I forgot that he was a baseballer! Can’t say “baller;” that’s basketball I think. And other stuff. Torn rotator cuff, the nemesis. I tore mine partially in high school, never had surgery, but I wasn’t nearly on a track to pitch pro. Kids, no curve balls! I was told. They will destroy your shoulder. Anyway, but Kurt’s got that movie star face that softens up any scene and pulls eyes onto him. This is so fun. I like your portrayal!
Kurt Russell is one of my all-time favorite actors for all the very reasons you write about in this article. Basically, if he's in it, he alone will make it worth watching even if the plot is pedantic.
I didn't know he was a baseball player. He reminds me of my father, born 1930, played baseball in college and in the rice paddies of South Korea during the war. They called him the Big Right Hander. He, too, aspired to the big leagues, but didn't get there. He continued, however, to see life through the lens of baseball and passed on the love of that game and sports in general to his 7 children. He was a quintessential American man. When I think of him, I often think of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, written to honor the American soldiers of WWII. It really was indeed a great generation. He passed in 2020. Thank you for this. It honors all these wonderful American men.
Your father sounds like a great man. His service to America -- and for raising a thoughtful daughter and six other kids (!) deserves commendation. A love of sports, especially baseball, was instilled in me by my dad, too, along with Kurt Russell. We are blessed with a nation of patriots and men such as your father. Thank you for your kind words and for reading, Kristin. I sincerely appreciate it.
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't seen Captain Ron! I will remedy this soon since I'm chairbound. As always, another great piece, Jenna. When you mentioned it would be about Kurt Russell, I knew it would be!
What a great essay. Loved the subject matter & every word you wrote. Your observations of Kurt Russell’s career is spot on.
Our fellow citizens have been on a bumpy ride. We need your help reminding us that we are AMERICANS. We can do anything. There are still more ‘miracles on ice’ on our horizon.
Thank you & please keep your multi-talented life observations & creative mind flowing.
Thank you, sir! This is too kind of you to say. I'm happy to shine a light on the great people who define a great nation, if only in the tiniest way. I appreciate your readership and support so much.
Captain Ron is one of my favorite comedies - Captain Ron to 12 yr old boy "Get your hands off that...You want a beer, you get your own beer."
What is more American than every so often saying "what the hell," throw caution to the wind and do something that has at best a 25% chance of working out. Mistakes get fixed, but not taking decisive action stays with you forever.
It is in my All-time Top Ten! A movie so close to my heart that I can hardly even think about it without belly laughing. I could probably quote the whole movie by heart. And no one wears an eye patch better!
I was holding an open house in Malibu in the early '70's when Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel walked in. She was enjoying Laugh-In fame; he was an up-and-comer. Their demeanor was similar to every other couple looking for their next home, the '70's updated version of Ozzie & Harriet.
Fantastic work, as always. I love the thesis: 'Kurt Russell exists outside anyone’s expectations.' I’d never thought of him that way, but it makes perfect sense. His X-factor must be how his good looks put him just on the edge of overacting disaster, yet he always manages to avoid it—which only enhances his screen persona. By the way, have you seen The Battered Bastards of Baseball? It’s such a compelling story about his dad’s team. Absolutely great stuff
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Yes, he has a certain ruggedness but not pretty. Worn and lived, I think? I've only seen a tiny bit of that, but aim to see the whole thing. Glad you endorse it!
Another fantastic piece of writing! Your selection of topics is masterful. I'm old enough to remember Kurt's Disney movies. He is a great talent and seems to be a down-to-earth type of guy. Those two concluding clips perfectly sum up why we Americans love our sports. Thx
Thanks, Mark! It's amazing how long he's been in that business but seems unfazed by the trappings of it. I appreciate your support and insightful comments. Thank you, thank you!
Loved, Kurt Russell Hates Commies!! I've been a fan of Him and Goldie forever, and especially loved your insight into his roles and characters. Who can't love Snake Plissken, and my oldest daughter's favorite, "Overboard". His portrayal of Herbie Brooks, made you feel like you knew Herbie, and I can't think of anyone who could've pulled it off any better!!
Every year we have a battle during the Christmas Holidays over our lineup of movies, and which are in the top positions. Of course, it can't be Christmas until Hans Gruber has gone flying off the Nakatomi Plaza Building🎅🎅🎅
My newest favorite, is "Christmas Chronicles" with Kurt, & Goldie at the end!! I truly love this little movie. It's so much fun.
Finally, there's a warm place in my heart for Kurt and Goldie for their class act at the 71st Academy Awards Ceremony, when Martin Scorsese and Robert Deniro presented Elia Kazan with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Many in the audience stayed seated and literally sat on their hands, but Kurt and Goldie stood to honor the great director!!
Thanks for a great article. Kurt evidently does Hate Commies!!!
Gosh, thanks for the kind note, Rick! you have wonderful memories and your daughter is a woman after my own heart with Overboard. I have to stop and watch it if it's on television. And Kurt and Goldie are truly Hollywood's Golden Couple. Thank you for reading and for brightening my day!
“And if that doesn’t give you chills — you Commie!” Haha!
I forgot that he was a baseballer! Can’t say “baller;” that’s basketball I think. And other stuff. Torn rotator cuff, the nemesis. I tore mine partially in high school, never had surgery, but I wasn’t nearly on a track to pitch pro. Kids, no curve balls! I was told. They will destroy your shoulder. Anyway, but Kurt’s got that movie star face that softens up any scene and pulls eyes onto him. This is so fun. I like your portrayal!
