark got him in the end then.
posted by Artw at 7:51 PM on February 10

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During the mid 90's i always thought that he would make a come-back seeing how a lot of 70's actors got their career back at the time. The Scheider revival never came and it's a shame.
posted by SageLeVoid at 7:52 PM on February 10

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posted by jtron at 7:54 PM on February 10

Showtime!
posted by 3.2.3 at 7:54 PM on February 10

Someday I hope to grab a coveted MeFi Front Page Death Post.

You have to be quick. Very quick.
posted by travis vocino at 7:54 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by brandz at 7:56 PM on February 10

I always liked him; seems like he was a solid dude.

Blue Thunder is a really underrated movie.
posted by erskelyne at 7:57 PM on February 10

Sagelevoid, he did have a bit of a revival...remember SeaQuest?
posted by edmcbride at 7:57 PM on February 10

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(I'm amazed he was 75! Also: one of the best things about my dad is that he looks like Roy Scheider. I'm going to rent Naked Lunch tonight. RIP, Dr. Benway.)
posted by Auden at 8:00 PM on February 10

I trust it was no boating accident.
posted by sourwookie at 8:01 PM on February 10

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posted by ZachsMind at 8:03 PM on February 10

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posted by Lynsey at 8:04 PM on February 10

Oh, I watched Marathon Man just the other night. Shocking how ripped he was in that one.
posted by sourwookie at 8:04 PM on February 10

Astro Zombie: I just assumed that that was a before and after shot.
posted by JDHarper at 8:06 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

Sorcerer.
posted by steef at 8:06 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:09 PM on February 10

When I was little, I always looked for him at the beach. Had no idea that Fla was no where near his beach, I just knew that he was going to keep the sharks away.

RIP

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posted by pearlybob at 8:14 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

We're gonna need a bigger heaven.
posted by etaoin at 8:15 PM on February 10 [3 favorites]

I first read that as "Rob Schneider". It's hard to describe the subsequent emotional porridge.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:17 PM on February 10 [8 favorites]

aww, damn and Multiple myeloma is a rotten way to go too. It's a kind of blood cancer. The Times article said, died of complications from a staph infection

I wonder if it was MRSA or whether his immune system was so lowered from the chemo he couldn't bounce back from a regular staph infection.

I liked his face, something really appealing about him.

Looking at his Wikipedia page, somebody has pranked it. Before the cancer could consume him, however, he was attacked by a Great White Shark and killed while swimming off the coast of New England....

Loved his distinctive voice, narrating Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (the life of Yukio Mishima ). Remember him first as Det. Buddy Russo in The French Connection. Jaws, of course and ooh he was good in Marathon Man, The Men's Club. He played Burrough's character, Doctor Benway, in Naked Lunch (1991). From his IMDB page, it looks like he worked all the way until last year. A good run for a good actor.
posted by nickyskye at 8:17 PM on February 10

He made a Blue Thunder much better than it really was.
posted by awfurby at 8:24 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

Wasn't expecting this tonight. And Jaws was just on TV the other day.
posted by evilcolonel at 8:26 PM on February 10

Ironmouth, my money is on a sockpuppet. Where's Crunchland when you need him? Though to be honest, I find 1's metafilter skewering pretty amusing, based on his/her limited posting history...

And RIP Roy Scheider. I liked him.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:30 PM on February 10

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A great actor, and one of those stars who seems like a truly nice human as well. He'll be missed.
posted by gemmy at 8:30 PM on February 10

I am going to miss his voice. One day I realized that I wished all books on tape were done by him.
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posted by Busithoth at 8:37 PM on February 10

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posted by redbeard at 8:37 PM on February 10

He made a Blue Thunder much better than it really was.

Heh. It kicks the ass off of Air Wolf.
posted by Artw at 8:39 PM on February 10

When I wake up feeling really lousy, I like to stand in front of the bathroom mirror, pop a couple of pretend pills, flutter my jazz hands and blurt "Showtime!" Things tend to get better after that.

RIP Roy.
posted by maryh at 8:50 PM on February 10 [1 favorite]

Damn.

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posted by FormlessOne at 8:51 PM on February 10

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posted by crossoverman at 8:56 PM on February 10

seven ups was the tits.
posted by stavx at 8:57 PM on February 10

"We're gonna need a bigger boat!" has to be one of the best improvised lines in cinema. Appreciation, Mr Scheider.
posted by longsleeves at 8:59 PM on February 10

All That Jazz: I've only seen the last 10 minutes, but it is the best death scene ever.
Blue Thunder: He made a movie about a helicopter frickin' awesome.
He was also excellent in one of the best Criminal Intent episodes in recent years.

