This site was set up in loving memory of my dad, Gregory Dean Suddeth. Greg left the world as we know it on December 19th, 2008. I started this website with the hope that you will share funny stories, curious anecdotes, or fond memories about Greg in the comments section below. If you are interested in sending photographs, please email them to me at missprufrock@yahoo.com and I will post them for you. Greg was an absolute marvel of a man, and we are sorry to see him go. This site is meant to comfort all who miss him, both by writing about him and reading others' stories.
Peace be with you,
Megan Maxine
16 comments:
I met your father through work we were both pursuing involving the then "Blue Sphere" theater group. We both wanted to write and produce plays with a minimum of baloney about the whole process, and I think that common desire is what pulled us together. Sure enough, Greg got saddled with directing a work of mine, "Raincoat" which was my longest and trickiest piece at the time. He did a fantastic job and we put the "production" together with tape and Goodwill furniture. Greg had that thing that true writers, rather than fakes, always have... which is to have restlessness with just about everything else that isn't sitting and writing. We started having breakfast at Nic's on Pico every few months... and it startles me every time I think that those mornings are gone. Maybe there was another man in the drinking days, but I only knew the peaceful, prolific, and thoughtful one. May that guy be working on something new even now as we exchange these notes. Yours... Steve Stajich
I was saddened to read in Variety of Greg's passing. I was lucky enough to have appeared in Greg's, "Being of Sound Mind" at Blue Sphere in '99 when I had just embarked in this acting career. Greg was very encouraging and continued to be so whenever we'd see each other. November of '07 was my last run in with him when he came to see me in a play I was doing.
He was a man who in his writing showed a soul, a sense of humor and the ability to mirror our lives that few playwrights ever master. He will be missed, not only as a talent but as a wonderful man.
My best to you and the family,
Steven Shaw
My wife Jenise and I met Greg and Sharon in the late 70's. They were one of the two couples we knew who were our age and married. They were the first people I had ever met who were from Iowa. Which might have had something to do with why they got married so freakin' young. That and the fact that they were crazy about each other. I sensed from the very first time we met that we would become lifelong friends --and we did. Jenise and I got married in '81 and we all had our kids within a few years of each other. We spent many Thanksgivings together, which I remember as some of the happiest times of my life. When our son Aaron was born, he and Greg immediately bonded. Greg (who was about twice as tall as I am) used to pick him up and give him helicopter rides -- which would've been far less exciting if given by me. Aaron, now 24, remembers them to this day as many of us remember the special things Greg did for each of us. He was especially kind to me when Jenise got sick and ultimately succumbed to her illness. I will never forget the day, about six months after she died, that I had to be in Greg and Sharon's neighborhood and just got to visit with them in the middle of the afternoon. Greg asked me how my life was going and I felt completely comfortable filling him in on what was good as well as what was so painfully bad. I am so sad that he is gone -- there was much more to say. I would love to believe that there is a Heaven because if it's true, Greg's there blowing Irish kisses and making sure Jenise is okay. I miss you, man.
I first met Greg back in 1978. We were standing in line together, waiting to go onstage at the Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip.
Our immediate bond was a ridiculous love of doing celebrity impressions. I used them in the closing part of my act, and they comprised the entirety of Greg’s.
Over time, as Greg and I performed, wrote and hung out together, I witnessed him drift away from doing impressions to develop a clear voice of his own. I know that his friends and collaborators also treasured the strength and richness of that voice.
As Bruce Ferber remarked, I sincerely hope there’s a heaven. Even one that accepts the Irish. But no matter what, I’ll hold Greg near and dear as I carry his voice inside me to the end.
I miss you, Oscar. Love, Felix (aka David Curry)
The thing I loved about Greg was the way he would put sticky notes on the kitchen cabinets - consisting of funny quotes, things he was pondering, items to remember, a dream or two. One pointed note I remember was "Why are so many people I know/love getting cancer?" I don't know either and it just isn't fair. I would write, "Sometimes, the Good Die Young but I will honor our friend Greg by laughing out loud once in awhile - even through the tears." Lynn Harkin
Greg married my cousin Sharon and we have been blessed to have him as a part of our family.
Although I am saddened that I was never able to see Greg on stage - we all knew he was talented.
My strongest memory of Greg was when I was a young girl in school and we had the whole family over at my Mom's house (Greg's Mother in Law - dear A.R. and Uncle Dave lived very close - right across the street!). Greg had decided to amuse my brother and I and started doing a few impressions. To give you an idea of how long ago this was...he was doing impressions of all the characters on "Welcome Back, Kotter" and our favorite was Horshack...hilarious!
Greg was so fantastic that we screamed and begged for more. The more he would perform - the more excited we became. Greg was so good that I think we almost chained his legs to the carpet but finally had to let him go. Boy, were we disappointed when Greg left the house....
Needless to say, I will never forget that - nor will my brother. Greg was a happy soul and cheerfully shared his talents with us, his adoring fans.
I speak for my Mom and brother when I say that we are deeply saddened to lose him. My only comfort is thinking of Greg in heaven cracking jokes so that A.R. can laugh...boy can she laugh! I hope they are having fun together...I like to think so.
All our love,
Barbie, Carina, Bob and Mom (Barb)
last night i came to LA on the Amtrak, and while I was waiting for Sharon outside, leaning against the old walls of Union Station, I thought of all the times that Greg picked me up there when I was in college. He came late at night, early in the morning, every time I called without complaint. He would admonish me to wait for him inside and I would say "sure thing, pop" (I can admit now I was lying through my teeth: I always waited outside) and then he would call and say, "I'm almost there so come outside now," and I would stand already at the curb going "yeah, I'll head right out." A lot of teenagers hear their folks say, "I'll give you a ride anytime you need it, no questions asked." With Greg I knew it was the real deal: a free ride anywhere I needed it, no explanation needed.
