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REMEMBERING
RODNEY
RODNEY DANGERFIELD IMMORTALIZED
ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING
HOLLYWOOD----October 5,
2005----The word RESPECT was emblazoned 2000 feet tall and three miles long across the Hollywood skyline to the delight of awestruck guests. Skywriting was only one of the unusual surprises in store for friends of late comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield as they gathered at his Hollywood Hills home to honor his first year of Immortality.
Joan Dangerfield, Rodney's widow, said the idea to host the event came to her in a dream and she was thrilled to manifest the vision. A throng of tinsel town’s funniest comics were thrilled too as they sipped rose martinis and mingled by the infinity pool lit with Rodney's image as they recalled their favorite memories of him.
Mrs. Dangerfield spoke lovingly about her husband and their relationship that spanned over 20 years. She also shared Rodney’s last words and his last joke, which was inspired by party guest and fellow comedian, Robert Wuhl.
In keeping with the evening’s spirit of Immortality, each guest was given a live Monarch butterfly for a special Native American butterfly release ceremony led by Farrah Fawcett. The ceremony ended with a collective wish for Rodney to receive in Immortality the one thing he felt he was never able to get in his life on earth, RESPECT.
As the butterflies fluttered away, the guests broke into applause when they were surprised to see the word RESPECT floating in the sky.
That was followed by the announcement of an unprecedented decision - Rodney Dangerfield will be the first celebrity in history to have a life-size bronze statue created in his image at prestigious Pierce Brothers Memorial Park, where other Hollywood legends Marilyn Monroe and Gregory Peck are also interred. The bronze monument will be sculpted by Miss Fawcett whose works were recently on exhibit at the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art.
UCLA’s Division of Neurosurgery is also paying homage to Mr. Dangerfield by naming a suite of operating rooms after him and through a very special inaugural award being presented in his honor, the "Rodney Respect Award." Joan Dangerfield will present the award to Jay Leno on October 20th on behalf of the David Geffen School of Medicine/Division of Neurosurgery at UCLA at their 2005 Visionary Ball.
Guests were emotional as Joan concluded, “Although Rodney has transcended this physical plane, what he stands for – kindness, humor, humility, and heroic struggle against all odds – remains, and is the essence of the human experience. Rodney will always represent what it feels like for all of us to crave a little respect. That’s a desire our life on earth will always evoke and Rodney Dangerfield will always be around, eternally, to epitomize that experience.”
A feature film is in the works about Rodney's life! Who do you think should play Rodney? Email your suggestions to rodney@rodney.com.
Thank you for paying your respects to my beloved husband.
Rodney continued to entertain the world and give love to his family despite the challenges of cardiovascular disease.
In celebration of his great life and with deep sadness for his irreplaceable loss I have established a Rodney Dangerfield Fund at UCLA to honor his memory.
The funds will be used to support clinical research and education in the field of cardiac surgery for advanced heart disease.
Love,
Joan Dangerfield
For those who care to do so, please make checks out to:
The UCLA Regents Rodney Dangerfield Fund
The Division of Cardiac Surgery
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
10833 Le Conte 62-182 CHS
Los Angeles, California 90095
RODNEY DANGERFIELD PAID THE ULTIMATE RESPECT
LOS ANGELES----One of the biggest and most elaborate private memorial tributes in recent history was held Sunday evening at Pierce Brothers Westwood Memorial Park to pay final respects to comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield, who passed away on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 following complications from heart valve replacement surgery.
Dangerfield's widow, Joan, created a candle-lit heavens harvest where chandeliers dripped from rose-encrusted trees and white cashmere carpeting covered the grounds leading to the chapel. An angelic harpist strummed at the chapel entry where attendees strolled through ornate iron gates boasting Rodney's initials shaped in sterling silver roses. Joan tried to create heaven on earth by covering the chapel grounds with canopied clouds of softly-lit chiffon which swept twenty feet into the sky while an abundance of fragrant candles and flowers hugged the pathways.
