Roy Scheider passes on at DVinfo.net

Charles Papert · February 10th, 2008, 11:58 PM

Roy Scheider, probably best known for his role as Chief Brody in the "Jaws" films, has passed on at 75.

Greg Boston · February 11th, 2008, 12:06 AM

I heard that on the news this evening, Chas. I didn't realize he was in Arkansas though.

Sad to hear of his passing after catching the last half of 'Jaws' on one of the sat channels the other evening.

-gb-

Chris Soucy · February 11th, 2008, 12:26 AM

I think he was grossly underrated as an actor, and ill used in many of his film appearances.

His best performance, to my mind, is as the CIA? op in that movie with Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier (what the heck was it called - yet another senior moment?).

Not sure what the director did to get him off his butt, but it worked, he really sparkled in that one.

"Jaws I" was ok, but I think he was coasting. For the others, he was sleepwalking.

Always sad to see another star burn out of the firmament.

Geez, didn't realize he was that age.

CS

Larry Price · February 11th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Damn. 75 is too young to go. My mom turned 74 yesterday, and dad will be 82 in April. While they both have numerous chronic health problems, none are life-threatening, so we expect several more years out of each of them.

I agree that Roy had lots of untapped ability as an actor. He had some good performances, but much of the time it was as if he phoned in his lines. I always wonder who to blame in situations like that.

RIP, Roy, and thanks for entertaining us.

Simon Wyndham · February 11th, 2008, 04:35 AM

French Connection was his best performance in my mind.

Though I loved Blue Thunder also! That is a really underrated movie!

Niall Chadwick · February 11th, 2008, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Soucy

I think he was grossly underrated as an actor, and ill used in many of his film appearances.

His best performance, to my mind, is as the CIA? op in that movie with Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier (what the heck was it called - yet another senior moment?).

Not sure what the director did to get him off his butt, but it worked, he really sparkled in that one.

"Jaws I" was ok, but I think he was coasting. For the others, he was sleepwalking.

Always sad to see another star burn out of the firmament.

Geez, didn't realize he was that age.

CS

CS,

I believe the film you were trying to remember was : Marathon Man

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074860/

:D

R.I.P. Roy.

I Loved Jaws. Scared the **** outta me tho.

Don Bloom · February 11th, 2008, 06:39 AM

he did well in all of those films but the one that really sticks in my mind is All that Jazz. Maybe it was all the great looking women but I think he did a real nice job as Bob Fosse.
Too bad, Iliked him.
Don

Christopher Witz · February 11th, 2008, 07:47 AM

one of my favs!

very sad!

was'nt marathon man one of the 1st movies to have steadicam work? and by Garrett no less?

Chris Soucy · February 11th, 2008, 12:09 PM

yep, yet another film where the Director had Roy "up close and personal" throughout.

Just went to show what he could do if kept from sleepwalking.

Funny thing, from my fractured memory, didn't "Jaws" come out in '76?

Seems it was a very busy year :- "Jaws", "Star Wars" and, if I'm not mistaken, Jeff Waynes double album of "War of the Worlds", with Richard Burton doing the narration (vaguely remember Kate Bush hitting the charts about then as well).

Now, if ever there was a guy who could "phone in his lines" and still win an Oscar, RB was it!.

What else came out in '76? Must have been shed loads. What happened?

CS

PS. Scary - 32 years ago.

Richard Alvarez · February 11th, 2008, 12:41 PM

RIP Roy. "All that Jazz" was undoubtedly his star performance, Marathon Man being a great film, but a supporting role.

I recall seeing "All That Jazz" while I was living in Paris... made me want to dance. A fantastic film.

Charles Papert · February 11th, 2008, 02:15 PM

"Marathon Man" was indeed one of the first films to use Steadicam...either #2 or #3. Of course the "is it safe" drill scene is the most famous in that movie but for me, Scheider getting gut-stabbed is a particularly memorable moment also, due to his reaction.

And without peeking at IMDB, my memory has "Jaws" as being summer 1975 and "Star Wars" as summer 1977...did I get it right? I was too young to see Jaws in the theatre but Star Wars was my life in '77.

Richard Alvarez · February 11th, 2008, 04:00 PM

Right you are Charles, Jaws -75, Marathon Man - 76, Star Wars-77, All That Jazz-79.

I'm old enough to remember seeing all of them, and who I was DATING at the time!

Marcus Marchesseault · February 12th, 2008, 05:28 AM

The Sorcerer was the most uncomfortable viewing experience of any movie I have seen. I know it wasn't popular or well-rated but it drew me in. It was a simple movie but the cinematography and acting somehow got to me. I thought I would have a heart attack when they cross the river. Roy Scheider always seemed to do a good job playing the "everyman" but with just a touch of nobility.

Marco Wagner · February 12th, 2008, 12:55 PM

He'll be missed - "Smile you son-of-a-bitch!"

