Gerry Sundquist

[EllyMack]

Well, if I do - which is actually looking a little more likely now - then I'll let you all know here.

[Gary D.]

Apprently, he played Claudius in The Last Days of Pompeii, but, without going through this rather long tape, I can't recall him. In browsing through IMDb, I noted a 'You Might be Interested. . .' -- and it directed me to an Egyptian film, where he played a captured British soldier.



Anyway, I noted that he did an 'Anna Karenina' and threw himself before a train--an awful way to commit suicide. I would rather take something and listen to Rachmaninoff (sp?) as I passed on.



I found information on Gerry, but I'd like to be directed to a site that has his last picture so I can make a connection to Claudius. I know quite a few people from this 1984 mini-series have died.

[EllyMack]

I do have a picture of him from Pompeii, but it's on the hard drive of my other PC. If you can hang on 'til the weekend, I'll post it for you. I warn you, it's not very flattering, though - he seems to have been rather padded up in the face for the part. I'm sorry, I can neither find nor remember the site I got it from.



According to IMDB, Gerry's last film was Don't Open 'til Christmas, which is available on DVD. He's also particularly sweet in Music Machine. I've managed to get DVD copies of most of his films, but Pompeii is one I can't get hold of. And if anyone knows of any subtitled copies of Alexandria ... Why? or Meetings with Remarkable Men for sale, I'd be really interested.



Think my next buy is going to have to be Passion Flower Hotel, although I suspect it's going to be very cringeworthy (especially as the Kinski woman's in it too ).



His death was particularly tragic when you think that he'd actually kicked the heroin habit, but was still very depressed at the time. As with the case of many suicides, he's reported to have seemed pretty upbeat just before it happened.



Ironically, a much-loved work colleague of mine committed suicide in a similar way at about the same time. We knew the guy had a few personal problems, but had no idea of the extent to which they were troubling him inside. Fifteen years later, when I meet up with other colleagues from those days, we say "Remember M__? If only we'd known." In both cases, so much talent and skill, gone to waste because no-one thought to ask, and these two deaths have given me cause for plenty of reassessment in my own life, I can tell you. I guess that's at least one positive to have come out of it all.

[Lord Brett]

name='EllyMack']

His death was particularly tragic when you think that he'd actually kicked the heroin habit, but was still very depressed at the time. As with the case of many suicides, he's reported to have seemed pretty upbeat just before it happened.



Ironically, a much-loved work colleague of mine committed suicide in a similar way at about the same time. We knew the guy had a few personal problems, but had no idea of the extent to which they were troubling him inside. Fifteen years later, when I meet up with other colleagues from those days, we say "Remember M__? If only we'd known." In both cases, so much talent and skill, gone to waste because no-one thought to ask, and these two deaths have given me cause for plenty of reassessment in my own life, I can tell you. I guess that's at least one positive to have come out of it all.

Bats is probably the best person to comment about this, but from my own understanding (I read around the subject of depression a lot some years ago when my own life and general demenour was going through something of a tailspin) one of the most dangerous periods for someone who has gone through long-term depression or substance abuse is when they have just some out of it.



What has been removed from the person's life (the depression, or addiction or whatever) is so much a part of their personality that often there is nothing to fill the void that it leaves behind for a period afterwards.

[batman]

name='Lord Brett']One of the most dangerous periods for someone who has gone through long-term depression or substance abuse is when they have just some out of it. What has been removed from the person's life (the depression, or addiction or whatever) is so much a part of their personality that often there is nothing to fill the void that it leaves behind for a period afterwards.

Wanna job? Mine's going cheap.



What M'lord said is often true .... also, once many people become resigned to what they perceive as 'the inevitable' their demeanour improves because they have a 'goal' to aim at .... their demise. Another factor is that, when people feel that their mood has lifted they stop taking their medication. This can sometimes have a rebound effect whereby they appear OK for a period but then quickly deteriorate to the point of no return. A lot of people do not fully undertsand that depression is not only a psychological problem, it has a firm physical aspect as well, for which the medication is intended to deal with.

