Henry Gibson: 1935-2009

Rest in peace, Mr. Gibson.

Henry Gibson, an American actor and songwriter who appeared on television and in films for more than 40 years, has passed away after a short struggle with cancer. He was 73.

Gibson received his first big film break in 1963's The Nutty Professor, but his first major role came courtesy of his three-year stint as part of the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, where he developed the popular recurring character of a Nehru-garbed poet. After Laugh-In, Gibson appeared in a long list of films, becoming a favorite of director Robert Altman, who used him in four films: The Long Goodbye, A Perfect Couple, Health, and Nashville (Gibson earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the latter).




Though he never became a household name, Gibson's face was one of the more recognizable in Hollywood, partly due to his sheer ubiquity, and partly due to his distinctive style. Some of his better-known film roles include the head of the Illinois Nazis in The Blues Brothers, the villainous Werner in The 'Burbs, and the perpetually befuddled Father O'Neil in The Wedding Crashers -- but he also worked on Broadway, appearing with Walter Matthau and Ruth Gordon in Lillian Hellman's My Mother, My Father and Me, did voice work (including the part of Wilbur the pig in 1973's Charlotte's Web), and was a regular fixture on television, securing a five-season run on Boston Legal and a recurring character on King of the Hill. (Visit his filmography for a more complete list of credits.)

Gibson, who passed away at home in Malibu, is survived by three children and two grandchildren.

Click here for Gibson's complete filmography.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Comments

Almost.Famous

adam ramberg

Poor Mr. Gibsons death will be overshadowed by that of Patrick Swayze. RIP Mr. Gibson.

Sep 16 - 02:55 PM

inactive user

Jared King

Damn, this year is full of deaths. It hurts.

Sep 16 - 03:03 PM

JohnnyJonJon

Jonathan Groen

Rest in Peace Father O'Neil. You're a real enlightened cat and I dig that.

Sep 16 - 03:31 PM

highdough

Richard Blascock

He was great in a lot of roles. I did, for a second, think that the title said MEL Gibson, which was a bit of a shock.

Sep 16 - 04:00 PM

Blues Ridden Cowgirl

Alicia Kistner

Man. This is just depressing. I can not believe all of the deaths either.

Sep 16 - 04:25 PM

Blues Ridden Cowgirl

Alicia Kistner

Man. This is just depressing. I can not believe all of the deaths either.

Sep 16 - 04:29 PM

ron c.

ron carlson

I will always remember his poems from Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, I loved that he would tag every poem title by saying..."by Henry Gibson". He was a funny man all the way up to his role on "Boston Legal". He will be missed.

Sep 16 - 04:36 PM

assbeat

Thomas Pelle

he was really good in magnolia

Sep 16 - 06:29 PM

rle4lunch

Chad W

Blues Brothers. Great role he played in that.

Sep 16 - 06:55 PM

rebranded001

rebranded001 *

All these crap roles being listed and nobody remembers the end of Independence Day?

"Hello boys! I'm back!"

*flies airplane into alien gun*

If you didn't get goosebumps at that part you're an un-American homo.

Peace out, Cousin Eddie.

Sep 16 - 08:08 PM

CineManiac

Laurie Nordahl

You're thinking of Randy Quaid, rebranded001, who happens to be very much alive. Not sure if I should apologize for that or not...

Sep 16 - 08:58 PM

Oscar G.

Oscar Gomez-Montes

Your comment implies that if I remember that part of the film I'm an "American Homo".How you dare?.Are you an american homo since you remember and got goosepimples at that part of the film?.Ha,ha,ha...

Sep 16 - 10:19 PM

Kiwi M.

Kiwi Messerschmidt

Henry Gibson (Jim Bateman) and I attended Catholic University at the same time and he was as outrageously funny then and as he was through out talented his comedy career. I can still remember him on the CU Campus stage in tights doing Shakespere. He had us in stitches.
I loved this guy and followed his career with proud admiration for him. He was a class act and will be missed.

Sep 16 - 09:20 PM

Don't Tase Me Bro

Don't Tase Me Bro

Loved in Blues Brothers and The 'Burbs...RIP.

Sep 17 - 06:19 AM

spitting into the wind

ciaran kelly

RIP to the crazy judge. POPPYCOCK.

Sep 17 - 07:55 AM

millionairecupid.org

Linda green

Sep 17 - 08:50 AM

Gordon Franklin Terry Sr

Gordon Terry

Thanks for the rememberances Kiwi. GIBSON: THE BLUES BROTHERS; THE HALLOWEEN THAT ALMOST WASN'T; FANTASY ISLAND; WONDER WOMAN!!!!

----until Heaven

Sep 17 - 10:38 AM

Plumas Fleiban

Lucás Leiva

f**ck this year is full of peinful deaths!!! RIP Mr. Gibson.

Sep 17 - 04:28 PM

jim gordon

jim gordon

i've been a rowan & martin laugh-in fan since the sho first aired in the 60's
and among all the actors & actresses who appeared on laugh-in-arte johnson & henry gibson were the most hilarous

Sep 18 - 11:26 AM

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