Today I bring you my personal thoughts on two amazing Americans—one who was raised in, and gained fame in Britain before returning, the other remained a citizen of Mexico his entire life but gained fame here in the States.
I’m saddened by the loss of these great actors.
Patrick McGoohan. What can I say? You were my favorite actor of all time. I’ve studied scenes from The Prisoner over-and-over to try to get that “caged tiger” look for my own acting adventures. I wish I could pull it off as well as you. Anyone who can “intimidate” Orson Wells with his mad skills deserves respect. You were a great man in both England and America. Your brilliant writing for The Prisoner helped a generation value freedom and eschew authoritarianism. You perfectly captured the Orwellian “boot stomping on a human face for all eternity” in that great British psychological adventure. Perhaps it is best you’ve gone, sad as it is to say. There is a remake of your great series in the works, and there is no way Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellan can fill the giant shoes you and Richard Kern left. It would be a shame for them to disappoint you as they modernize your greatest work.
Your other great role, King Edward Longshanks in Braveheart, is often cited as one of the best villains ever. Other men could have played Edward Longshanks. Only you could be Edward Longshanks. It was your ability to become your characters so convincingly, so fully, that made you so great. You acted with an intensity others attempt to imitate; Anthony Hopkins is most definitely your equal, but I would be hard-pressed to name other actors who could match your talent.
You were intensely private, and I understand why. A lot of people didn’t like the end of The Prisoner, but I got the message loud and clear. I wish I could have known more about you, I’d loved to have met you, but our paths never crossed. I understand you were a good man, so perhaps in the Life to Come, our paths shall cross and we can discuss whatever it is people in Paradise discuss.
Number 6 finally found his freedom.
In any case, God be with Mr. McGoohan’s family.
As for Ricardo Montalban, I’ve also admired you. You’re a great actor all your own, for entirely different reasons. You were Khan both in the Original Star Trek, and Star Trek II—the greatest Trek movie of all time. I long ago gave up Trekkieness, but that episode and that movie are still near and dear to this Reformed Nerd’s heart.
Funnily enough, the other role I remember you most from is a parody of every other role you did: the voice of Arnando Gutierrez on the cartoon Freakazoid, one of my favorite childhood series. You’ve done a ton over the years, but Gutierrez made me laugh. Yes, yes, we can’t forget Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island, but that was way before my time and I never could get into the repeats. Mea culpa.
You have the reputation of a man utterly devoted to your wife of 63 years. While that is an anachronistic value and isn’t terribly chic in our day and age, it has always been a rare thing in your industry, and one which I cannot but respect.
Thank you for the amazing quotes (and great pickup lines: some geek girls like being told they’ll be chased ‘round the Antares Maelstrom, though you meant it a tad differently when you said it to Kirk), and all the laughs.
God rest your soul, good sir.
And here are some videos for your enjoyment. I’m shocked at the lack of Longshanks clips out there, so c’est la vie.
The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan:
Space Seed:
Star Trek II Trailer:
WHAT TO DO NOW?