Victor Kellar · February 13th, 2008, 11:12 AM

I loved Jaws,don't think he phoned it in at all

Performance in All That Jazz sticks out in my mind because it DOES stick out in a movie that had so much other stuff going on, it is remarkable that Roy came thru at all

Loved Blue Thunder and he was very good at it, he had a nice, understated style of acting without a lot of pretense and "technique" which sometimes made it hard for him to stand out

Great supporting work in French Connection and Marathon Man and he was good in Seven Ups as well, a "realistic" style of movie making that seemed to suit him

Last Embrace was a so-so movie that he was very good in, another low key realistic performance

Later in his career he seemed to fall into a b-movie action type role, working in some low rent movies and yes, he seemed to be sleepwalking at times

52 Pickup is a weak film and there is a lot of coasting on Roy's part but he had these moments where you believed everything he was selling

Sad that he has passed and sad that an actor who was on the verge of big stardom never really made it that far

February 10th, 2008, 11:58 PM	#1
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Roy Scheider passes on Roy Scheider, probably best known for his role as Chief Brody in the "Jaws" films, has passed on at 75. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 11th, 2008, 12:09 PM	#9
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	All That Jazz........ yep, yet another film where the Director had Roy "up close and personal" throughout. Just went to show what he could do if kept from sleepwalking. Funny thing, from my fractured memory, didn't "Jaws" come out in '76? Seems it was a very busy year :- "Jaws", "Star Wars" and, if I'm not mistaken, Jeff Waynes double album of "War of the Worlds", with Richard Burton doing the narration (vaguely remember Kate Bush hitting the charts about then as well). Now, if ever there was a guy who could "phone in his lines" and still win an Oscar, RB was it!. What else came out in '76? Must have been shed loads. What happened? CS PS. Scary - 32 years ago.

February 11th, 2008, 02:15 PM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	"Marathon Man" was indeed one of the first films to use Steadicam...either #2 or #3. Of course the "is it safe" drill scene is the most famous in that movie but for me, Scheider getting gut-stabbed is a particularly memorable moment also, due to his reaction. And without peeking at IMDB, my memory has "Jaws" as being summer 1975 and "Star Wars" as summer 1977...did I get it right? I was too young to see Jaws in the theatre but Star Wars was my life in '77. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 12th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#14
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	He'll be missed - "Smile you son-of-a-bitch!" __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

February 11th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	I heard that on the news this evening, Chas. I didn't realize he was in Arkansas though. Sad to hear of his passing after catching the last half of 'Jaws' on one of the sat channels the other evening. -gb-

February 11th, 2008, 12:26 AM	#3
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Sad........... I think he was grossly underrated as an actor, and ill used in many of his film appearances. His best performance, to my mind, is as the CIA? op in that movie with Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier (what the heck was it called - yet another senior moment?). Not sure what the director did to get him off his butt, but it worked, he really sparkled in that one. "Jaws I" was ok, but I think he was coasting. For the others, he was sleepwalking. Always sad to see another star burn out of the firmament. Geez, didn't realize he was that age. CS

February 11th, 2008, 03:45 AM	#4
Larry Price Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 72	Damn. 75 is too young to go. My mom turned 74 yesterday, and dad will be 82 in April. While they both have numerous chronic health problems, none are life-threatening, so we expect several more years out of each of them. I agree that Roy had lots of untapped ability as an actor. He had some good performances, but much of the time it was as if he phoned in his lines. I always wonder who to blame in situations like that. RIP, Roy, and thanks for entertaining us.

February 11th, 2008, 04:35 AM	#5
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	French Connection was his best performance in my mind. Though I loved Blue Thunder also! That is a really underrated movie!

February 11th, 2008, 06:39 AM	#7
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	he did well in all of those films but the one that really sticks in my mind is All that Jazz. Maybe it was all the great looking women but I think he did a real nice job as Bob Fosse. Too bad, Iliked him. Don

February 11th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#8
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	one of my favs! very sad! was'nt marathon man one of the 1st movies to have steadicam work? and by Garrett no less?

February 11th, 2008, 12:41 PM	#10
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	RIP Roy. "All that Jazz" was undoubtedly his star performance, Marathon Man being a great film, but a supporting role. I recall seeing "All That Jazz" while I was living in Paris... made me want to dance. A fantastic film.

February 11th, 2008, 04:00 PM	#12
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Right you are Charles, Jaws -75, Marathon Man - 76, Star Wars-77, All That Jazz-79. I'm old enough to remember seeing all of them, and who I was DATING at the time!

February 12th, 2008, 05:28 AM	#13
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	The Sorcerer was the most uncomfortable viewing experience of any movie I have seen. I know it wasn't popular or well-rated but it drew me in. It was a simple movie but the cinematography and acting somehow got to me. I thought I would have a heart attack when they cross the river. Roy Scheider always seemed to do a good job playing the "everyman" but with just a touch of nobility.

February 13th, 2008, 11:12 AM	#15
Victor Kellar Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 239	I loved Jaws,don't think he phoned it in at all Performance in All That Jazz sticks out in my mind because it DOES stick out in a movie that had so much other stuff going on, it is remarkable that Roy came thru at all Loved Blue Thunder and he was very good at it, he had a nice, understated style of acting without a lot of pretense and "technique" which sometimes made it hard for him to stand out Great supporting work in French Connection and Marathon Man and he was good in Seven Ups as well, a "realistic" style of movie making that seemed to suit him Last Embrace was a so-so movie that he was very good in, another low key realistic performance Later in his career he seemed to fall into a b-movie action type role, working in some low rent movies and yes, he seemed to be sleepwalking at times 52 Pickup is a weak film and there is a lot of coasting on Roy's part but he had these moments where you believed everything he was selling Sad that he has passed and sad that an actor who was on the verge of big stardom never really made it that far