Bruno Kirby, 57, dies of leukemia.
August 15, 2006 8:50 PM   Subscribe

 
I credit him with the funniest line in "City Slickers"

Daniel Stern: "You're angry because you can't get an erection."
Bruno Kirby: "I can get an erection any time I want! Watch!"

R.I.P., Bruno

.
posted by zardoz at 8:50 PM on August 15, 2006


.
posted by Sailor Martin at 8:54 PM on August 15, 2006


Terrible way to go, he was a funny fella.
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:54 PM on August 15, 2006


Alas.

57 is kind of an odd age to die from leukemia. Rather old for acute, rather young for chronic.
posted by neuron at 9:01 PM on August 15, 2006


Wow. That sucks. Loved him in Modern Romance and Tin Men.

.
posted by dobbs at 9:06 PM on August 15, 2006


He was great as Clemenza in the flashback scenes in "The Godfather: Part II." He was one of those actors you could always count on for a good performance.
posted by diddlegnome at 9:14 PM on August 15, 2006


He always reminded me of my Uncle Mike.

Of course, I don't talk to that side of the family anymore, so I'm but a bit conflicted on that subject, but still...

Godspeed, Bruno.
posted by StrangeTikiGod at 9:14 PM on August 15, 2006


"Yes, I Can if Frank Sinatra Says it's OK."

.
posted by NoMich at 9:16 PM on August 15, 2006


aww, Sad news. I loved Bruno Kirby in When Harry Met Sally. Enjoyed his other work too. Apparently he was diagnosed recently, so it's likely he had acute leukemia.

May he rest in peace.
posted by nickyskye at 9:19 PM on August 15, 2006


Oh, that makes me sad. Rest peacefully Bruno.

.
posted by djeo at 9:23 PM on August 15, 2006


*presses button to shut limo window for a little more privacy*

.
posted by phaedon at 9:33 PM on August 15, 2006


Baby Fish Mouth.
Loved that line.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 9:41 PM on August 15, 2006


Weird, he was just on Entourage a couple episodes back, which was probably filmed six months ago, and now he's gone?
posted by mathowie at 9:46 PM on August 15, 2006


I had no idea; I'll remember him best as young Clemenza, the man who pointed Vito down a fateful path.
posted by jonson at 9:48 PM on August 15, 2006


.
posted by Dr. Zira at 10:08 PM on August 15, 2006


brilliant actor .
posted by gorgor_balabala at 10:16 PM on August 15, 2006


His character of Ed in "City Slickers" really helped make that movie special -- compared to the whiny Daniel Stern character, and Crystal's neurotic character, Kirby's ball-busting, tough-talking persona created a perfect balance.

.
posted by davidmsc at 10:20 PM on August 15, 2006


Aww man! Baby Fish Mouth! One of my favorite lines of any movie ever. That's really sad. I don't remember him ever turning in a bad performance, at least in any of the movies I saw him in. Truly an underappreciated actor. Rest in peace, Bruno.
posted by Brak at 10:22 PM on August 15, 2006


"Sir, in my heart, I know I'm funny."

He was.
posted by bwg at 10:42 PM on August 15, 2006


In addition to all the bigger roles, he always sticks out in my mind for his appearance as himself in the last episode of The Larry Sanders Show, arguing with Hank over whether or not he was in The Godfather. He played 'disgruntled' better than anyone.

.
posted by scallion at 11:54 PM on August 15, 2006


"You made a woman meaow?'
posted by feelinglistless at 12:13 AM on August 16, 2006


I'll always remember him in the The Freshman.

"What? You know how big this is? Bacio di tutti baci... the kiss of all kisses."

And I hate City Slickers(Billy Crystal plus other dumb things), and hate his character, but you're not supposed to like him(one more additional hammer blow of subtlety in that movie), so I liked his work in that worthless turd of a movie.

Plus, the guy had a heck of a mustache...

Ciao, Bruno.
posted by dglynn at 2:32 AM on August 16, 2006


This is very, very sad. Check out the outtake footage on the "Spinal Tap" DVD, for the scene where the Tap boys get him high, and he belts out "My Way" in his underwear. Simply perfect, and the way I will remember him. Go with God, Bruno.
posted by dbiedny at 3:31 AM on August 16, 2006


One of my favourite actors.

