Paul Thomas Anderson said he loved to take character actors and turn them into leading actors, and Philip Baker Hall was a great example. Dead at 90, a good run.
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by $8 blue check mistermix| 19 Comments
This post is in: Absent Friends, Open Threads, RIP
Paul Thomas Anderson said he loved to take character actors and turn them into leading actors, and Philip Baker Hall was a great example. Dead at 90, a good run.
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HeleninEire
So weird. I saw his face and said “I know him.” But for the life of me I didn’t know his name. I guess that’s what makes a good character actor. RIP.
TriassicSands
A fine actor. RIP.
James E Powell
I don’t care for BS. I don’t care to hear it. I don’t care to speak it.
Don’t know why, but that scene always stood out for me
But The Library Cop is the clip the whole world is watching today. Seinfeld is struggling to keep a straight face.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
His appearance as the library cop– Bookman, of course– justified the existence of Seinfeld.
Kevin
@James E Powell:
just rewatched. What a great character. Even years later I laughed out loud.
patrick II
When Thomas interviewed Baker for this part in Magnolia he explained that there was one scene that was unreal seeming enough that he wanted to warn Baker. A rain of frogs. Baker told Thomas not to worry- that he had actually experienced this rare event while in Europe at the end of WWII. Magnolias is a movie about unseen and not understable patterns . It ironic that the them e of his movie would be demonstrated when Thomas hired the movie’s star.
Eric K
He’s great in so many things.
Secret Honor where he plays Nixon is an under the radar gem.
Phylllis
@Eric K: I was just coming to mention that. Ebert gave it a rave review. Available for rent on Amazon Prime.
oatler
@James E Powell:
I thought we were going to get a Lucille Bluth quote!
“I don’t understand the question and won’t respond to it,”
Leto
@James E Powell: his library cop made me laugh so hard. He was excellent in his many, many other roles. And voice… Jesus, I’d kill for that. Him and James Earl Jones. Goodness.
Old Dan and Little Ann
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Listen here, Joyboy.
Jerszy
I still go straight to “Midnight Run” and PTA’s unofficial reprise of his character in “Sidney/Hard Eight”.
In his honor tonight, I will eat a sandwich, drink a glass of milk, and do some fucking thing.
To a wonderful life well-lived!
eclare
@James E Powell: That voice…that scene. Brilliant.
NotMax
‘@Old Dan and Little Ann
Rod Steiger’s most outrageous role.
;)
Tom Q
@Eric K: Secret Honor a mesmerizing movie, and he carries it flawlessly. First time I remember seeing him, and a fan ever after.
UncleEbeneezer
My favorite Baker Hall performance was Boogie Nights as the smut-producer/financier: “I like simple pleasures, like butter in my ass and lollipops in my mouth. That’s just me.”
gene108
OT: Jennifer Hudson is the latest member of the EGOT club
Mike in NC
RIP to the library cop.
HinTN
@gene108: Fabulous play. Saw it three weeks ago. Difficult? YES! Amazing? Yes yes yes!