ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Obit

Offbeat actor & writer ‘Midnight Run’ star Grodin dead at 86 LOS ANGELES, May 19, (AP): Charles Grodin, the droll, offbeat actor and writer who scored as a cad- dish newlywed in “The Heartbreak Kid” and later had roles ranging from ’s counterpart in the comic thriller “Midnight Run” to the bedeviled father in the “Beethoven” comedies, has died. He was 86. Grodin died Tuesday in Wilton, Connecticut, from bone marrow cancer, his son, Nicholas Grodin, said. Known for his dead-pan style and everyday looks, Grodin also appeared in “Dave,” “The Woman in Red,” “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Heaven Can Wait.” On Broadway, he starred with Ellen Burstyn in the long-running 1970s comedy “Same Time, Next Year,” and he found many other outlets for his talents. With bone-dry understatement, Grodin could steal entire scenes with just a look. His commitment, whether act- ing across De Niro or Miss Piggy, was unsurpassed. In his many late-night appearances, he once brought a lawyer with him to threaten David Let- terman for defamation. (The lawyer instead took a shine to Letterman.) Hosting “,” he pretended to not understand live television, Grodin ruining all the sketches. Steve Martin, who co-starred with Grodin in 1984’s “,” remembered him as “one of the funniest people I ever met.” In the 1990s, Grodin made his mark as a liberal commentator on radio and TV. He also wrote plays from Norway performs at the first semifinal of the at Ahoy arena in , Netherlands, May 18. (AP) and television scripts, winning an Emmy for his work on a 1997 special, and wrote several books humorously ruminating on his ups and downs in show business. Actors, he wrote, should “think not so much about getting ahead as becoming as good as you can be, so Music you’re ready when you do get an opportunity. I did that, so I didn’t suffer from the frustration of all the rejections. They just gave me more time.” He spelled out that advice in his fi rst book, “It Would Be So Nice ’s Ericsson Globe renamed ARENA If You Weren’t Here,” published in 1989. Comedy Grodin became a star in the 1970s, but might have First 10 acts qualify for Eurovision fi nal broken through years earlier: He auditioned for the ti- tle role in ’ 1967 classic “,” ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, May 19, song “Fallen Angel” wearing huge viously called Ericsson Globe. It was but the part went instead to . (AP): After the COVID-19 pandemic white wings with dry ice billowing named the Globe Arena Grodin did have a small role in “Rosemary’s Baby” halted last year’s edition, the Eurovision until 2009. and was part of the large cast of Nichols’ adaptation of around him. “Catch-22” before he gained wide notice in the 1972 Song Contest roared back to life Tues- The singer, Andreas Haukeland, “It was a signifi cant milestone in comedy “The Heartbreak Kid.” day, spectacularly celebrating not just uses his stage name as a reference to Tim’s career when he played here nine He starred as a Jewish newlywed who abandons his Euro beats, but also the opportunity for his youth growing up with Tourette years ago, and he would be extremely comically neurotic bride to pursue a beautiful, wealthy fans to watch the fi rst semifi nal live. syndrome and the involuntary tics the proud that this iconic building from blonde played by . The movie was a “We are back, and boy does that feel condition can cause. today will bear his name,” Avicii’s hit and Grodin received high praise. He commented: good!” said Dutch presenter Chantal “I want people to just feel better father, Klas Bergling, said in a state- “After seeing the movie, a lot of people would ap- Janzen after 2019’s Dutch winner, because it’s been a really miserable ment. Tim Bergling proach me with the idea of punching me in the nose.” Hooverphonic from Belgium perform Duncan Laurence, opened the show. year for a lot of people,” he said. “And Avicii, born , died “I thought the character in ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ at the first semifinal of the Eurovision Out of the 16 acts who performed, I think it’s really time to put mental at age 28 in 2018 by suicide. The was a despicable guy, but I play it with full sincerity,” Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotter- 10 progressed to Saturday’s grand health on the agenda.” Grammy-nominated hitmaker was a Grodin told the A.V. Club in 2009. “My job isn’t to