Saturday, December 3, 2022

SO LONG, CLIFF EMMICH...

You were one of those guys who was always around, moving from the backdrop to seize a scene and please those who enjoy quality, pulp-based and homespun tales. 

In this regard, so many productions benefited from your deft abilities, and the proof can be found in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot; Invasion of the Bee Girls; Jackson County Jail; TelefonHalloween II ('81); Payday; Return to Horror HighShell GameRafferty and the Goldust Twins; Barracuda; Top of the HeapBad Georgia Road; I Want to LiveStingrayHellhole; Heaven's GateDigital Man; DempsyInspector GadgetAll the Marbles; Best of the Best 2; Mousehunt; The Streets of L.A.The Ballad of Brett Maverick; and such engaging series as Police WomanHappy Days; BaywatchThe Odd CoupleStarsky and HutchNash Bridges; Night Court; Murder, She Wrote; Automan; and Walker, Texas Ranger

However, my favorite of your performances exists in the Little House on the Prairie installment, "The Man Inside", where you portrayed one so ashamed of his appearance that he hid from his daughter's life to spare her embarrassment. Your poignant performance still stays with me, so hard to shake, so impossible not to ruminate. 

You gave a lot through your talent, Mr. Emmerich: an actor to be remembered and more so, one to be admired, respected and uplifted. Beyond any doubt, you will be missed. 

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