In 2010, we lost a lot of good people, not simply "good" in the personal moral sense, but "good" human beings who actually inspired kindness, courtesy, diplomacy, compassion, thoughtfulness, humanity, goodwill and positive activism in others - exactly the kind of individuals one would like to emulate, at least somewhat, in one's own personal life. Sometimes, one wonders just what the selection criteria are for being "voted off" Earth or "voted into" the Next Phase, whatever that phase may be. Frankly, I would like to see more of the "good" ones retained here for a while longer. We certainly NEED every one that we can keep.
British actor Pete Postlethwaite is among the first of these good human beings to depart this sphere in 2011. He will not be the last. Unfortunately. His is a name that will likely not mean much to most Americans in the US, even though he nearly won an Oscar for his outstanding acting performance in "In the Name of the Father" in 1993. In fact, I may never have noticed him myself, but for his excellent performance in the Sharpe TV series, of which I am a great fan. There Postlethwaite played the unforgettably odious Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswell so well that one almost rose to one's feet and cheered when Hakeswell - at long last - met his well-deserved end, after wreaking havoc, misfortune, murder and despair everywhere he could, in every possible way. Hakeswell's character was likely the antithesis of everything that Postlethwaite's was. It is reported that Bernard Cornwell, author and creator of the Sharpe novels, specifically wrote Hakeswell's character in later novels to reflect Postlethwaite's characterization of him in the TV series.
Postlethwaite passed away yesterday, 2 Jan, at the age of 64, after a long battle with cancer. That makes me reflect more than a bit on my own mortality. I had not realized that he was actually younger than I. As with so many I have admired over the years, he began his professional career in teaching. Today's Guardian on-line printed an obituary for Postlethwaite, a tribute from one who was inspired by his performances, and an article celebrating some of his most notable roles in film clips. Please take a moment to stop by to appreciate the work of one whom we will see no more in person.
RIP, Mr. Postlethwaite and thank you! You have positively touched more lives than you know. That in itself is a real tribute.
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