dam, Netherlands, May 18. (AP) fi nal: Norway, Russia, Azerbaijan, The bookies’ favorites before Tues- juggernaut on the music scene and judge it. If it wasn’t for Elaine May, I probably would Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, day’s semifi nal were Italian rock band festival circuit, performing his well- never have had that movie career.” Belgium and Ukraine. Maneskin and French singer Barbara known electronic dance songs like In the next few years, Grodin played in a lav- The show had trademark Eurovision Pravi. They enter the musical fray in “Levels” around the world for fever- ish 1976 fi lm remake of “King Kong” as the greedy Variety elements - bombastic beats, big voices, Saturday night’s fi nal. ish fans, sometimes hundreds of thou- showman who brings the big ape to New York. He power ballads, fl amboyant costumes At the other end of the age scale sands at music festivals, where he was was ’s devious lawyer in “Heaven Can and some dress reveals. from Destiny was veteran Belgian the headline act. He broke barriers by Russian singer Manizha emerged in band Hooverphonic, featuring the mixing country and western sounds Wait,” and ’s friend in “The Woman in LOS ANGELES: Rapper T.I. and his Red” (Less successfully, he appeared in May’s 1987 a red boiler suit from an oversized tra- oldest performer at this year’s event, with dance music on hits like “Wake wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris are under ditional dress. 61-year-old Raymond Geerts. Their Me Up” and “,” and he adventure comedy “Ishtar,” a notorious fl op). His turn investigation by police in Los Angeles in 1981’s “” was typically In Rotterdam, Lithuanian pop-rock understated performance also made it was part of the pack of white-hot DJ- after a sexual abuse allegation. band got the Eurovision par- to Saturday’s fi nal. producers-remixers who stood out as dedicated as a thief wooing Miss Piggy. Los Angeles Police Offi cer Rosario In 1988’s “Midnight Run,” Grodin was a bail- ty started with the fi ttingly titled song Despite a tight regime of testing, pop stars in their own right after years Cervantes said Tuesday that an active of working behind the scenes, from jumping accountant who took millions from a mobster investigation is underway. The investiga- “Discoteque” and its opening lines: hygiene and social distancing, organ- and De Niro was the bounty hunter trying to bring him tion comes after a woman in Los Angeles “OK, I feel the rhythm. Something’s izers didn’t manage to completely David Guetta to Calvin Harris to cross-country to Los Angeles. They’re being chased and another in Las Vegas fi led a police going on here.” They can now extend keep the coronavirus out. A member of Skrillex. by police, another bounty hunter and the Mob, and be- report that accused the couple of sexual that feeling straight to Saturday’s fi nal. ’s delegation and one from the Avicii had in the past suffered acute Iceland team tested positive in recent pancreatitis, in part due to excessive cause Grodin is afraid of fl ying, they are forced to go assault. Competition by car, bus, even boxcar. A report was taken April 8 for a sexual days. drinking. After having his gallblad- Grodin and De Niro improvised in many scenes in assault involving the couple that occurred The competition, which this year Delegations from Malta and Roma- der and appendix removed in 2014, he the fi lm, revered as among the greatest buddy com- in 2005, Cervantes said. The police did spotlights contestants performing 39 nia were staying in the same hotel, and canceled a series of shows in attempt edies. Often Grodin was genuinely trying to amuse not provide any additional details. songs from nations across Europe as all underwent precautionary testing that to recover, and in 2016 he announced his more intimidating co-star. One line he threw at De Las Vegas police received a report well as Australia, is one of the largest came back negative, allowing them to he was retiring from the road. Niro: “You ever had sex with an animal, Jack?” this month of a sexual assault incident events staged in Europe since the pan- take part in Tuesday’s semifi nal. A year after his death, Avicii’s in 2010 involving the couple. But the demic began. It is taking place as the Norway’s winged singer certainly en- family launched the Tim Bergling “I moved a little more toward drama and he moved case was closed because it was reported a little toward comedy,” Grodin