Sure, one of the funniest men alive.
But that was only a part of it.
He was a real man. Took responsibility for his life. He often said "don't nobody owe me nothing".
Hard worker. Disciplined. Thoughtful. smart. Insightful. Cultured.
Took responsibility for others. Looked out for every single person on the crew, every member of the cast.
Not a mean, dark person when not "on". Generous to every visitor to the set.
Working with him was a gift, but even better was lunch. He would have an elaborate catering, real soul food: oxtails, lima beans, cake and pie - and he didn't even like sweets.
You'd sit there, eat til you burst, and he'd tell you stories. Hilarious, genius stories. Some real, some fake, but it didn't matter. He was an ocean of comedy.
His understanding of the human condition was laser sharp. We never got to do a drama together, which was too bad, because he had the goods.
After losing Robin Harris, I can't believe we lost another master comic from Chicago way, way too soon. Like Robin, fully representing the Old School. We do not understand the depth of this loss.
