Michael J. Pollard (Cousin Virgil) 1939-2019 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-22-2019, 01:14 PM

https://tinyurl.com/trso6pb

I’ve just heard some sad news. I’ve been told we’ve lost character actor, MICHAEL J POLLARD. It was a pleasure getting to know Mike after my interview with him at the Million Dollar Theatre back in 2015. I had organized a screening of “Bonnie & Clyde” and although Mike seemed rather shy on that stage, you couldn’t keep your eyes off him.

We got to know each other after that. He was quite a character without knowing it. He walked EVERYWHERE and never repeated his stories because he had so many. The only thing he repeated was his love for Turner Classic Movies. And you could never call him after 7:30 because he’d be watching Jeopardy. We would have lunch at the La Brea Bakery and I would just sit and listen to his encounters with Marilyn Monroe, Warren Beatty, Janis Joplin, Oliver Reed, Sharon Tate, Robert Redford, and his accounts from his remarkable career in countless memorable TV shows and movies.

One night at Musso's, Mike and I recited GOODFELLAS line for line. He lived life on his terms. A gentle rebel. A wild pony. A timid squirrel in the park. That was Michael. I'll miss the calls on his flip phone and that cute little laugh.

This was that interview I conducted with Michael the night I met him. It was one of the more bizarre interviews I’ve done. I’d expect nothing less from Michael. Farewell my friend. You were an original.

(And here’s some interesting trivia. Mike helped Steve Winwood come up with the name “Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” for the album and song. And the “J" in Michael J. Fox was in honor of Mr. Pollard.

There is no official obit online as of yet. But his dear friend Kevin Kelly posted this about 19 hours ago.....
“I’m shaking my head. My friend MICHAEL passed away. (The actor, “Michael J. Pollard”) I thought he’d get better after he was hospitalized. i'm so sick, so sad. I’d just talked to him on the phone the other night. I made him laugh. He made me laugh. He was a real pal. A little fella, yeah, but not one to be messed with. He had a quick left hook right outta Newark, NJ. A most interesting actor of great charm. Worked with Bridgette Bardot. Told me he fell in love with her. Always found amusement and wonder in the moment, always found himself at the center of the universe- alive, spontaneous, free. His genius, was his alone. That’s why you couldn’t take your eyes offa him. He was his own kind of character. He couldnt help but steal the scene (usually without saying a word). When we walked around town, he’d always stop at a Catholic Church and if it was open he’d go inside to light a candle and say a prayer for the departed, make the sign of the cross, bow, and make an attempt at genuflecting. He was a light that shined down on us in his time. I don’t know what song Dylan is singing for you tonight Mike but tonight it’s your song, buddy. I love you, Mike, and I’ll always miss ya and I’ll always think the world of you. Good night”

vitoscotti · 11-24-2019, 07:41 AM

MJP was perfectly cast for cousin Virgil. Great episode. Very creepy actor. I remember him in a couple of Alfred Hitchcock Presents where he was even creepier.

Samme · 11-25-2019, 07:43 PM

He was strange but interesting. If you gotta be strange, that's the way to go. I've read his acting really threw Lucille Ball for a loop when he did her show.
I would have liked to have seen that being filmed. In the 60s he was married to Beth Howland of Alice. Her acting was strange too, but I liked his a lot better. Michael J. Fox was a fan of Pollard and added the J to his own name. Pollard did things his own way. That deserves credit.

Hazel Anyday · 11-27-2019, 11:35 PM

Yep, he was one weird dude. Off and out there and more than a bit odd. But he was interesting, I remember him most from his appearance on Lost In Space.

11-22-2019, 01:14 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Michael J. Pollard (Cousin Virgil) 1939-2019 https://tinyurl.com/trso6pb I’ve just heard some sad news. I’ve been told we’ve lost character actor, MICHAEL J POLLARD. It was a pleasure getting to know Mike after my interview with him at the Million Dollar Theatre back in 2015. I had organized a screening of “Bonnie & Clyde” and although Mike seemed rather shy on that stage, you couldn’t keep your eyes off him. We got to know each other after that. He was quite a character without knowing it. He walked EVERYWHERE and never repeated his stories because he had so many. The only thing he repeated was his love for Turner Classic Movies. And you could never call him after 7:30 because he’d be watching Jeopardy. We would have lunch at the La Brea Bakery and I would just sit and listen to his encounters with Marilyn Monroe, Warren Beatty, Janis Joplin, Oliver Reed, Sharon Tate, Robert Redford, and his accounts from his remarkable career in countless memorable TV shows and movies. One night at Musso's, Mike and I recited GOODFELLAS line for line. He lived life on his terms. A gentle rebel. A wild pony. A timid squirrel in the park. That was Michael. I'll miss the calls on his flip phone and that cute little laugh. This was that interview I conducted with Michael the night I met him. It was one of the more bizarre interviews I’ve done. I’d expect nothing less from Michael. Farewell my friend. You were an original. (And here’s some interesting trivia. Mike helped Steve Winwood come up with the name “Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” for the album and song. And the “J" in Michael J. Fox was in honor of Mr. Pollard. There is no official obit online as of yet. But his dear friend Kevin Kelly posted this about 19 hours ago..... “I’m shaking my head. My friend MICHAEL passed away. (The actor, “Michael J. Pollard”) I thought he’d get better after he was hospitalized. i'm so sick, so sad. I’d just talked to him on the phone the other night. I made him laugh. He made me laugh. He was a real pal. A little fella, yeah, but not one to be messed with. He had a quick left hook right outta Newark, NJ. A most interesting actor of great charm. Worked with Bridgette Bardot. Told me he fell in love with her. Always found amusement and wonder in the moment, always found himself at the center of the universe- alive, spontaneous, free. His genius, was his alone. That’s why you couldn’t take your eyes offa him. He was his own kind of character. He couldnt help but steal the scene (usually without saying a word). When we walked around town, he’d always stop at a Catholic Church and if it was open he’d go inside to light a candle and say a prayer for the departed, make the sign of the cross, bow, and make an attempt at genuflecting. He was a light that shined down on us in his time. I don’t know what song Dylan is singing for you tonight Mike but tonight it’s your song, buddy. I love you, Mike, and I’ll always miss ya and I’ll always think the world of you. Good night”

11-27-2019, 11:35 PM	#4
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Yep, he was one weird dude. Off and out there and more than a bit odd. But he was interesting, I remember him most from his appearance on Lost In Space.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

11-24-2019, 07:41 AM	#2
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	MJP was perfectly cast for cousin Virgil. Great episode. Very creepy actor. I remember him in a couple of Alfred Hitchcock Presents where he was even creepier.

11-25-2019, 07:43 PM	#3
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 676	He was strange but interesting. If you gotta be strange, that's the way to go. I've read his acting really threw Lucille Ball for a loop when he did her show. I would have liked to have seen that being filmed. In the 60s he was married to Beth Howland of Alice. Her acting was strange too, but I liked his a lot better. Michael J. Fox was a fan of Pollard and added the J to his own name. Pollard did things his own way. That deserves credit.