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posted by puritycontrol at 9:08 PM on February 10

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This is such sad news. All That Jazz is an absolutely amazing, beautiful movie.

Bye Bye Life
posted by Jasper Friendly Bear at 9:10 PM on February 10

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posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 9:14 PM on February 10

Aw.
posted by notmydesk at 9:14 PM on February 10

holy crap. i had no idea that he was 75 yrs old, and sick. he was a great actor. rip.
posted by davidmsc at 9:18 PM on February 10

Seriously - if you haven't, watch All That Jazz. Fantastic movie.

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posted by fingers_of_fire at 9:25 PM on February 10

Haven't seen All That Jazz unfortunately, but like everyone else I can't help thinking of all those lines he used in Jaws. (I love the final scene, where he and Dreyfus are paddling back to shore, hanging onto that bit of wreckage... can't help imagining him doing that on his way to heaven.

Rest in Peace Mr. Scheider.

For those of you who haven't watched some of his later stuff, check out The Myth Of Fingerprints. He has a short role in the movie, but it's the one that'll stay with you the most.
posted by hadjiboy at 9:28 PM on February 10

Growing up in the 70s and 80s there were a lot of actors that kicked the bucket back then that I only knew tangentially. Scheider is one of the first stars of this era [the late 70s early 80s] to die of "old age" AFAICT.
posted by panamax at 9:29 PM on February 10

Because of "Jaws," Roy was a fundamental part of my childhood. "Sorcerer" was excellent, too. RIP.
posted by DeWalt_Russ at 9:31 PM on February 10

I remember back in the day, a young whippersnapper wouldn't dare let out the snark until they'd paid their dues.

You'll get your chance to rip him a new one when he makes his first post.

On topic: thanks to your great acting and wonderful voice, Roy, the world shall never forget the word double-dork.

You'll be missed.
posted by bwg at 9:31 PM on February 10

Well, that sucks. Roy Scheider was awesome. I don't really have anything significant to say here, but he was someone I always liked in any movie I saw him in, including some bad ones.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 9:47 PM on February 10

I was just wondering what he was up to.

Apparently, nothing.

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posted by bshort at 9:49 PM on February 10

Growing up mostly in the 90's, I only really knew Scheider from "Sea Quest", or "Star Trek but under water" as I explained to my parents. I can't imagine anyone else being a crusty old sub commander.

He also had a love/hate relationship with the dolphin, as I recall.

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posted by Avenger at 9:52 PM on February 10

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posted by Snyder at 10:17 PM on February 10

Damn. I rather liked his acting.

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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 10:38 PM on February 10

I might be the only person in the world who liked 2010... but everyone like Roy in the movie.
posted by 80onelove at 11:24 PM on February 10

Jaws was a huge part of my childhood. I still watch it when it comes around on television sometimes, and next time, it will be a little more sad.

But I'm tired and I want to go to bed. I had a little drink about an hour ago.
posted by vrakatar at 11:31 PM on February 10

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posted by juv3nal at 11:38 PM on February 10

The article says that he had become politically active. Does anyone know anything more about that?
posted by spasm at 12:03 AM on February 11

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posted by rtha at 12:52 AM on February 11

Damn, didn't know he was ill. I still watch Jaws a few times per year and can even sit through Jaws 2 only because he's in it. RIP.
posted by gfrobe at 1:03 AM on February 11

Looking at his Wikipedia page, somebody has pranked it.

Yes. This always happens as news like this breaks. Usually it's reverted within minutes. It is almost never still there on the article by the time someone reads your comment.

There have been 130+ edits to the article since the news broke, many of them valid contributions by IP addresses, so the system has a net benefit.

The article says that he had become politically active.

Iraq war protest rallies, but I don't see much else.
posted by dhartung at 1:23 AM on February 11

Fantastic actor. A damn shame.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:43 AM on February 11

Jaws FTW.
posted by oh pollo! at 1:51 AM on February 11

I bet the funeral goes forward despite the risks to the people attending.
posted by srboisvert at 2:23 AM on February 11

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posted by mattr at 2:51 AM on February 11

Even crap movies like 52 Pickup and The Men's Club were watchable just to see what he'd do next.
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posted by hal9k at 3:41 AM on February 11

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posted by Smart Dalek at 3:54 AM on February 11

"We're gonna need a bigger boat, right?"
So long old Roy, sad to see you go....
posted by DZ-015 at 4:17 AM on February 11

One step closer to "old" now that my movie heroes are starting to die off. When my movie peers (Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Matthew Broderick etc) start to go, then I'll know I'm there.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:44 AM on February 11

Even crap movies like 52 Pickup ...