said at the time. “And continent begins to tentatively emerge joyed performing in front of a live crowd. Foundation, which focuses on sup- outside the statute of limitations. from lockdowns and infection-control “Finally, like, people meeting to- porting people and organizations in we met on a very good ground.” Steve Sadow, the attorney for T.I. and “Beethoven” brought him success in the family- restrictions. gether. I had the best time,” TIX said. the field of mental illness and suicide his wife, said his clients “steadfastly A crowd of 3,500 - tested for the Iceland’s popular Eurovision Song prevention. animal comedy genre in 1992. Asked why he took deny and repudiate” all the allegations. up such a role, he told The Associated Press he was coronavirus ahead of time - was al- Contest entrant Dadi og Gagnamag- Andreas Sand, the CEO of ASM He said the couple has not spoken or lowed into Rotterdam’s Ahoy arena Global’s Stockholm Live which man- happy to get the work. been contacted by police in Los Angeles, nid will not perform live at the event “I’m not that much in demand,” Grodin replied. Las Vegas or any other jurisdiction in the to watch the performances live. The after one of the group tested positive ages , said “being “It’s not like I have this stack of wonderful offers. I’m country. number was a fraction of the arena’s for coronavirus, organizers announced able to use one of Sweden’s most fa- just delighted they wanted me.” “The LAPD ‘accuser’ once again capacity. Wednesday. mous and visited buildings as a symbol Amid his fi lm gigs, Grodin became a familiar face remains anonymous, thereby preventing For the fi nal, a total of 20 win- “Dadi og Gagnamagnid have taken and meeting place for one of the most on late-night TV, perfecting a character who would us from being in a position to disprove ners from semifi nals on Tuesday and the diffi cult decision to withdraw from important societal issues of our time in confront or others with a fake aggres- or refute her allegations — or even ex- Thursday will join contestants from performing in this year’s live Eurovi- the way we now do together with our siveness that made audiences cringe and laugh at the amine them,” Sadow said. “Meanwhile, the so-called big fi ve of Italy, France, sion Song Contest shows, as they only partners feels fantastic.” same time. although we now have for the fi rst time Germany, Spain and the United King- want to perform together as a group,” Klas Bergling added that the venue “It’s all a joke,” he told The Los Angeles Times a name of an ‘accuser,’ who apparently dom, along with the representative of organizers said. will be “the hub for sharing ideas and in 1995. “It’s just a thing. It was a choice to do that.” fi led a police report with (Las Vegas host nation the Netherlands. Their song, “10 Years,” will remain host activities with the focus on young Metropolitan Police), we have essen- Australia’s act, , was the in the competition. A recording of the peoples’ mental health.” Success tially no specifi cs about her or her claim, only performer who did not attend the group’s dress rehearsal from last week Commonly referred to as the Globe, and her attorney has thus far refused to event in Rotterdam because of corona- will be broadcast in Thursday’s second the arena houses more than 16,000 His biggest stage success, by far, was “Same Time, disclose a copy of the report for public Next Year,” which opened on Broadway in 1975 and virus restrictions. Instead, she partici- semi-fi nal. seats for concerts and it is shaped like scrutiny.” pated in the semifi nal with a recorded Lead singer Dadi Freyr said in a post a large white ball. ran nearly 3½ years. He and Burstyn were two peo- The Associated Press generally does ple who — though each happily married — meet in live performance and was unable to on Instagram that members of the Ice- To celebrate the arena’s new name, not identify people who say they have win over national judges and voters the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic the same hotel once a year for an extramarital fl ing. been sexually assaulted. (AP) landic delegation in the Dutch port city Beyond the humor, the play won praise for deftly trac- ❑ ❑ ❑ from the public. of Rotterdam for the contest “have all Orchestra has recorded a new interpre- ing the changes in their lives, and in society, from the Last on stage Tuesday was one of been extremely careful the whole trip, tation of Avicii’s “,” 1950s to the ’70s. Critic Clive Barnes called Grodin’s LOS ANGELES: In hours of often tear- the bookmakers’ favorites for the title, so this comes as a huge surprise.” performed by 14-year-old Swedish ful testimony, a woman told a judge Maltese singer Destiny. Her song, with singer Ella Tiritiello. character “a monument to male insecurity, gorgeously Also: inept.” Tuesday that she was slipping in and out its thumping beat and lyrics underscor- “It is only by listening to the young After 1994s “My Summer Story,” Grodin largely of consciousness on a night 18 years ago ing women’s strength, showcased the NEW YORK: Avicii’s legacy will live people and working with them that we abandoned acting. From 1995 to 1998, he hosted a talk when she said she found actor Danny powerful voice of a singer who lists on in Sweden — one of the coun- can really make a difference,” Klas show on CNBC cable network. He moved to MSNBC Masterson raping her. Lizzo, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Car- try’s popular arenas is being renamed Bergling said. “We will start from that She testifi ed at a preliminary hearing di B and Megan Thee Stallion as her AVICII ARENA. in everything we do. We call the col- and then to CBS’ “60 Minutes II.” in Los Angeles Superior Court, where a In his 2002 book, “I Like It Better When You’re musical idols. Avicii’s father made the an- lection of young people’s thoughts For judge is deciding whether there is prob- “My song is all about female em- nouncement Wednesday, about three a Better Day because we focused our Funny,” he said too many TV programmers’ believe able cause to order a trial for the “That that viewers are best served “if we hear only from life- powerment. It’s all about you beautiful years after the chart-topping Swedish surveys on what they need for a better ‘70s Show” actor, who is accused of DJ-producer who toured the world long journalists.” He argued that “people outside of raping three women. The Associated women out there,” she said. tomorrow, and their answers will form Washington and in professions other than journalism” Press does not typically name people The fi rst act to go through was Nor- died. The indoor arena in Stockholm, the basis of our work inside and out- also deserved a soapbox. who say they were victims of sexual way’s singer TIX who performed his which first opened in 1989, was pre- side the AVICII ARENA.” He returned to the big screen in 2006 as Zach abuse. Braff’s know-it-all father-in-law in “The Ex.” More Masterson has pleaded not guilty, and recent credits include the fi lms “An Imperfect Mur- his lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, has said der” and “The Comedian” and the TV series “.” he would prove his client’s innocence. Jen B. Grodin was born Charles Grodinsky in testifi ed that she and Masterson son threw her in his jacuzzi. eyelids. I felt really, really sick.” in 1935, son of a wholesale dry goods seller who died were part of the same group of friends who were tied to the Church of Scientol- She said when she got out she couldn’t She said he pulled a gun out of his when Charles was 18. He played basketball and later even sit up. A mutual friend, Luke Wat- nightstand drawer to threaten her. described himself as “a rough kid, always getting ogy in the late 1990s and early 2000s and that she had gone to Masterson’s house son, tried to help her. During cross-examination, Mesereau kicked out of class.” “I couldn’t walk or stand, so he put challenged her over why the gun made He studied at the University of Miami and the Pitts- to pick up a set of keys on April 25, 2003, and got stuck there. me on the tile on the ground,” said Jen no appearance in a police report she fi led burgh Playhouse, worked in summer theater and then She said Masterson had given her a B., who began crying but remained the following year. struggled in New York, working nights as a cab driv- drink in it at her request — her fi rst of composed throughout her testimony. “Do you think that the police just er, postal clerk and watchman while studying acting the night — but said she was “blurry,” “I said, ‘Luke I can’t see,’ and he said, forgot to put it in?” Mesereau said. Judge during the day. weak and queasy about 20 minutes later ‘Open your eyes,’ and I didn’t know my Charlaine F. Olmedo forbade the ques- and had no strength to resist as Master- eyes were closed. I couldn’t open my Harris T.I. tion after a prosecution objection. (AP)