.
posted by fire&wings at 4:59 AM on August 16, 2006


Dunno if anybody else felt this way, but he had the perfect voice for the comedy roles he acted; yet, yes, as Clemenza, in a serious role, he was really good too. Buona notte, signore.
posted by pax digita at 5:19 AM on August 16, 2006


Good-bye Frenchy.

Good-bye Lieutenant Steve.
posted by Chunky at 5:30 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by OmieWise at 5:30 AM on August 16, 2006


One of our best character actors (although, to me, he'll always be the young Clemenza). RIP, Mr. Quidaciolu.
posted by jonmc at 5:48 AM on August 16, 2006


Best Bruno Kirby Moment Ever?

On the original Criterion DVD of This Is Spinal Tap, there is a deleted scene that takes place shortly after the boys are chuaffeured by Bruno. Now, they (all except Michael McKean) are all back in the hotel, eating pizza and getting extremely high. After some protestations, Bruno the Chauffeur lets down his guard and partakes.

Cut to shortly thereafter ...

Bruno is standing in the middle of the hotel room, using a pizza crust for a microphone and singing Sinatra tunes. No, not singing. Belting. And he's down to his tighty-whiteys, by the way. Into the hotel room, walks an absolutely surprised Michael McKean, who proceeds to shatter into a laughing fit.

Improvisational Comic Brilliance, I say.

RIP, Bruno.
posted by grabbingsand at 6:17 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:23 AM on August 16, 2006


"I was in the fucking Godfather!"

:-(
posted by DieHipsterDie at 6:27 AM on August 16, 2006


Damn you, Chunky. You done made me miss the guy more.

He was always good in everything he did.

.
posted by grubi at 6:35 AM on August 16, 2006


The good ones are those you can't really remember but know their character, their actions.
posted by parmanparman at 6:43 AM on August 16, 2006


He's one of those actors that it's easy to take for granted. He's a great supporting actor that always brongs something extra to his roles. I'm in the camp that will remember most fondly n the Freshman - although I totally forgot about him in Tin Men.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 6:54 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by Stynxno at 7:12 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by ob at 7:30 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by pointilist at 7:42 AM on August 16, 2006


Great actor. His creepy turn as Swifty in The Basketball Diaries stands out to me. z'l
posted by kosem at 8:05 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by indiebass at 8:47 AM on August 16, 2006


I met Bruno at a film fest. He was such a nice guy. What you saw on screen was pretty much him. In the mens room he was trying to get some coffee stain off his sports jacket...it was kinda funny because I was doing the same thing. He said "ya know..." just as he did in his movies. I saw him later and we had a chuckle...both our jackets had spots.
posted by shockingbluamp at 9:05 AM on August 16, 2006


Too soon.
posted by pmurray63 at 9:46 AM on August 16, 2006


.

Bruno as Ed in City Slickers

Ed: I'm 14 and my mother and father are fighting again...y'know, because she caught him again. Caught him?...This time the girl drove by the house to pick him up. And I finally realized, he wasn't just cheating on my mother, he was cheating us. So I told him, I said, "You're bad to us. We don't love you. I'll take care of my mother and my sister. We don't need you any more." And he made like he was gonna hit me, but I didn't budge. And he turned around and he left. He never bothered us again. Well I took care of my mother and my sister from that day on. That's my best day.

Phil: W-What was you're worst day?

Ed: Same day.
posted by Jikido at 10:08 AM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by Outlawyr at 10:31 AM on August 16, 2006


Jikido, I never liked City Slickers but I always loved how Kirby read that scene. I'm sorry to hear about his passing.
posted by LeeJay at 10:35 AM on August 16, 2006


fuhgeddaboutit
posted by PenguinBukkake at 11:59 AM on August 16, 2006


.

Now Bruno can do readings of Sammy Davis Jr.'s Yes I Can! with the man himself.
posted by jonp72 at 12:12 PM on August 16, 2006


Loved him in Godfather 2

.
posted by UseyurBrain at 8:07 PM on August 16, 2006


.
posted by Smedleyman at 12:17 AM on August 17, 2006


« Older Brust, Steven Brust.   |   Let's sing about the Presidents! Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments