David Rappaport - He walked with midgets

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 23 Feb 2005, 11:15

In films, a lot, good in time bandits.

Britisher David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or ANY size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Afflicted with dwarfism (he was 3' 11"), he was often typecast in bizarre, sometimes silly and demeaning roles; but, like others before him, including well-known actor Michael Dunn, he rose above it all and proved himself a talent to be reckoned with. He was born David Stephen Rappaport on November 23, 1951, in London and showed musical prowess at an early age. He learned how to play both the drums and the accordion, which helped him out financially during the lean years. He studied psychology at the University of Bristol in 1969 and graduated with a degree while developing a side interest in theatre, performing in plays and revues. Following graduation he married his college girlfriend, Jane, and had a son, Joe, the following year. He gave school teaching a try but left in 1977 to focus on his first love--acting. Returning to England, he built up his reputation on TV and developed celebrity status. He acted in and wrote for the program "Beyond the Groove" and performed in a couple of children's series to boot. Film showcases for David came unexpectedly with the scene-stealing role of Randall, the ringleader of a motley group of time-traveling thieves, in Time Bandits (1981), and in The Bride (1985) as Rinaldo, a little man who befriends a giant. American audiences got a good taste of David's charm and razor-sharp wit with the popular but short-lived series "The Wizard" (1986) as Simon, the inventor of odd and exciting toys who derived great pleasure out of being a good samaritan. He followed this with the attention-getting role of slick attorney Hamilton Skylar in a few episodes of "L.A. Law." However, personal unhappiness and acute depression set in during this time. On May 2, 1990, he took his own life, shooting himself in the chest with a .38 caliber revolver he had bought 15 days earlier. The 38-year-old actor was buried at the Waltham Abbey cemetery in England.

J · Post by J » 23 Feb 2005, 11:50

U ON ACID?

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 23 Feb 2005, 11:52

He's smacked up tut tits on sommat.

Mr Kipling Country Slices is my bet.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 23 Feb 2005, 11:52

I thought it was a good counterpoint to the Jimmy Young piece, both underrated in their field, both dead.

It's a bit like 'White men can't jump.'

I've got a film in production, it's called 'Black men can't swim.'

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 23 Feb 2005, 12:02

http://www.badmovies.org/multimedia/mov ... ytown1.mpg

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 23 Feb 2005, 12:05

theres one of those wee midgety dudes lives near me. he works for kwik fit or something now. before that he worked for a boiler cleaning company cos he could fit inside them!!

but this is the goody. prior to falling way down the career ladder he played one of those wee things with the hoods and the shiny eyes that sold r2 d2 and c3po in the star wars films!!

there was a bit about him in the paper a year or two back.

J · Post by J » 24 Feb 2005, 11:08

neil r wrote:theres one of those wee midgety dudes lives near me. he works for kwik fit or something now. before that he worked for a boiler cleaning company cos he could fit inside them!!

but this is the goody. prior to falling way down the career ladder he played one of those wee things with the hoods and the shiny eyes that sold r2 d2 and c3po in the star wars films!!

there was a bit about him in the paper a year or two back.

they are definitely called jawa's. Stick on a dressing gown and
say "OoohTini!" to create your own jawa experience in
your own home. I do it all the time!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Feb 2005, 11:11

That made me laugh out loud mate...

I can just picture you now, what do you do for the piercing glowing eyes, actually hang on....

Also known as the sand people I believe.

Do you have a speeder made of toilet rolls?

J · Post by J » 24 Feb 2005, 11:13

no the sand people are different they are the big fuckers that attack luke in the desert with a cudgeol......

Funny you mentioin that but my loo roll holder is made out of a speedracer

If you didn't want to be a Jawa (going back to Star
Wars impersonations) then there are other characters
we can all try at home:

1. Jabba the Hut: After tucking into a ridiculous
Sunday Lunch just rest back on that sofa and grab for
those cheese and biscuits and scoff them in! Real
Jabba the Hut style. No Jedi Mind trick will stop you
when there's some brie to be munched!

2. C3PO: going for an unexpectantly long toilet
trip walk around your flat with the straight legs and
arms of everyone's favourite robot. The ability to
communicate in over 1 Million forms of language ain't
gonna stop that pain though!

3. pretend you are luke skywalker by taping your dogs
ears up into a "leia" then suspend him off the chandelier,
swing trough the lounge by the curtains grabbing
aforesaid Leia stand in, and kiss passionately upon descent.

erm oops, enough of of my sunday afternoons. Where is my medication

Any other ideas would be greatfully received!

ooohtini and out.