I had gotten the signed photo of Kevin McCarthy (seen at right) back in the late 1990’s when my friend Bob picked it up for me at one of the Hollywood Collector Shows. Then I lamented about missing a chance to get a photo with him after he had appeared another Collector Show in 2005. Somehow I was afforded one final opportunity to get my picture taken with this 96-year-old legendary actor who had starred in Invasion of the Body Snatchers and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Death of a Salesman in 1951.
As a huge Twilight Zone fan, I was most familiar with his starring role in the episode Long Live Walter Jameson. He was also one of the few actors from the original series who went on to star in Twilight Zone: The Movie in 1983.
In all honesty, he barely seemed aware of what was going on when I got my chance to get a photo with him at the Hollywood Show on Saturday, April 24, 2010. His handler allowed me to get a photo with him for free, and I found it absolutely amazing that he was even there at all. Less than five months later, he passed away. It was a good life.
I am eternally grateful that I was given this one last chance to get a picture with Kevin McCarthy – and that for once, I was smart enough to take it. It was a good thing I done. A real good thing. And tomorrow….tomorrow’s gonna be a… real good day
Celebrities of the Spring 2010 Hollywood Show will continue…
Hello, Brad,
I, too, was terribly concerned about Kevin McCarthy at that last show. The poor fellow! But I’m glad you got such a nice photo with him. Cheers!
Richard Buller
March 17th, 2011
I went to see him about 1975 starring in a college production of Our Town. Kevin played the Stage Manager brilliantly, at the top of his game. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is one of the greatest sci-fi classics of the ’50’s, grounded in his performance.
Rick Greene
March 21st, 2011