Character actor Bruno Kirby has died, and “Babyfishmouth!” is what I remember best about him. The man has dozens of credits, most of them supporting roles, but what sticks with me is that game of Pictionary from When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal has the punchline, but Kirby’s setup is what makes it priceless. His two teamings with Crystal — as the latter’s best pal in both WHMS and City Slickers — are probably Kirby’s most indelible work. (I’ll always thank him for steering clear of City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curley’s Gold.)
This is the usual refrain when a character actor dies, but it’s true: It takes a special sort of performer to back the lead, blah blah, enriching a scene without stealing the focus. Cliché? Perhaps. But it’s also true. Kirby will always be remembered as that perfect pal, the faithful retainer — a fate that may have been sealed early on, when he made his big breakthrough playing young Peter Clemenza in The Godfather Part II. Kirby had subordination down to a science — yet he was never any kind of pushover or patsy. He even had the stones to play up his second banana-ness with a hilarious recurring arc playing himself on The Larry Sanders Show, culminating in the ultimate second-tier celeb indignity: getting bumped from the sign-off show.
Jeez, he was just on Entourage! (Though mostly in bed, if I recall.) Poor Bruno Kirby. We’ll miss you, sir. Everything you were in, you made it better. How many can say that?
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Oh my god! for two reasons.
I can’t believe he WAS just on Entourage this season. I also can’t believe that the only think I’ll remember him for is losing his Shrek Doll!
I loved him in When Harry Met Sally, so much so I almost wished he was the lead character. He also has a funny part in an Albert Brooks movie, Modern Romance.
I wasn’t really a fan of City Slickers, but he was good in it, you will be missed Mr. Kirby.
One of my favorite Kirby performances was in Good Morning Vietnam, where he had to not only be straight man to Robin Williams, but had to play genuinely UN-funny when he substituted as a DJ. A genuinely funny person playing unfunny stuff while thinking it was hilarious–all of this years before morning-radio “zoo shows” made it the norm. God bless, Bruno Kirby.
I loved him in City Slickers. His classic line from that movie: “No, it means I like your ass and I want to wear it for a hat.” Hilarious!
RIP Bruno.
“Oh and Babyfishmouth is sweeping the nation.”
He will be missed.
Oh my.
I loved CITY SLICKERS; he was superb in it.
God bless ya, Mr. Kirby.
Thank you for the tribute to Bruno Kirby. I had already heard he passed away when I logged onto ew.com, and my first thought was, I hope they have a tribute. He was in great movies (The Godfather Part II, Good Morning Vietnam, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Donnie Brasco) and also did some great work on TV (The Larry Sanders Show, Entourage). Supporting players such as him truly enrich film and television and he will be missed.
Good actor, but really the role I can remember him best from is Basketball Diaries, for obvious purposes. Made me afraid to see him if I would be walking down a dark alley. RIP Swifty
He was Spinal Tap’s limo driver. I love when he meets them at the airport holding the sign that says “Spinal Pap”
Great tribute.Amen.RIP,Mr. Kirby!
don’t forget Kirby in The Freshman
w/Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando…
Bruno was great. He will be missed!
I’m going out today to buy a stupid, wagon-wheel, Roy-Rogers, garage-sale coffee table in Bruno’s honor.
From “Mr. Zero knew before you?” to “hello I ‘d like to wear your ass as a hat”. Bruno Kirby played every part well.
He will be sorely missed.
All I could think of this morning? “Draw something…resembling anything!”
Bruno Kirby has always been one of my favorite actors, and it truly made me sad to see that he had passed away. He was the perfect ’supporting actor.’ I don’t think I ever saw him in a lead role, and that was fine with me. Whatever he was in, he made better and it made me smile. I actually thought about him about 2 weeks ago, wondering if he was in any movies recently.
It saddens me that we lost a such a good actor and a good person. When people say the Bruno Kirby died, most will say “who’s that?” But when they see a picture of him or watch City Slickers or When Harry Met Sally, they’ll remember him and remember him fondly.
Rest in Peace, Bruno. You will be missed.
He was great in Good Morning Vietnam and just incredible in the Basketball Diaries. He was so creepy in that role that I had a hard time watching him in anything else for a while.
Rest in Peace.
Marie – ‘Tell me i’ll never have to be out there again.’
Jess – ‘You will never have to be out there again’.
I was just watching all of this season’s Entourage episodes 2 days ago and he was in one of them. And I thought- Oh gosh, how great, it has been so long since I have you! Now I think I will go through my collection and watch all his movies this week. I have almost everything he is in, because he made such great choices in what he chose to be in and he was flawless in his roles. I love his character in Good Morning Vietnam when he talks to Robin Williams character about nice clean fun and how he could play some nice polka music.
He will truely be missed.
The role he had in the beginning of The Freshman was precious: “Due expresso!”
We at WMMR-FM in Philadelphia were lucky enough to have Bruno stop by for an interview about ten years ago, when he was in town doing a play. And as deservedly praised as he was for his acting, just THAT VOICE, and his command of the language, made for riveting radio. He told a story about being a theatre usher on Hollywood Blvd, when Elvis came with a group (Entourage?) During the film, he called his mom down so she could meet him. Priceless! Bruno Kirby was proud of his dad, devoted to his craft, and most of all a gentleman. I count myself very fortunate to have met him. Today, we replayed that interview on the air in Philly, and it was as real and charming today, as it was when he graced us with it.
Gone too soon. Rest in Peace, Bruno.
You are so right!!
It does take a special performer to
back the lead–he was perfect!!
If I could pick a perfect friend it
would be him.
I will miss him and treasure what he gave us to remember
What a shock. I just watched “When Harry Met Sally” the other day on DVD. When I saw he died I thought, “He’s too young!” He’ll be greatly missed. I loved watching him in his various roles.
Bruno was magnificent in “Good Morning, Vietnam”. An equal to Robin Williams in many aspects. RIP, Bruno.
I recalled seeing him on Broadway in a Neil Simon play which was later made into a movie without him (Richard Dreyfuss) played the part. Too bad — Bruno was spectular as the uncle.
Great actor. Love him. Will be missed, Like any great character actor, they don’t die, they make timely exits. RIP Bruno!
To me, his most memorable second-banana line was from WHMS: “You made a woman meow?!” Bravo Bruno & rest in peace.
Oh, Bruno,
I first saw him in many many roles as a child actor
and got to meet him while working at “The Beverly Wishire Hotel” in 1986 he had lost his wallet and I found it.
He came and picked it up and we talked for two hours
about cars and acting a real sweet guy.
Then he got his break thru parts and I was very proud
of him. We talked a few times but lost touch.
man what a guy.
Check out Bruno in Albert Brooks’ “Modern Romance” in 1984.
I had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friendly with Bruno during the filming of Good Morning Vietnam in Bangkok. He was a bright talented guy, a gentleman who took his craft but not himself too seriously. His appearances in The Larry Sanders roast and final episodes belied a generosity of spirit that was really charming.
He will be missed
He really is one of the last of a golden era – one of the last great character actors. They just don’t make ‘em like that any more. And like all great character actors, while his body of small parts is enormous, he also leaves behind a legacy that includes a couple of real classics. I met him after seeing LOST IN YONKERS on Broadway – a real class guy.