When I Met McDermott

Way back yonder; in my short stay as a resident of the Twin Cities, I was living w/ a friend from college. He and his girlfriend (another buddy of mine) arrived home one night; having just seen a production of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theatre. The first thing they said to me was, "Do you know who Jarlath Conroy is?"

My eyes widened, and I replied, "Of course!"

Apparently, he was playing Scrooge in the production that evening, and was a member of that season's Guthrie company.

Who is he, you ask?

Well, he played the radio/communications specialist and best friend of helicopter pilot John in my all time favorite film, George A. Romero's Day of the Dead. He played McDermott.

This was, of course, a major big deal for my fan ears to hear. I was unable to make it to the production of A Christmas Carol, but did find a way (thanks to aforementioned roommate's girlfriend and my friend) to see the spring production of Playboy of the Western World. Jarlath had a lead role in this one as well, so I was thrilled to be sitting there; a few brief leaps (not that I tested) from a real live actor from my for real, true to my heart, favorite flick. Day of the Dead was even listed in the program; in his film credits. Surreal and wonderful.

Well, roommate's girlfriend (and my friend), humored me and allowed us to wait around at the "stage door" for his appearance from the dressing room.

Here's how it played out.

He ascended the staircase to the main lobby (after we had waited half an hour); where I was, anxiously awaiting his presence. I approached him, and asked for his autograph (which I still have). I told him that I enjoyed his performance, and the show, and then went on to explain that I also truly appreciated his performance in Day of the Dead. I then babbled about it being my favorite film (to which he replied w/ what I can only describe as "a look"; I'm sure he thought I was putting him on).

The next two moments of the meeting are quite painful for me to recall, so they may be equally disturbing to you. Reader discretion is advised.

(1) I asked that he sign the program w/ "Jarlath Conroy aka McDermott". In the past, when I've met celebrities/actors, etc, I have asked them to sign their real name and their character name...so no exception here. HE ASKED ME HOW TO SPELL MCDERMOTT. Well, I was outwardly accommodating, but inside, I was screaming, "How can you not know how to spell his name?!" Jesus. I was simply horrified by this turn of events. But, it was about to get a lot worse...

(2) I advised him that I was a big fan of Romero (and even way back then, I knew I wanted to work for "the man"), and asked how it was to work with Romero. His response?

"Fine."

My eyes rolled back into my head, steam jetted from my ears, I fell to the ground, throwing my hands to the air and cursing the heavens.

Okay, so that was also inside my head.

There's one of two things that can be taken from this "Fine" reply.
(1) He thought I was a complete nutcase job, and didn't want to carry on w/ me any longer, so despite his absolute love for the Day of the Dead experience, he didn't want to feed me any more information than, "Fine".
(2) He really didn't have a good time on the set of Day of the Dead, and was just trying to be nice.

I prefer the first explanation. So, in the end, I met an actor from my favorite film. However, some of my hope and naivete was lost to the wind; rotting away like so much zombie flesh. I'm now forever cursed with hopes and dreams of working w/ my idol filmmaker and knowing all the while that is might only be..."Fine". Ugh.