Publicación en Facebook del amigo de Pernell Elven Robertsjr
PHOTO: Pernell Roberts & Phil Luke Jr (Phil is the
author of the video:” “Pernell Roberts at Roberts Reunion,2000” and the article
”The PR-Memorial Service-2010”]
THE PR-MEMORIAL SERVICE - "The Celebration of Pernell
Roberts Life" [By Phil Joe Luke, Jr.]
Pernell Elven Roberts, Jr. passed away after a two-year
battle with pancreatic cancer on 24 January 2010 at his home in Malibu,
California [Pernell was cremated]. The celebration of Pernell’s life was held
on 28 February 2010 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California,
not far from Pernell’s Malibu home. There were about 130 friends and family
members in attendance at this private gathering.
After I received my nametag and entered the ballroom, the
first person that I recognized was Pernell’s third wife, Kara Knack. I had met
Kara on my previous trip to Los Angeles in 2008. She thanked me for coming to
the memorial. Standing beside Kara was Pernell’s second wife, Judith Lebreque.
Amazingly, Pernell maintained a wonderful relationship with all four of his
wives. Next, I saw Pernell’s friend from Waycross, Larry Briggs and his wife
Beth and daughter Julie. Then walked in cousin Rhett Roberts, his wife Gloria
and their three boys from Waycross. I had not seen Rhett and his family since
the Roberts Reunion back in 2000.
The first order of business was to eat. It was 1:00 and I
was starved after running 10 miles along the Santa Monica coast that morning.
The hotel served a nice winter salad, turkey and ham sandwiches, and a variety
of freshly cut fruit and cookies. After filling my plate I sat at the table
with Larry and Rhett and their families. This was the family table of Georgia
crackers. Music from Pernell’s 1963 album “Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies”
played softly in the background. Photographs of Pernell surrounded the
ballroom.
Next, Richard Stone spoke of some of his memories of
Pernell. He said that he was Pernell’s lawyer through all of his divorces. He
said that he never met Pernell’s first wife, Vera Mowry, but their divorce was
very cordial. He spoke of Dr. Vera Mowry Roberts as a legendary professor of
theater history at the Hunter College of the City University of New York. He
also mentioned that Vera had passed away one week after Pernell. Richard told
the story of how Pernell married Judith during a lunch break during the
shooting of Bonanza. Richard had arranged for the marriage to occur before a
judge in Hollywood. But first Richard had to pick-up Judith and transport her
to the marriage location. Richard’s car ran out of gas along the way. He had to
run to the nearest gas station and get gas. They made it just in time. Pernell
and Judith were married during his lunch break and he rushed back to the set.
Richard also spoke of Pernell leaving Bonanza after his five-year contract
ended. He was such a main character the studio didn’t know how they would
replace him. Pernell went his separate way and Bonanza continued for another
seven years. Richard said that David Dortort, the producer of Bonanza, told him
years later that of the four main characters on Bonanza, Pernell was the only
true professional actor. For example, the other three guys (Lorne Green,
Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker) had problems filming scenes, difficulties
remembering lines, etc.; Pernell never did. On the set he was the consummate
professional actor. The problems between David and Pernell were off the set.
Richard also represented Pernell during the 1980s when the Ponderosa Ranch
theme park near Lake Tahoe was using Pernell’s image on billboards to promote
the park, without his approval. Pernell filed a lawsuit, which he won. Richard
told how Pernell and Eleanor were married in his breakfast room. Richard’s son
became a judge and their marriage was the first marriage he ever performed.
Richard spoke of Pernell being a fighter, but pancreatic cancer often meant a
quick death. Pernell, the great fighter, fought that cancer for over two years
until his final breath.
The next speaker was Pernell’s second wife, Judith (married
1962-1971). Judith told how she and Pernell had met in a bar in Hollywood. She
spoke about their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, including their
1965 March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama with Martin Luther King. She also
read one of Pernell’s favorite poems. It was a beautiful poem that I wish I
could remember. The last verse was about never having to say goodbye and it
brought the first of many tears.
Next up was Peter Harrell. Peter had met Pernell in the
1970s while attending St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. The theater
department wanted Peter to play a part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The
character was an Indian. Peter wasn’t sure that he wanted to be in the play
until he found out that the lead character would be Pernell Roberts. Peter
called to tell his parents and his father told him, “Son, you do that play and
learn all you can from that man.” The day of Peter’s first meeting with
Pernell, he showed up and waited, but Pernell had not arrived. Someone told him
that Pernell was down running on the track. Peter went down to the track where
Pernell was running. He described Pernell as this big, burly guy dressed like a
lumberjack, running the track with boots on. The second time Pernell passed
Peter he stopped, looked at Peter and said, “Are you Peter Harrell?” Peter
responded, “Yes, I am.” Pernell said, “Well you’re the biggest, blackest Indian
I’ve ever seen.” Peter said, “It’s pretty obvious that I’m black.” Pernell
laughed and told him not to worry that they would recast the role for him.
