Sometimes the truth on a subject doesn’t peek its head out until months after the fact.
Consider my 2008 chat with actor Dennis Quaid in connection to his underrated football drama “The Express.” Quaid was polite and convivial in person, and mid-interview I lobbed a softball his way just to add some color to the story.
Did he draw inspiration from his older brother Randy Quaid at the dawn of his own acting career?
After all, the senior Quaid already was a working actor, and it seemed like the question could provoke a warm and fuzzy anecdote. Instead, he looked uncomfortable and offered up something bland before moving on to the next topic.
That interview came back to me while reading the news about Randy Quaid’s latest arrest. The actor is now seeking asylum from the Canadian government because he fears he’s being targeted by killers who previously wacked other celebrities like David Carradine and Heath Ledger.
Yes, Cousin Eddie from “Christmas Vacation” is off his meds, his rocker or any other cutesy phrase that disguises a disturbing problem.
Now, I wonder what was really going through Dennis Quaid’s mind that day when I brought up his brother.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I really can’t believe this story about Randy Quaid. I always thought he was intensely likeable in most of his roles and you could really count on a good performance from him. Hearing all this about him and his wife…..it’s really sad. On the other hand, he has had an opportunity that most people won’t ever have and he blew it, so maybe he deserves it?
I always felt Dennis Quaid was underrated. A quality actor who you know won’t phone in a performance, he just never got his really big break. He’s one of those second tier actors that are really good, like Gabriel Byrne or David Thewlis, you just know when they show up on screen, they will give you your money’s worth.
It seems that your 2008 interview touched a family nerve. We don’t know the facts yet but it is possible that he had been suffering from some form of mental illness for years. It sounds like he is in some sort of mental distress (yeah, I am the master of the obvious).
I liked him in his various film roles. I hope he can get some help.
Clearly, the Canadian socialized medicine is doing a horrible job with Randy.
To be fair to Canada, Randy got there less than two weeks ago.
By the way, they’ve been released. Apparently, Evi Quaid is a Canadian citizen because her father was born there.