Mar. 8th, 2007 08:24 am
RIP, John Inman: Viral News
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
johnstonmrActor John Inman, popular for his memorably camp role of Mr Humpries in 70s sitcom Are You Being Served?, died today in London, aged 71.
I watched John Inman play the lovely Mr. Humphries all through my teen years, and I loved that character. Sure, he was a walking stereotype, but it was so obvious that Inman enjoyed the portrayal that you couldn't help but think him funny, not offensive. Who could ever take offense to that delightfully funny man?
As I said to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
urban_bohemian when I saw this news on his LJ: It's weird. Normally I don't mourn folks I didn't know, but when that person has entertained you, especially through some of the harder moments of your life, it's hard NOT to feel bereft when they're gone. John Inman made me laugh when most of my life made me cry, and for that alone, I feel his loss.
There's another element, too. We DON'T know them--but we know a portion of them. I grew up watching Katherine Hepburn, and for many, many years, I considered her the epitome of a woman. George Takei's Mr. Sulu has been my constant companion for 35 years, long before I knew I was bisexual or that he was gay. I just loved something about his voice, and because of that, it's almost like I've known the man, even though all I really know is the character, and through meeting George, a little about him. But he's affected my life so profoundly through his work that when he goes, I'll mourn him, too. May it be a long time coming.
I watched John Inman play the lovely Mr. Humphries all through my teen years, and I loved that character. Sure, he was a walking stereotype, but it was so obvious that Inman enjoyed the portrayal that you couldn't help but think him funny, not offensive. Who could ever take offense to that delightfully funny man?
As I said to
urban_bohemian when I saw this news on his LJ: It's weird. Normally I don't mourn folks I didn't know, but when that person has entertained you, especially through some of the harder moments of your life, it's hard NOT to feel bereft when they're gone. John Inman made me laugh when most of my life made me cry, and for that alone, I feel his loss. There's another element, too. We DON'T know them--but we know a portion of them. I grew up watching Katherine Hepburn, and for many, many years, I considered her the epitome of a woman. George Takei's Mr. Sulu has been my constant companion for 35 years, long before I knew I was bisexual or that he was gay. I just loved something about his voice, and because of that, it's almost like I've known the man, even though all I really know is the character, and through meeting George, a little about him. But he's affected my life so profoundly through his work that when he goes, I'll mourn him, too. May it be a long time coming.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject