#thelifeandsadending #brunokirby #billycrystal A mini bio about the the actor Bruno Kirby. He most famously appeared in "The Godfather Part II" and "When Harry met Sally".
He was great in GMV, but he was not very likeable. My favorite Kirby role is from When Harry Met Sally. So good in that. It's a bit concerning that he passed at 57, considering i'm 58. Yikes
even when he played the p dough file catholic high school basketball teacher who tried to grope leonardo dicaprios character in the showers, thinking he'd keep it quiet to prevent being narced on and kicked out of school?
I seen Bruce in movies and tv, but I never knew his name. I don't recall the news of his sons death. Besides The Godfather, I'll remember him most from that seen in City Slickers, " Shut up, shut up, shut up" 😅.
I wrote a play called "Something True", a 1 act, in LA that Bruno and Bruce Kirby acted in at a small theatre called, at the time, The Elephant on Santa Monica Blvd. They played Father and Son, and they were both great, funny and touching at the same time. We spent a good bit of time together, at his place, in the theatre, eating out, talking about the play and the characters. Bruno and Bruce were a joy to be around...funny, sweet, not an ounce of arrogance in either one of them. RIP. We all miss you. Gone but never ever forgotten. Brian Burke
For a supposed "character" actor, Bruno stood out in every scene he was in. His unique look and voice made him instantly recognizable no matter what part he was playing. My favorite role was as Victor Ray in The Freshman where Bruno had no problem holding his own against the likes of the great Marlon Brando. He was an impressively talented man taken from the world much too soon.
hell that's a proper character actor i'd say. one who you notice playing their bit parts, who gives it their all and is a true actor. a poor character actor would be one that is easily overlooked!
I got to work with Bruno in 2002 at the Sundance Filmmakers Lab. He was a cool, genuinely nice guy. I was shocked and saddened by his sudden death. RIP Bruno.
Yes I do remember him and I am very sorry to say that I didn't know that he had passed 😢.. I had seen him in so many movies and shows but life gets busy and we just forget who's who until you see 👀 something like this and all your memories come rushing back.. Yes, Yes I do remember Bruno..
No matter what folks,live your life fully everyday until you are happily tired from giving it all you could.Mr.Kirby did and he has left us a great body of work for his efforts despite leaving this world at a relatively young age if 57. He made his mark,RIP.
I just watched him in Sleepers. It makes perfect sense to cast him in that movie since it is set in Hell's Kitchen, where Kirby is from. He plays Shake's father and when his son is sent to reform school, he says "my son shouldn't have to do time because I did enough time for everybody." That line has always stayed with me ever since the first time I watched Sleepers. Kirby usually played small characters in films and didn't get much screen time but he had an extraordinary ability to make those small roles unforgettable. I miss seeing him in films and I'm sure others feel the same. Rest in peace Bruno Kirby.
In 1968 I was driving a taxi in the summer. Bruno hailed by cab when I was driving in the Village. When he stepped into cab I recognized him immediately. When he sat I yelled out “good morning Vietnam” he smiled and chuckled. I spoke with him during the fare. Nice guy, down to earth. Just an ordinary guy. No airs about him.
Bruno had the gift of projecting warm rapport with his leading men. We were always to see him whenever he appeared on the screen. Thanks for sharing Bruno Kirby’s story with us!
So sad, he was great in When Harry Met Sally & City Slickers, awesome movies from the late 80's early 90's. The Columbo episode, By Dawns Early Light, he was joined by his father in the cast as his dad was in several Columbo episodes. Another great video- thanks!
I remember Bruno just about all your references rang a bell . Leukemia is a terrible thing as is any Cancer. Very interesting episode Steve. Thank you sir
I do remember him. I loved the way he talked. I admit, I didn't know his name. I didn't know I didn't know who his father is, but recognize him. Another young passing and such a short time after being he had leukemia. Great actor. Thanks for sharing.
Bruno was such a great and unique talent. His face, energy, and smile could light up the room. An absolute scene stealer. Lt Steve from Good Morning Vietnam is always the first role I think of when I think of Bruno.
He was interviewed on "Fresh Air," and host Terry Gross confessed that she didn't recognize him as the young Clemenza in GF2. Rather than being affronted, he thanked her, and said: "It's about the performance, not me, and you remembered the performance." (That's how I remember it.)
A movie very few remember, he played in a teen comedy in 1978 called Almost Summer. At 29, he was a little ripe to be playing a high school student but it sort of worked. It was probably the first of that kind of movie that became a staple in the 80s. Being a kid with high school still ahead of me at the time I always remembered him in it. For some reason I will always think of him as a kid because of that.
Bruno never turned in a bad performance. Loved him in everything I ever saw of his work. Even when you didn't "see" him - his role as Marco (a call in listener) on Frasier proved how recognizable he was, just by his voice. Sorely missed😢. R.I.P.
I remember he told a story of when he met Elvis in a movie theater how he called his mother and told her to come and see him because she was a big fan Elvis waited until she got there and gave her a ring. Bruce was a great talented actor if I can remember right wasn't he in the Tin Men with Danny Devito. Singing La bamba at the jukebox. Thanks so much for sharing a great respectful video.
