In Memoriam: David Warner

A 1961 graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, David Warner led a full life as an actor. He interpreted the heavyweight roles on stage – Hamlet, Henry VI. He left indelible marks on the American small screen in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Twin Peaks,” and as Bob Cratchit in the 1984 “Christmas Carol” telemovie, my personal favorite version of the Dickens holiday classic. He provided exemplary support on the Hollywood big screen in “The Omen,” Time Bandits,” “Tron,” the list goes on. But c’mon, this is Cinema Romantico. Savvy? Rose DeWitt Bukater is this blog’s movie hero. And David Warner, dead at the age of 80, was the all-important white bread and mayonnaise to Billy Zane’s Grade A ham – you can’t have one without the other – in “Titanic” and recipient of this blog’s second favorite middle finger of all-time which he took in with just the right amount of upper cut umbrage, taking a second to adjust his tie in the middle of his character hustling after those whippersnappers Rose and Jack, an actorly bit of business that has stayed with me lo these 25 years. RIP