Sydney Pollack: 1934-2008
A great actor and director has died. Sydney Pollack passed away from cancer in Los Angeles today surrounded by his family. His amazing career as a director was highlighted by receiving the best director Oscar for the sweeping epic “Out of Africa” in 1985.
His other directing credits include Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way we Were (1973), The Firm (1993) and the wickedly funny, gender-bending comedy Tootsie (1982).
As much as I admire him as a director, I will remember Mr. Pollack more for his unique presence as an actor where he had an uncanny ability to bring credibility to any role he portrayed. He exuded strength, wisdom and grit just by being there. Something very few actors possess.
In this memorable scene from Tootsie, Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) storms in to the office of his agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) demanding an explanation on why he was passed up for a part. Dustin Hoffman is brilliant here but notice how Mr. Pollack’s incredible sense of delivery and timing made this the amazing scene that it is.
A tremendous talent and by all accounts, a wonderful man. He will be missed.
UPDATE: Film Critic ROGER EBERT writes a short but meaningful eulogy via his website.