City Slickers, my Grandpa loved that movie. Which was saying something because he probably watched maybe 5 movies his entire life. Also, his characters demise in Donnie Brasco and the following scene in the car are brutal to watch.
I didn't even know he passed away, and so long ago. I met Bruno in an elevator in Minneapolis sometime in the late 80's. I got his autograph on a $5. bill, long since lost.
The best part of City slickers in my book was when he was asked" what was the best day of your life? And what was the worst day?he answered and then he said"same day that was the worst day of my life" I'll never forget that line! thank you Bruno!
Basketball Diaries, Tin Men, Sleepers , Bruno was great in everything he appeared in, Its really hard to believe he has been gone close to 20 years now . he was a great talent
Being 54 myself and seeing more and more actors and celebrities dying at early ages it concerns me a great deal. I first remember seeing him in The Godfather Part 2 and later in City Slickers. I thought he came off as very genuine and very funny. Sad to see him go. Prayers go out to his wife and family.
I loved that man, I saw him in a Kirk Russell teen movie when I was young, and fell in love with him. I don't know what it was about him, but I had a major crush on him and ALWAYS enjoyed seeing him pop up on the screen.
I never knew his name but knew the face ! A can't miss is Bruno's story of how he first encountered Elvis. It's on a Tom Snyder clip here on YT and it's hands down just one of the best stories I ever heard.
That was a wonderful telling of Mr. Kirby's life. Heck yes, I remember this great actor. He was the every American guy. I remember his dad too. His dad always played the hard working hard ass. Together they were everywhere on the large and the small screen in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Rest in peace to both of them. And Thanks for all the wonderful hours of great acting they both showed us.
City Slickers is one of my all time favorites. I watched it hundreds of times as a kid. The character he played was very memorable. He offered wisdom and commentary that seemed beyond his years.
He was famous enough as a working actor at a high level with very notable performances in excellent big screen movies and popular TV series. Many working actors accomplish much less but still work. Not criticizing your response, just offering some clarity. 😊
I loved both these talented actors dearly. Loved the Sr in Columbo which I used to watch religiously while growing up. I loved the Jr in Harry Met Sally and especially in The City Slickers. I was heartbroken when they passed away. May you Rest In Peace!
Bruno courageously battled leukemia. Although he was taken too early, he bravely fought it. That, to me, is NOT SAD, it's amazing and beautiful. Let's celebrate his genius. He was amazing in City Slickers.
Bruno Kirby did such a great job of portraying a young Clemenza in the Godfather movie that he made the older Clemenza all the more believable, setting the table for the later years.
I remember him from When Harry Met Sally and I really enjoyed his character, he was a likable guy. I had no idea he passed, so sad, May he rest in peace
I always thought it was lame that HBO never brought Bruno in for at least one episode of The Sopranos. Pretty much all of the living minor characters from The Godfather 1 & 2 got cameos at some point, but he never did.
Thank you from Germany for the information...I know Bruno Kirby from Harry and Sally, and City Slickers 🐎a funny and good actor 👌 Your voice is very calm ..very nice💯 Keki👋
Thanks Steve, I liked Bruno Kirby the first time I saw him on Room 222 but I probably saw City Slickers and When Harry met Sally a dozen times. What a loss. 😢 Cant believe it was 18 years ago!
He should have won an Oscar for his role in Good Morning Vietnam. He was terrific in that movie and I will add...reminded me of a lot of young Naval Academy Ensigns I used to work with in the Navy. LOL. RIP Bruno
Yes of course I remember Bruno! Loved him and was so sad when he died 😢. He was so cute when he was young 😁. He kind of reminded me of the 'boy nextdoor' having grown up in New York. I knew his father was an actor as well but once I saw his face I realize I 'knew' him too! Thanks for the video of one of my favorite actors 😊
@robertfiorellino6070: I just noticed your comment, but said the same thing. The scene where he introduces Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando in the bar is just terrific. Made even funnier because of the involvement of 2/3 of that trio in another famous movie - uh, the title slips my mind just now, but I will think of it later. Ha, ha.
Bruno Kirby doing that scene in Good Morning Vietnam, where he’s trying so hard to be funny on air, and failing so miserably, but has no clue, is so hilarious and well done by him.
Met him at the movies in Florida. We chatted and he asked what movie I liked of his. I told him the Freshman. He told me that was one of his favorites too
I loved Bruno and miss his movies and tv appearances. IF anyone is interested - check out an old movie he made called "Almost Summer". It's free on RU-vid. I think he must have been in his late teens or early 20's when he made it. It was a cheesy high school movie but it takes me back to the 70's when I was just starting high school. His role in Good Morning Vietnam was amazing. I miss his style. The world was a better place with him in it. RIP Bruno.
He was also in a very short lived TV sitcom in the early 70’s with Richard Castellano who played Clemenza in the godfather, it was called “The Super” aired on ABC in 1972
A fan of Bruno Kirby. A lesser known, but great performance, was in the limited series, 90s noir nod, Fallen Angels, in the Tom Hanks produced episode, "I'll Be Waiting". Bruno plays a shrewd hotel detective. Great series.
A fast ending, so sad for such a great actor. I really loved his stuff but honestly, I only knew him by face......until now! Rest in Peace Bruno Kirby.
