The Great Bob Dishy

Bob Dishy has done some incredible work and is truly an outstanding actor. He has appeared and stood out in such films as “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Don Juan DeMarco.”

Though he is the “actor’s actor,” I feel Mr. Dishy does not get enough credit. In a word, he is brilliant.

Recently I saw him arrive just before doing two readings of Murray Schisgal plays under the auspices of “Food for Thought Productions.” He took off his jacket and went to work. His performance was outstanding.

He had two great co stars. In “The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Crying,” he worked with his wife Judy Graubart. Next, without batting an eyelash, he worked with Zach Grenier in “Death, Thou Shalt Die.”

After the performance, Mr. Dishy was very pleasant and he showed his versatility as he detailed game one of the Miami Heat/Indiana Pacers series. I had missed the game and wanted details.

He knew more about the game than most, if not all of the commentators, who abound in the sportscasting wilderness. He had an almost total recall of the game’s key moments though he had no idea that would be what I wanted to know.

I thought of and admittedly researched some of his many roles. I did remember him as the Jewish man who was to marry Maude’s daughter Carol (played not by Adrienne Barbeau but by Marcia Rodd) and about to meet Archie in a pre “Maude,” “All in the Family” episode.

In that episode and in countless roles, he displayed humor and created pathos. He possesses a rare gift and the audience is so fortunate to have the likes of Bob Dishy around.

The readings were part of the great program at Food For Thought Productions created by Susan Charlotte and Mary J. Davis. A new season highlight will be “Masks,” starring the great Fritz Weaver on October 3rd.

Andy B with Bob Dishy