Pernell gave Peter a lot of guidance during that show and told him he thought
he could make it in acting. Peter said that he thought he would like acting if
all actors were like Pernell. However, once Peter arrived in Los Angeles, he
learned quickly that most actors were not like Pernell. Peter was having
difficulty finding work and Pernell invited him to join the Trapper John cast.
Peter went on to film 28 episodes of Trapper John as Pete the anesthesiologist
(1979-1984). Peter said that he learned so much from Pernell and that he would
be indebted to him forever. Peter said that his last visit with Pernell was in
November 2009. He and a friend were only going to visit Pernell for about an
hour because they knew he was sick and weak. The visit ended up being three
hours long. Before Peter left, Pernell sang 12 stanzas of one of his favorite
folk songs, Dapper Dan. Peter said he could tell that Pernell had given it all
he had. At the end, Pernell stood up and took a bow. That was Peter’s last
visit with Pernell. “My parents were waiting for Pernell when he arrived at
Heaven’s Gate,” said Peter. “And, he’ll be waiting for me when I arrive.”
Larry Briggs was the next speaker. Larry told how he and
Pernell had met 20 years ago through a mutual friend. Pernell was in Waycross
and looking for a canoeing partner. Larry is a big canoer, often taking
three-day canoeing trips across the Okeefenokee Swamp. Pernell wanted to canoe
the Satilla River from Waycross all the way to the Georgia coast. They would
canoe about 20 miles per day and Larry’s wife Beth would meet them at
predetermined locations along the way. On the final day of their journey, it was
taking longer than expected as they neared the ocean and the river got wider. A
motor boat was speeding directly toward them. Pernell said, “Larry, do you
think he sees us?” The boat’s waves almost capsized them as the boat got near.
Finally, the old codger looked at Pernell and said, “I know you. I was watching
you on TV the other night.” The guy raised his arms like he was pointing a gun
at Pernell and said, “If I had a gun I would’ve shot you.” Larry and Pernell
were not sure what to do except get closer to the shore. Finally, the guy said,
“Well since I found you, I’ll go back and tell the misses.” It turned out that
they were over an hour late and Beth was worried about them. She asked this old
codger with a boat if he would mind going upriver to look for them. He didn’t
seem inclined to do so until Beth told him, “The guy in the canoe is Adam
Cartwright.” Larry told another story of how he and Pernell were in North
Carolina. They had reservations at a hotel and as they entered they could hear
this black couple arguing with the hotel manager. Somehow, the hotel didn’t
have a room for them even though the couple had a confirmation number. The
manager saw that Pernell was waiting and said, “Mr. Roberts, I have your room
waiting.” The couple’s argument with the manager continued a little longer.
Finally, Pernell had heard enough. He walked up to the manager and said, “I
know how to resolve this situation. You told me that you have a room waiting
for me.” He then looked at the hotel manager very sternly and said, “This
couple can have my room. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?” The
manager responded, “No sir, Mr. Roberts.” Pernell and Larry went to a
relative’s house that lived nearby and slept on bunk beds that night.
Gregory Harrison, who played the young Dr. “Gonzo” Gates on
Trapper John, M.D., was not scheduled to speak, but he decided to get up and
speak. He said that he had worked with Pernell for seven and one half years for
12 hours per day. Over that period of time he learned a great deal from
Pernell. He called Pernell the most furious man he had ever known. He was
furious about acting and furious when things did not go his way, on or off the
set. He said that Pernell was all about quality acting and there is no quality
acting today. Instead, the studios are more concerned with getting scenes shot
quickly to save money. He said that he sees some of Pernell’s professional
qualities in himself today. He is grateful for that.
Ed Gish got up and joked about how it seemed odd that three
of Pernell’s wives were at the service. He said that the only reason his
ex-wives would show up at his funeral would be to ensure he was really dead. Ed
spoke of how he called Pernell to tell him that his second wife had left him.
Pernell said, “She did what?” Ed said, “She left me for the UPS man.” Pernell’s
response was, “It’s those damn brown shorts.” Ed said that no matter what was
going on in life, he could always call Pernell and he would make Ed feel
better. Pernell’s voice just had that calming, soothing effect.The service
concluded with Pernell reading a Desiderata in 1973 and then some highlights of
his great performances over the years. There were acts from a couple Bonanza
episodes, Big Valley, Hawaii Five-O, and The Odd Couple to name a few. Eleanor
thanked everyone for coming. It was a wonderful celebration of a wonderful man.
I believe he would have been proud. Peace, my friend.