The services were held at dusk in keeping with Rodney's daily request to Joan that she never book appointments for him before 5pm. He was a night person, laid to rest just after sunset.
Master of Ceremonies Bob Saget commandeered a heartfelt and impressive service of eulogists including Rodney's daughter Melanie Roy Friedman, his nieces Morgan and SueAnn Reese, Jay Leno (who called Rodney the greatest stand-up comedian of all time), Roseanne, Paul Rodriguez, Tim Allen, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Michael Bolton (too choked up to sing a planned song, but did speak), Dom Irrerra, and Jim Carrey (who said, Ill never forget how kind he was to my father. I remember watching Rodney on The Ed Sullivan Show as a child, and laughing, not because I got the jokes, but because my father was in hysterics). The common thread of the poignant eulogies emphasized how kind Rodney was to his fellow man, and the generosity he showed friends and fellow comedians.
Pall bearers included Adam Sandler, Michael Bolton, Jim Carrey, Harry Basil, Bob Saget, Rob Schneider, David Permut, son Brian Roy and son-in-law David Friedman.
Honorary Pall Bearers also in attendance included Chris Albrecht, Dennis Arfa, Anthony Bevacqua, George Carlin, Smokey Child, Andrew Dice Clay, Larry David, Layne Dicker, Neal ElAttrache, Dom Irerra, Hillel Laks, Jay Leno, Jon Lovitz, Neil Martin, Anne Meara, Bob Nelson, Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Paul Rodriguez, Roseanne, Larry Shire, Jerry Stiller, Edward Tomblin and Billy Tragresser.
Highlighting the service was a special Rodney Dangerfield Memorial Video, produced by longtime friend, producer David Permut, that treated guests to a visual soundtrack of some of the most memorable moments in Rodney's life that brought the crowd of 500 to tears. A golden caricature of Rodney glowed through a chiffon curtain draped from the chapel's peak behind the mahogany casket. A memory box included special trinkets from family and close friends that was buried with the legendary comedian.
Rodney's widow selected Frank Sinatra's Come Fly With Me as the recessional song because it was playing in Rodney's hospital room when he passed away.
Strolling violinists accompanied the Pall Bearers as they led the casket to the gravesite outside the chapel. The Honorary Pall Bearers and family followed behind. A final Prayer Of Comfort was recited by comic friend Louie Anderson at the behest of Rodney's widow.
After the prayer, guests were led to an elaborate feast of Rodney's favorite dishes presented by caterer Along Came Mary, where family, friends, and fellow comics embraced and reminisced about their friend and how much he truly gave to the world.
The tremendous effect of Dangerfield's passing and legacy was evidenced by the overwhelming attendance by family, friends, and comedy royalty. In addition to the eulogists, pall bearers and honorary pall bearers, other celebrity attendees paying their last respects included Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Louie Anderson, Larry David, Rob Schneider, Bob Nelson, George Lopez, Jon Lovitz, Brian Doyle Murray, Mark Schiff, George Shapiro, Carole Leifer, Dyan Cannon, Norm Crosby, Jack Carter, Robert Klein, Connie Stevens, Dom Irrera, Jayne Meadows, George Schlatter, Ed Begley, Jr., Berry Gordy, as well as comedy club star proprietors Budd Friedman, Jamie Masada, Anthony Bevacqua, and Mike Lacy. Real life angel Farrah Fawcett was also in attendance.
Glowing comments from guests abounded, including Academy Award-winning producer Al Ruddy who said, "It couldn't have been a better funeral if I had produced it. It was tasteful and special and the overall feeling was of happiness." American Comedy Awards creator and producer George Schlatter said, "What a spectacular send- off for Rodney. Joan succeeded in truly creating heaven on earth for Rodney. She thought of everything."
Stunning floral bouquets flooded the chapel and grounds from well-wishers unable to attend such as Larry King, Jack Nicholson, Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Rudner, John Travolta, Chris Matthews, Cindy Williams, Byron Allen and others. Shaquille ONeal sent a seven-foot tree in his place.