Thank you Theo! You always find the small things and bring them into being. I love that.
Kurt Russell is one of my all-time favorite actors for all the very reasons you write about in this article. Basically, if he's in it, he alone will make it worth watching even if the plot is pedantic.
I agree, Jeff. There's a Kurt Russell film for every occasion -- usually the best occasions!
Yep!
I didn't know he was a baseball player. He reminds me of my father, born 1930, played baseball in college and in the rice paddies of South Korea during the war. They called him the Big Right Hander. He, too, aspired to the big leagues, but didn't get there. He continued, however, to see life through the lens of baseball and passed on the love of that game and sports in general to his 7 children. He was a quintessential American man. When I think of him, I often think of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, written to honor the American soldiers of WWII. It really was indeed a great generation. He passed in 2020. Thank you for this. It honors all these wonderful American men.
Your father sounds like a great man. His service to America -- and for raising a thoughtful daughter and six other kids (!) deserves commendation. A love of sports, especially baseball, was instilled in me by my dad, too, along with Kurt Russell. We are blessed with a nation of patriots and men such as your father. Thank you for your kind words and for reading, Kristin. I sincerely appreciate it.
❤️ Kindred spirits!
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't seen Captain Ron! I will remedy this soon since I'm chairbound. As always, another great piece, Jenna. When you mentioned it would be about Kurt Russell, I knew it would be!
You should be ashamed, haha just kidding, mostly. Thanks for the too kind comment!
Brett would probably agree!
Jenna,
What a great essay. Loved the subject matter & every word you wrote. Your observations of Kurt Russell’s career is spot on.
Our fellow citizens have been on a bumpy ride. We need your help reminding us that we are AMERICANS. We can do anything. There are still more ‘miracles on ice’ on our horizon.
Thank you & please keep your multi-talented life observations & creative mind flowing.
Thank you, sir! This is too kind of you to say. I'm happy to shine a light on the great people who define a great nation, if only in the tiniest way. I appreciate your readership and support so much.
That was an excellent expose on Kurt Russell. Great job. Good to see an essay from you .
Thank you David. I appreciate it!
Captain Ron is one of my favorite comedies - Captain Ron to 12 yr old boy "Get your hands off that...You want a beer, you get your own beer."
What is more American than every so often saying "what the hell," throw caution to the wind and do something that has at best a 25% chance of working out. Mistakes get fixed, but not taking decisive action stays with you forever.
Great Fun, thanks Jenna!
It is in my All-time Top Ten! A movie so close to my heart that I can hardly even think about it without belly laughing. I could probably quote the whole movie by heart. And no one wears an eye patch better!
I was holding an open house in Malibu in the early '70's when Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel walked in. She was enjoying Laugh-In fame; he was an up-and-comer. Their demeanor was similar to every other couple looking for their next home, the '70's updated version of Ozzie & Harriet.
This is incredible! I'm glad they left a pleasant impression. Thank you so much for sharing this story with me!
Fantastic work, as always. I love the thesis: 'Kurt Russell exists outside anyone’s expectations.' I’d never thought of him that way, but it makes perfect sense. His X-factor must be how his good looks put him just on the edge of overacting disaster, yet he always manages to avoid it—which only enhances his screen persona. By the way, have you seen The Battered Bastards of Baseball? It’s such a compelling story about his dad’s team. Absolutely great stuff
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Yes, he has a certain ruggedness but not pretty. Worn and lived, I think? I've only seen a tiny bit of that, but aim to see the whole thing. Glad you endorse it!
Long live the snake!
Icon -- Here, here!
Great essay!!!
Thank you, Jim!
Another fantastic piece of writing! Your selection of topics is masterful. I'm old enough to remember Kurt's Disney movies. He is a great talent and seems to be a down-to-earth type of guy. Those two concluding clips perfectly sum up why we Americans love our sports. Thx
Thanks, Mark! It's amazing how long he's been in that business but seems unfazed by the trappings of it. I appreciate your support and insightful comments. Thank you, thank you!
Jenna,
Loved, Kurt Russell Hates Commies!! I've been a fan of Him and Goldie forever, and especially loved your insight into his roles and characters. Who can't love Snake Plissken, and my oldest daughter's favorite, "Overboard". His portrayal of Herbie Brooks, made you feel like you knew Herbie, and I can't think of anyone who could've pulled it off any better!!
Every year we have a battle during the Christmas Holidays over our lineup of movies, and which are in the top positions. Of course, it can't be Christmas until Hans Gruber has gone flying off the Nakatomi Plaza Building🎅🎅🎅
My newest favorite, is "Christmas Chronicles" with Kurt, & Goldie at the end!! I truly love this little movie. It's so much fun.
Finally, there's a warm place in my heart for Kurt and Goldie for their class act at the 71st Academy Awards Ceremony, when Martin Scorsese and Robert Deniro presented Elia Kazan with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Many in the audience stayed seated and literally sat on their hands, but Kurt and Goldie stood to honor the great director!!
Thanks for a great article. Kurt evidently does Hate Commies!!!
God Bless, and Semper Fi from an old Army Guy
Rick Briscoe
Gosh, thanks for the kind note, Rick! you have wonderful memories and your daughter is a woman after my own heart with Overboard. I have to stop and watch it if it's on television. And Kurt and Goldie are truly Hollywood's Golden Couple. Thank you for reading and for brightening my day!