I really miss Rodney Dangerfield. That's saying alot, considering I was all of nine years old when he died.
A master of comedy and the star of my favorite movie Easy Money, Dangerfield's fame has dwindled in recent years.
I love any performer who can make it big despite their lack of "perfection". I've never related well to celebs like Tom Cruise, Gwen Paltrow, or Nicole Kidman. The flawless skin, perfect hair, and godly physiques make for outwardly appealing people with no relatiblity whatsoever. Rodney Dangerfield defied the mold.
Honestly, he was unattractive. A bulbous nose set between bulging eyes, leathery skin, and years of bad hair gave him a slightly off appearance. But he was real. He was funny, self-deprecating, and un-airbrushed. He was someone's uncle, someone's neighbor, someone's college friend. Dangerfield embodied the role of a celebrity and turned it on it's head, claiming he "got no respect" whilst making a name for himself in perfection-obsessed hollywood.
He told one-liners, made a shitty song, and acted in Caddyshack, (which makes him a legend).
He became famous in his 60's. He was the first entertainer to have his own website. He has his own display at the Smithsonian Museum. He even made an album of love songs titled ROMEO RODNEY.
While a Frank Sinatra he was not, Dangerfield was always funny and inspired scores of other comedians.
The entertainment world is lucky to have had such a spirited talent.