Though Dangerfield often joked about his terrible doctor, Dr. Vinny Boombatz, his favorite real-life doctors that looked after him through the years were in attendance, including Drs. Hillel Laks, Neil Martin, Jamie Moriguchi, Neal ElAttrache, and Nick Diaco.
Immediately following the services, Rodney's immediate family, including his wife and children from a previous marriage, Melanie and Brian, gathered at his Star on the Walk of Fame and adorned it with armloads of flowers.
Pierce Brothers Westwood Memorial Park is also the resting final place for a number of Hollywood luminaries including Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Natalie Wood, Walter Matthau, Marvin Davis, and Eva Gabor, among others.
A full-figure bronze statue will be created to adorn Rodney's grave. In addition, a special slide show tribute to Rodney has been created by a group of world-renowned celebrity cartoonists and will soon be posted on his website, www.rodney.com.
RODNEY DANGERFIELD -- Rodney "No Respect" Dangerfield began his career at the age of 15 when he started writing jokes. At 17 he started performing at amateur nights. At 19 he had two jobs, one as a comic who couldn't make a living, and the other as a singing waiter. Rodney would sing and people threw money at him.
He traveled the comedy circuit for ten years but reluctantly gave up showbiz for a more stable income.
It wasn't until the age of 40 that Dangerfield made the decision to relaunch his career as a performer and comedy writer for the second time. He spent his days in a business office and his nights working in New York clubs. Not satisfied, Rodney opened his own club, the now famous Dangerfield's on First Avenue in Manhattan. The club was a huge success and so was Rodney. Rodney introduced many of today's comedy stars to television for the first time on his HBO shows which emanated from Dangerfield's, such as Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Andrew Dice Clay, Jeff Foxworthy, Sam Kinison, Bob Saget, Jerry Seinfeld, Rita Rudner, Robert Townsend, Louie Anderson and others.
Rodney Dangerfield's feature film credits include starring the classic hit comedy CADDYSHACK, as well as EASY MONEY which he co-wrote, the mega-hit BACK TO SCHOOL (one of the first comedys to gross over $100 million), and Paramount's LADYBUGS. In contrast to his comedy roles, Rodney accepted a dramatic role offered to him by Oliver Stone for NATURAL BORN KILLERS. Critics praised his realistic portrayal as the "Father From Hell."
Dangerfield also took an interest in working behind the scenes. He produced the animated feature musical ROVER DANGERFIELD for Warner Bros. Rodney not only provided the voice for Rover, but he also wrote the screenplay, co-composed the songs and served as Executive Producer.
In 1997 Dangerfield starred in and co-wrote MEET WALLY SPARKS, a slapstick comedy romp featuring Cindy Williams, Burt Reynolds, David Ogden Steirs, Michael Bolton, and Tony Danza. That same year, he also appeared in Steven Spielberg's CASPER and also starred in THE GODSON with Dom Deluise.
Another film Dangerfield co-wrote, MY 5 WIVES, is an outrageous comedy where Rodney plays a polygamist. (In real life, Rodney is married to Joan Child, owner of Jungle Roses, a national floral distribution company. They have been married since 1993. Rodney has two children from a previous marriage, Brian and Melanie, and recently became a grandfather for the first time.) Andrew Dice Clay, Jon Byner, Jerry Stiller. Molly Shannon, Brandy Ledford and John Pinette also starred in the film which was released in 2000.
The following year Dangerfield was thrilled to appear as Lucifer in his friend Adam Sandler's film, LITTLE NICKY.
Dangerfield later starred in an unusual love story which he co-wrote with Director Harry Basil called THE 4th TENOR. The favorably-reviewed movie also featured Robert Davi (who Rodney slaps around), Dom Irerra, Charles Fleischer, Annabelle Gurwitch and the lovely opera singer Anita deSimone. This movie was released on Dangerfield's 81st birthday, November 22, 2002.