[EllyMack]

name='batman']... they stop taking their medication. This can sometimes have a rebound effect whereby they appear OK for a period but then quickly deteriorate to the point of no return.

And of course, by the time they're screwed up, they're in no position to see (or at least acknowledge) reason. My mum's a depressive, has been for many years. In the mornings, before her ADs kick in, she's a nightmare to be around. I dread to think what she'd be like if she left them off completely.



On another note, Gary D, I said I would post a picture here for you. Unfortunately I seem to have lost it during the last virus attack I had, I'm sorry. If I find it again, I will post it, although like I said, it's not at all flattering to the guy.

[Ali M]

name='Gary D.']Apprently, he played Claudius in The Last Days of Pompeii, but, without going through this rather long tape, I can't recall him. In browsing through IMDb, I noted a 'You Might be Interested. . .' -- and it directed me to an Egyptian film, where he played a captured British soldier.



Anyway, I noted that he did an 'Anna Karenina' and threw himself before a train--an awful way to commit suicide. I would rather take something and listen to Rachmaninoff (sp?) as I passed on.



I found information on Gerry, but I'd like to be directed to a site that has his last picture so I can make a connection to Claudius. I know quite a few people from this 1984 mini-series have died.

Gary D... try this web site http://www.dlc.fi/~dce/tldop.index.html

Go to House of Clodius and you will see Gerry Sundquist. Hope that helps.



Elly, you will like this site as well.

[EllyMack]

Awww, thanks Ali.



Actually, the link you posted doesn't work, but I Googled 'House of Clodius' and found this one, which should work OK.

[batman]

Gerry's wig in those pics would do Burt Reynolds proud.

[hoggers]

name='Mr Flash']Gerry during the making of Don’t Open Till Christmas circa 1984

Any idea who the chap with him is?

[batman]

It looks like that chap who used to be in Brookside playing Harry Cross ... Bill Dean.

[Dame Starry]

name='batman']It looks like that chap who used to be in Brookside playing Harry Cross ... Bill Dean.

Sorry, Bats - whoever that is, it isn't Bill Dean although there is a resemblence; he looks very familiar though.



DS x.

[hoggers]

Apparently it's the producer of DOTC, Dick Randall..

[batman]

name='hoggers']Apparently it's the producer of DOTC, Dick Randall..

Cheers hoggers.

[Gnome]

name='Miss Guided']Well, any photo's or information about Gerry would add to my virtual scrapbook of pre and post teen heart throbs and celebrity crushes, of which Gerry was the main man. How tragic and ever so sad..

Only just caught up with this thread. Info? - Gerry's first starring roles were in the plays Toad of Toad Hall, and Lady Cherrylips' Lover (written by Paul Ryan) when at primary school. The early acclaim he received then marked out acting as an obvious career choice for him, with his combination of looks and extrovert personality.

[EllyMack]

That's interesting. The earliest roles I have to date were in Soldier and Me in 1974, and in a Young Vic production on Macbeth the following year.



There's also an interesting anecdote on his old school website, again testament to his acting ability - St Augustines Grammar School Old Boys - you have to find the section that relates to the punishment book and scroll down to an entry by one Terence Birch.

[Gnome]

These really were his first roles, in school plays just for the internal audience, but it was here he found a niche which suited his 'Look at me!' attitude, earning him praise and attention. He was always given decent roles, not the back end of a horse or the hamster that gets stuffed into the teapot (The Mad Hatter's Tea Party was another one). He soon followed up by joining Stretford Childrens' Theatre, leading to 'proper' roles and the TV work. He also had a role in Guys'nDolls - selling clothes in the Manchester store of the same name, before things took off for him!

[Gnome]

I don't know if this photo of Gerry is widely around, but it was used in one of the newspaper promo articles for his brother's book in 1997, so I take it to be quite a late one. The lights are on but... Still, enjoy.

[EllyMack]

I will indeed. That is one gorgeous, moody photo.



Is his brother still with us? I read he had a stroke some time ago but have heard nothing since.

[Gnome]

After looking around I suspect he's not, but I lost contact with the family when their mother, Brenda, passed on.