Dudley Moore Dead at 66

Dudley Moore. Photo courtesy Knowledge Seeker

March 28 -- Dudley Moore, the comic star of Arthur and 10, died in his New Jersey home Wednesday morning after a long struggle with a degenerative disease. He was 66.

Moore had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and incurable brain disorder similar to Parkinson's disease. In the last years of his life, he was in great pain, gradually losing control of his body until even simple movements, like swallowing, became difficult.

Still, in his debilitated state, he used his celebrity to shed light on PSP and the estimated 20,000 Americans who struggle with the illness.

"I know very well what is happening to me," he told ABCNEWS' Barbara Walters in one of his final interviews, in June 2000. "I just want them to know that I am going through this disease as well as I can."

An Unlikely Star

Moore is best remembered as the drunken playboy in Arthur who offers to give up his fortune to marry a waitress (Liza Minnelli) against his family's wishes. The role showed Moore's potential as a comic with pathos.

Sadly, Moore said that many friends and fans mistook him for his Arthur character when his illness first caused his speech to slur. "It's amazing that Arthur has invaded my body to the point that I have become him," he said. "But that's the way people look at it."

Even from the start, Moore's career seemed like a long shot. He was born in East London with a clubfoot that stunted his growth. As an adult, he stood 5 feet 2 ½ inches.

He went on to study music at Oxford, where he met his future partner Peter Cook, along with other performers with whom he formed Beyond the Fringe, a comedy troupe best described as a precursor to Monty Python's Flying Circus.

One of Moore's celebrated contributions to the show was his impersonation of the pianist Dame Myra Hess, playing a bombastic version of "Colonel Bogey's March" that he couldn't seem to end.

'I Would Love to Do Serious Roles'

The Moore-Cook team appeared on TV and records before making their screen debut in 1966 in The Wrong Box.

First published at ABC News, March 28, 2002

Album review: ENDORPHIN - AM : PM

COLUMBIA (Sony Music) 5034822000

Review copy supplied by Abels Music, Canberra

Reviewed by Tony Magee

As I was grooving around my office listening to this CD and thinking of the words I might use to describe it and recommend it to you, it occurred to me that the act of grooving was happening whilst listening to the “AM” disc. What’s wrong with a little daytime dancing I thought? Nothing!

Then listening to the PM disc, I discovered it to be more laid back. So I might suggest that the “AM” disc is actually also very suitable for night clubbing and hip early evening vibes, and the PM disc is for much later, when things start to mellow and the atmosphere requires “mood”.

Yes, this is a two CD set and represents very good value for money at a retail price of $31.00.

Devised, produced, engineered and mixed by Eric Chapus, Endorphin AM:PM delivers twelve tracks on AM and ten tracks on PM, all totally self contained, but also collectively melding into a sort of musical journey and story. Very danceable and very “now”, this double album would suit funky bars, nightclubs and any “hip” joints.

Chapus has also engaged some highly talented supporting artists, including singers Luke Hannigan, Jimmy Little, Tyrone Noonan and Abi Tucker, with guest soprano saxophonist Fiona Burnett and guitarist Jay Mogis. Something for everyone!

There is an “explicit language” warning on the cover, which amounts to one track that I noticed with the “f” word, so perhaps avoid playing at the Ritz Carlton. Otherwise, enjoy!

First published in Restaurant and Catering magazine, March 2002