Character Actor Countdown #8: Bruno Kirby

I continue my running countdown of favorite character actors seen in 2006 with an entry that is a testament to a career and an untimely passing.

8.

I still can't believe Bruno Kirby, one of the better comedic "supporting/character" actors around, is gone. He had leukemia, which was kept fairly secret from the world. I'd wondered why I hadn't seen him in much this year after re-watching Albert Brooks' Modern Romance - which did just arrive on DVD this year, and Donnie Brasco. In honor of his passing and his film career - and despite the fact that his only appearances in 2006 were as producer Phil Rubenstein in Entourage and in an obscure crime film called Played - the raspy voiced, quintessentially New Yorker Bruno Kirby gets an honorary nod on my running list.

In addition to his more famous roles - as Billy Crystal's best friend in When Harry Met Sally... (and as one of Crystal's sidekicks in City Slickers), and as the young Peter Clemenza in The Godfather II, Kirby was also bang on in the vastly underrated comedy The Freshman - which sends up The Godfather magnificently - as the crook who robs Matthew Broderick in the latter's "Welcome to New York" moment. ("The safest neighborhood in New York," he assures Broderick as a gunshot rings in the background.)

"You know how big this is? Bacio di tutti baci... the kiss of all kisses."

Kirby also shined as a bitter limo driver for Spinal Tap in that classic mockumentary; his reaction when the arrogant metal band rolls up the window on him while he talks is priceless.

From Modern Romance, in which he played Jay, Brooks' co-worker and friend, Kirby made an indelible impression, a perfect foil to Brooks' medicine-cabinet-full-of-neuroses:

Robert [Brooks; on phone;] "Jay, listen -- I didn't tell you this before, and I think I should tell you now. I love you. I mean, in the right way. I think you're an amazing guy, and I -- I think I just love you." Jay [Kirby]: "The ludes kicked in, right?"

Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu Jr., you shall be missed.