The Dignity of a Celebrity
In the earlier days of my street-performing career it was not uncommon for me to see various celebrities in my audience. Vancouver, which has been dubbed “Hollywood of the North” due to the amount of feature films that are produced there, is no stranger to visiting celebrities. Since the public market in Vancouver was a tourist destination, it drew stars as well as the general public. Over the years I saw quite a few familiar faces: Hal Holbrook, Paula Abdul, Emilio Estevez, and Donny Osmond were a few I recognized.
In the summer of 1987 the movie The Untouchables had just been released, starring, among others, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, Kevin Costner and Charles Martin Smith. Mr. Smith had appeared by then in films such as Never Cry Wolf, which he had starred in several years earlier, American Graffiti, and The Buddy Holly Story in the 1970s. I recognized him immediately when he showed up in the audience at one of my public shows along with a small group of friends.
At the time I had a routine that involved the juggling of a bowling ball, a plunger, and a ping-pong ball. It had a fair bit of audience participation that led up to the actual juggling of the items. The plunger, I had discovered, would stick nicely atop any head of an audience member who was folically challenged, and Mr. Smith fit the category. I remember pegging his shiny pate with the plunger and using the secure fit to lead him onstage. The audience, as you can imagine, roars at the outrageousness of this bit, no matter who it is.
I don’t know how many people recognized who my volunteer actually was. The only real thing I can remember is Mr. Smith’s composure and bearing as a person. He didn’t resist, nor did he ham it up in any way. He just maintained utter dignity, even with a plunger on his head. He simply accepted this role that I cast him in and let his part unfold. When it was over he turned and looked at me without a word, his presence unruffled, and walked away with quiet humility and self-respect.
I was working hard at that time as a struggling street-performer, anxious to get positive responses from my crowds. I recall what a profound impact Mr. Smith’s example made upon me. I deeply admired his poise, self-confidence and the complete absence of his need for anything from the audience in terms of recognition or approval. Defying my projections of celebrity status upon him Mr. Smith demonstrated that excellence is not something one obtains from an audience; it is something that one assumes for oneself from within.
Falling Down is Always Funny
Quotable
"This woman sneezed like three hundred times. She said, "There must be something in the air." I said, "Yeah, your germs."
Linda Herskovic
Past Newsletter Topics
Kindness Heals Everyone
Get Out of Jail Free
3 Things to Remember in an Economic Downturn
If You Love Something ...
Does Your Success Need an Audience?
Perfectionism or Professionalism?
What Doesn't Kill You ...
Ever Had One of Those Days?
The Power of Humor and Relaxation
Rick's Agent Friendly Site
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Rick Lewis has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for the last 30 years. The success of The World's Funniest Waiter over the years is based on clean, interactive comedy and high-level circus skills.