Traducción al español-castellano
FOTO: Pernell Roberts y Phil Luke Jr. (Phil es el autor del
video: “Pernell Roberts at Roberts Reunion, 2000” y del artículo “The
PR-Memorial Service-2010”]
THE PR-MEMORIAL SERVICE - "The Celebration of Pernell
Roberts Life" [Por Phil Joe Luke, Jr.]
Pernell Elven Roberts, Jr. falleció tras dos años de lucha
contra el cáncer de páncreas el 24 de enero de 2010 en su casa de Malibú,
California [Pernell fue incinerado]. La celebración de su vida se llevó a cabo
el 28 de febrero de 2010 en el Hotel Fairmont Miramar de Santa Mónica,
California, cerca de su casa en Malibú. Asistieron unos 130 amigos y familiares
a esta reunión privada.
Después de recibir mi etiqueta con mi nombre y entrar al
salón de baile, la primera persona que reconocí fue a la tercera esposa de
Pernell, Kara Knack. La había conocido en mi anterior viaje a Los Ángeles en
2008. Me agradeció mi presencia en el memorial. Junto a Kara estaba la segunda
esposa de Pernell, Judith Lebreque. Sorprendentemente, Pernell mantenía una
relación maravillosa con sus cuatro esposas. Después, vi a Larry Briggs, amigo
de Pernell de Waycross, a su esposa Beth y a su hija Julie. Después entraron mi
primo Rhett Roberts, su esposa Gloria y sus tres hijos de Waycross. No había
visto a Rhett ni a su familia desde la reunión de los Roberts en el año 2000.
Lo primero que hice fue comer. Era la 1:00 y estaba muerto
de hambre después de correr 16 kilómetros por la costa de Santa Mónica esa
mañana. El hotel sirvió una rica ensalada de invierno, sándwiches de pavo y
jamón, y una variedad de frutas recién cortadas y galletas. Después de llenar
mi plato, me senté a la mesa con Larry, Rhett y sus familias. Era la mesa
familiar de las galletas Georgia. La música del álbum de Pernell de 1963,
"Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies", sonaba suavemente de fondo.
Fotografías de Pernell rodeaban el salón de baile.
A continuación, Richard Stone compartió algunos recuerdos de
Pernell. Comentó que fue su abogado durante todos sus divorcios. Comentó que
nunca conoció a su primera esposa, Vera Mowry, pero que su divorcio fue muy
cordial. Habló de la Dra. Vera Mowry Roberts como una legendaria profesora de
historia del teatro en el Hunter College de la City University de Nueva York.
También mencionó que Vera falleció una semana después de Pernell. Richard contó
cómo Pernell se casó con Judith durante la pausa para el almuerzo durante el
rodaje de Bonanza. Richard había arreglado el matrimonio ante un juez en
Hollywood. Pero primero tuvo que recoger a Judith y llevarla al lugar de la
boda. Su coche se quedó sin gasolina en el camino. Tuvo que correr a la
gasolinera más cercana a cargar combustible. Llegaron justo a tiempo. Pernell y
Judith se casaron durante su pausa para el almuerzo y él regresó corriendo al
set. Richard también habló de cómo Pernell dejó Bonanza tras finalizar su
contrato de cinco años. Era un personaje tan importante que el estudio no sabía
cómo reemplazarlo. Pernell se separó y Bonanza continuó durante siete años más.
Richard dijo que David Dortort, el productor de Bonanza, le dijo años después
que, de los cuatro personajes principales de Bonanza, Pernell era el único
actor verdaderamente profesional. Por ejemplo, los otros tres (Lorne Green,
Michael Landon y Dan Blocker) tenían problemas para filmar escenas,
dificultades para recordar diálogos, etc.; Pernell nunca los tuvo. En el set,
era un actor profesional consumado. Los problemas entre David y Pernell se
producían fuera del set. Richard también representó a Pernell durante la década
de 1980, cuando el parque temático Ponderosa Ranch, cerca del lago Tahoe, usaba
la imagen de Pernell en vallas publicitarias para promocionar el parque sin su
aprobación. Pernell presentó una demanda, que ganó. Richard contó cómo Pernell
y Eleanor se casaron en su comedor. El hijo de Richard se convirtió en juez y
su matrimonio fue el primero que él ofició. Richard habló de Pernell como un
luchador, pero el cáncer de páncreas a menudo significaba una muerte rápida.
Pernell, el gran luchador, luchó contra ese cáncer durante más de dos años
hasta su último aliento.
El siguiente fue Peter Harrell. Peter había conocido a
Pernell en la década de 1970 mientras asistía a la Universidad de St. Edward en
Austin, Texas. El departamento de teatro quería que Peter interpretara un papel
en Alguien voló sobre el nido del cuco. El personaje era un indio. Peter no
estaba seguro de querer estar en la obra hasta que descubrió que el personaje
principal sería Pernell Roberts. Peter llamó para avisar a sus padres y su
padre le dijo: "Hijo, haz esa obra y aprende todo lo que puedas de ese
hombre". El día de la primera reunión de Peter con Pernell, se presentó y
esperó, pero Pernell no había llegado. Alguien le dijo que Pernell estaba
corriendo en la vía. Peter fue a la vía donde corría Pernell. Lo describió como
un tipo grande y corpulento vestido como un leñador, corriendo por la vía con
botas puestas. La segunda vez que Pernell pasó junto a Peter, se detuvo, lo
miró y le dijo: "¿Eres Peter Harrell?". Peter respondió: "Sí, lo
soy". Pernell dijo: "Bueno, eres el indio más grande y negro que he
visto". Peter dijo: "Es bastante obvio que soy negro". Pernell
se rió y le dijo que no se preocupara, que le buscarían otro actor para el
papel. Pernell le dio muchos consejos a Peter durante ese programa y le dijo
que creía que podría triunfar en la actuación. Peter dijo que creía que le
gustaría actuar si todos los actores fueran como Pernell. Sin embargo, una vez
que Peter llegó a Los Ángeles, aprendió rápidamente que la mayoría de los
actores no eran como Pernell. Peter tenía dificultades para encontrar trabajo y
Pernell lo invitó a unirse al elenco de Trapper John. Peter llegó a filmar 28
episodios de Trapper John como Pete, el anestesiólogo (1979-1984). Peter dijo
que aprendió mucho de Pernell y que estaría en deuda con él para siempre. Peter
dijo que su última visita con Pernell fue en noviembre de 2009. Él y un amigo
solo iban a visitar a Pernell durante una hora porque sabían que estaba enfermo
y débil. La visita terminó durando tres horas. Antes de que Peter se fuera,
Pernell cantó 12 estrofas de una de sus canciones folk favoritas, Dapper Dan.
Peter dijo que se notaba que Pernell lo había dado todo. Al final, Pernell se
levantó e hizo una reverencia. Esa fue la última vez que Peter lo visitó.
"Mis padres lo estaban esperando cuando llegó a Heaven's Gate", dijo
Peter. "Y él me estará esperando a mí cuando llegue".
Gregory Harrison, quien interpretó al joven Dr. “Gonzo”
Gates en Trapper John, M.D., no tenía previsto hablar, pero decidió hacerlo.
Comentó que había trabajado con Pernell durante siete años y medio, 12 horas al
día. Durante ese tiempo, aprendió muchísimo de Pernell. Lo llamó el hombre más
furioso que había conocido. Estaba furioso por la actuación y furioso cuando
las cosas no le salían como él quería, tanto dentro como fuera del set. Dijo
que Pernell se centraba en la calidad de la actuación y que hoy en día no hay
calidad de actuación. En cambio, los estudios se preocupan más por rodar las
escenas rápidamente para ahorrar dinero. Dijo que ve algunas de las cualidades
profesionales de Pernell en él mismo hoy en día. Está agradecido por ello.
Ed Gish se levantó y bromeó sobre lo extraño que le parecía
que tres de las esposas de Pernell estuvieran en el servicio. Dijo que la única
razón por la que sus exesposas aparecerían en su funeral sería para asegurarse
de que realmente estuviera muerto. Ed contó cómo llamó a Pernell para decirle
que su segunda esposa lo había dejado. Pernell dijo: "¿Hizo qué?". Ed
dijo: "Me dejó por el repartidor de UPS". La respuesta de Pernell
fue: "Son esos malditos pantalones cortos marrones". Ed dijo que,
pasara lo que pasara en la vida, siempre podía llamar a Pernell y él lo haría
sentir mejor. La voz de Pernell tenía un efecto calmante y tranquilizador. El
servicio concluyó con la lectura de un Desiderata en 1973 por parte de Pernell
y algunos momentos destacados de sus grandes actuaciones a lo largo de los
años. Hubo actuaciones de un par de episodios de Bonanza, Big Valley, Hawaii
Five-O y La extraña pareja, por nombrar algunos. Eleanor agradeció a todos por
asistir. Fue una celebración maravillosa de un hombre maravilloso. Creo que se
habría sentido orgulloso. Paz, amigo
Del mismo Facebook
PERNELL ROBERTS IN FOCUS
Pernell Elven Roberts, Jr. (U.S.Marine Corps Veteran)
www.facebook.com/pernell.roberts.jr
PERNELL ROBERTS….. THE MARINE
Pernell was a musician… who played “baritone horn”, “sousaphone”, “tuba” and “percussion”. In 1946 he was assigned to the Marine Corps band. After leaving the service, Pernell attended the University of Maryland . While there he received his first exposure to acting in classical theatre.
PHOTO>We can see him in uniform at a meeting with the leader of the band.