I liked that one, mostly because Roy was in it.
posted by bwg at 4:58 AM on February 11

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posted by winks007 at 5:10 AM on February 11

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posted by effwerd at 5:12 AM on February 11

.........|\....... \o/ ............\________/.......
posted by monkeyJuice at 5:41 AM on February 11 [4 favorites]

Wikipedia says he died "from a shark bite he sustained while filming Jaws."

Take that, conventional media!
posted by futility closet at 5:49 AM on February 11

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posted by Ber at 6:26 AM on February 11

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posted by ceri richard at 6:31 AM on February 11

He was the coolest of the cool.

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posted by hojoki at 6:38 AM on February 11

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posted by razorian at 6:45 AM on February 11

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posted by curlyelk at 7:14 AM on February 11

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posted by jdfalk at 7:36 AM on February 11

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posted by Blue Thunder at 8:03 AM on February 11

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posted by The Light Fantastic at 8:05 AM on February 11

Chief Brody and Quint together again. "Farewell and adieu, my fair spanish ladies..."
posted by rudy26 at 8:14 AM on February 11

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posted by shmegegge at 8:16 AM on February 11

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posted by cass at 8:20 AM on February 11

80onelove: "I might be the only person in the world who liked 2010... but everyone like Roy in the movie."

I liked it too. Helen Mirren as a Russian is a good, good thing.
posted by aerotive at 8:31 AM on February 11

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posted by crocomancer at 8:32 AM on February 11

I first read that as "Rob Schneider".

I did too. Not that I'd celebrate his death, but Scheider's is more affecting to me.

PS: I kinda like 2010. You just have to forget about 2001.

PPS: Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I wanna go to bed. I had a little drink about an hour ago and it went right to my head...
posted by sparkletone at 8:42 AM on February 11

Fuck. I have a relative suffering from the similar conditions, and now I have to confront the reality that what he has is, in fact, definitively fatal.

Fuck.

Scheider was great. People loved him for Jaws, and he was very, very good in it. But for me, the film that cemented him in my memory was Blue Thunder.

Frank Murphy: Catch ya later!

Indeed.
posted by quin at 8:55 AM on February 11

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posted by wrapper at 8:58 AM on February 11

We've lost so many wonderful people recently.

"My God, it's full of stars..."
posted by misha at 9:34 AM on February 11

Of the three great Car Chase films, He was in two of them.

And he is one of the reasons to own 2010, bad transfer and all.

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posted by djrock3k at 10:05 AM on February 11

I grew up on the Vineyard and swam at State Beach, where they filmed a number of the scenes for Jaws. RIP, Mr. Scheider. I was scared to go in the water for a couple of years because of you...
posted by Pantengliopoli at 11:01 AM on February 11

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posted by -t at 11:33 AM on February 11

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posted by about_time at 11:45 AM on February 11

I hope you are smiling you son of a bitch.

/pours 40 ounce
posted by Senator at 11:46 AM on February 11

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I'll have to rewatch him in 'Romeo is Bleeding' this weekend.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:12 PM on February 11

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posted by gcbv at 12:14 PM on February 11

75! So he was in his mid forties during his best years. Hope for us all yet. Bye and thanks Roy
posted by A189Nut at 1:09 PM on February 11

Aw, hell.

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posted by brundlefly at 2:10 PM on February 11

Sorcerer!

The Seven-Ups Car Chase
posted by vronsky at 3:18 PM on February 11 [1 favorite]

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posted by jlbartosa at 3:25 PM on February 11

And my dad loved the one-handed push-ups in Marathon Man.
posted by jlbartosa at 3:28 PM on February 11

Wow, I didn't know they did a 'Wages of Fear' remake. I'll have to see it. Roy Scheider marathon this weekend, Sorcerer, seven-ups, and Romeo is Bleeding.
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:47 PM on February 11

Unfortunately, Sorcerer isn't available in widescreen.
posted by dobbs at 6:22 PM on February 11

One of the most touching clips from Jaws is featured in J.J. Abrams' TED talk on "The mystery box" and is used it to show how sequels usually copy the wrong thing in a successful movie.
posted by boost ventilator at 11:54 AM on February 12

If you can't listen to J.J. Abrams for very long, that bit is 11 minutes in.
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:24 PM on February 13

...how sequels usually copy the wrong thing in a successful movie.

Heh. Anyone else feel an awful Blair Witch II like sequel to Cloverfield is pretty much a given at this point?
posted by Artw at 5:04 PM on February 13