There is another movie co-written by Dangerfield due for release later this year. It is a prison comedy called BACK BY MIDNIGHT and also stars Kirsty Alley, Paul Rodriguez, Marty Belafsky, Randy Quaid, Joe Nipote, Louie Anderson and Harland Williams. Rodney plays the warden. Michael Bolton makes a surprise cameo appearance.
Besides being a Las Vegas headliner for over 20 years, Dangerfield has also made countless appearances on talk and television variety shows. His first big break was The Ed Sullivan Show which he did 16 times. Rodney also appeared on This Is Your Life, What's My Line, "The Dean Martin Show", Saturday Night Live, and a record 70 times on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Recently, Rodney has appeared on Mad T.V., Suddenly Susan, LateNight with Conan O' Brien, The Single Guy, Home Improvement, The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Pioneering new territory in cyberspace, Rodney was the first entertainer to personally own a Website on the Internet. Launched in February 1995, his state-of-the-art site has won numerous awards and distinctions as one of the most popular destinations on the World Wide Web and can be found at http://www.rodney.com.
Dangerfield has bravely faced some health challenges in recent years. He jokes he's been cut up in so many places he feels like he's back in his old neighborhood. Now he has fully recovered from two aneursym surgeries, heart surgery and brain bypass surgery. He is tan and fit and ready to rule. He begins filming THREE'S A CROWD, a romantic comedy due for release in 2004. Rodney's long-awaited autobiography will be published by HarperCollins in time for Father's Day 2004. His self-penned memoir entitled "It's Not Easy Bein' Me" lays out his "lifetime of no respect, but plenty of sex and drugs."
Did anyone know that Rodney Dangerfield can sing? He has a new album of love songs called ROMEO RODNEY which will be released through Ark21 Records on Valentine's Day 2004.
Dangerfield's contributions to the world of comedy have not been overlooked. In 1981, Dangerfield won a Grammy Award for his comedy album named No Respect and was the recipient of the Lifetime Creative Achievement Award from the 1994 American Comedy Awards. Rodney's famous trademark white shirt and red tie are on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C......Aaahhh....respect at last.
For Rodney
An old friend of mine died today,
a dear, old friend I never met.
I never had a chance to thank him,
to my great sadness and regret.
He made me laugh a million times.
He was always so much fun to watch
making jokes about his wife, his dog,
and his doctor, Vinnie Boom Botz!
He found the humor in a hard life,
though he was just a "regular guy".
I've heard his act a thousand times
but I always laugh until I cry.
Though he wasn't blessed with an actor's looks,
the world should be glad he heard the call
because he gave a voice to every one of us
who ever thought, "I get no respect at all!"
Ah, Rodney, I wish you could have lived forever.
The world is a lot darker now that you're gone.
But I'm sure you're making 'em laugh up in heaven
and the gifts you gave us will always live on.
Since you were always at the top of your game,
your passing was something I didn't expect.
But I can see you cracking up God right now
and hear Him saying, "Rodney, you have my respect."
That would probably come as a surprise to you
because, let's face it, you weren't exactly devout.
But I can't imagine God having no sense of humor
and I don't think that's what heaven's about.
"Rodney," He'd say, "I know you weren't a choirboy
but you're just as good or better, and here's why -
You made people laugh and forget their troubles
in a world where laughter's often in short supply.
I know you'll like it up here in heaven
and I'm sure that you'll never be lonely
because we've recreated your comedy club
and the place is already standing room only.
A lot of your old buddies are waiting inside.
Just like on earth, up here, you're a star.
Don't worry about being on your best behavior.
There's only one Rodney, so just be who you are.
Sam Kinison's sitting at the bar inside.
Andy Kaufman wants to say hello, too.
In fact, there are millions of people here
who would love to say thank you to you."
Then, with His arm around you, he'll walk you inside.
All your friends will be there, happy and healed.
He'll walk up on the stage, take the mic and say,
"Ladies and gentlemen . . . Rodney Dangerfield."
- Mark Rickerby
www.markrickerby.com
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