Megan, this is such a beautiful thing to do. Greg and Sharon raised a remarkable family. Your love and admiration for your Dad shines through this blog. Hugs to everyone.
Megan, my name is Beth Kain, your folks know me as Cox, recently
married in March. I just want to tell you what I think of your dad. He
is a great person who remembered me every year. We had a sobriety
birthday close together. He and my brother Jim were very good friends
and he was at our house a lot when I was younger. He was so sweet to
remember me every year on my sobriety birthday and send me a note. How
great of a guy does that, making me feel special, his friends little
baby sister. I thought it was so wonderful that he would take the time
for me and it really meant a lot to me. I also was so proud of his
sobriety and the battle he had to fight, and so many more afterwards. I
know you all will miss him so much but I know he is watching over all of
you. He clearly is with God and receiving all the Blessings he so
deserves. He was a special person who others saw his honesty and caring
heart. Your mother is a special one also, you and Dillon are very
lucky. God's Blessings and Peace be with you all and take care of
yourself and them. With all my love, Beth
I think of his strength. And of his courage. It takes strength to be patient, to be gentle. In the thirty years I knew him, he was always patient, always kind.
...He was brave. During the times when he physically suffered, his courage was remarkable. Even when too weak to move, his courage rose like a strong hand and comforted those around him. It was quiet and gentle and it said without speaking that he was still thinking of others, those he loved, those he was with.
...There's so much to learn, from a man like that, about how to live.
...Mike
I met Greg 23 years ago, he was my favorite acting coach.He gave me the nickname Wainman, my name is Wayne and it was a takeoff of the movie Rainman.I liked it so much that I use it as my email address to this day. And I called him Bull Meechum from the movie we both loved The Great Santini. Greg used to say in class "Say what you mean and mean what you say"
He did that in life. Some people try to be kool and some people just are. Greg was definetly the latter. When I went to Ireland a few years ago he was the only person I sent a postcard to. I kept the last email I got from him a few weeks before he passed and I can't get myself to delete it. He singed off with his " Irish hugs and kisses" I loved him dearly and will miss him on so many levels.
All my love to his wonderful family. Till we get to work together on the big stage up there.
A lot of people down here love ya brother.
Peace Bull Love ya Wainman
I met Greg through my husband Bill in the mid 70's. I remember then his easiness, his humor, his story telling and impressions, his way of really listening to you when you spoke. Bill genuinely loved Greg as a talented, intelligent, and compassionate person and friend.
We spent a vacation with Greg and Sharon before kids, my only trip to LA, it was great fun and it was the year that Princess Di and what's his name got married and we watched a little of it on TV whatever year that was. What fun and gracious hosts!
I always looked forward to being invited to spend an evening with you guys when you came back for visits and friends gathered at the Harkins.
Greg touched my heart deeply in the words he wrote to me after Bill's death. It is the only letter I have kept. At a time and in such circumstances that find most people understandably at a loss for what to say, Greg said what was in his heart and spoke to me looking directly at me with words of honesty and consolation. I still occasionally read and hold his sentiments dear because they were spoken by someone who truly got it and cared.
He is a remarkable person, you are a remarkable family. I greive with you and hope we will meet again to tell wonderful stories of the husband, dad, friend and spirit we were graced to know.
Thanks for this opportunity to say goodbye! Cheryl
On marriage.."You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.".......and on death, "For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." Kahlil Gibran.....Happy Valentine's Day to my True Love......forever.
I first met the Suddeth family through my mother's work with their son Dillon at Hancock Park Elementary. From day one, their entire family was always so open, loving and caring. As time progressed, the Suddeths and my family grew tremendously close, and created a bond still shared to this day. I for one have connected with Dillon on a special level, and consider him so much more than a friend, but as family. Greg, Sharon and Megan always went out of their way to make me feel apart of their lives, apart of their inner circle, and that will stay with me forever. Greg would talk so passionately about his beloved Yankees and Dodgers, and you could see that same passion and love when it came to his family and friends. I just want to thank Greg, Sharon, Megan, and Dillon for embracing my family and I, and know that we truly feel your loss. To Greg Suddeth, we all love and miss you dearly.
Bojo!
I remember attending Dance Upon Nothing, and it was a thrill to see such dark and unsettling work from the mind of a kind and compassionate man.
It meant a lot when Greg attended one of our shows back in July 2002, his turn to see me in artist capacity. We were absolutely terrible, but his words to me after were: “You are a true talent, young angry man. You and your band give off a synergy that easily fills a room. Good luck to Idle and much success up the road...”
Oh, and another line: “Your future is yours to grab, young man. Use both hands.”
Spoken to me during my formative years, and coming from a man I loved and greatly respected, these words inspired in me the confidence and determination that I carry along with me to this day.
While he is no longer here in the flesh, Greg’s words and memory will linger in our hearts forever.
“A big fat hearty thanks” to the Suddeth gang for all the warm hugs and memories, and for always wishing me the best. I will be thinking of Greg when I stay up late nights reading books or chasing melodies.
Jason Wee
P.S. From his thoughtful email to comfort me after my grandmother’s passing: ”I’ve found over the years that for me time is the only real solace. “
I recently came across emails from Greg, going back a couple of years. They're like little surprises, little treats left behind, and I'll save them forever. Always a welcome, wry slant on things.
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