This is one of my favorite scenes in Apollo 13. I love how almost shame-faced Paxton’s character is when he admits to Jim Lovell (Hanks) that his wife is pregnant again. Like: “Ooops.” He’s an embarrassed grade-school kid in that moment, and it’s a wonderful contrast to the image of him (also true) as an heroic macho astronaut. The scene is also one of those rare scenes – almost unheard of actually – where men deal with one another in a personal and care-taking tender way. Hanks hugs him to keep him warm, yes, but STILL. It’s an intimate and caring act. Raw and personal. It’s a different kind of relating to one another that goes on in this scene. These two characters are not the hugging type. Have they ever hugged before? No way! They’re both slightly tentative about it. But it’s gotta be done. It’s lovely work from both of them.
RIP Bill Paxton. I can’t believe it!
oh, no! NO! This is so unexpected and sad.
True Lies was on permanent repeat when I was a kid so my favourite Paxton moment isn’t quite as classy as yours. His performance when Arnie’s test driving the Corvette is pure 100% Grade A Sleazebag: “What are we talking about here? Pussy, right?” He was SO FUNNY!
He was so great in True Lies!! Hilarious. Jim Beaver wrote a really touching remembrance on his FB page.
This is such a shock!
I’m another Paxton fan. He was great as obnoxious comic relief in movies like Weird Science and Aliens. I also really enjoyed him in Frailty (interestingly enough his character reminds me a bit of John Winchester on Supernatural). It might not be a great movie but it really made me think.
It’s sad to lose him too soon.
He was just so wonderful. He could do comedic and he could do serious. He could do really broad characters and also more subtle realistic characters.
I know a couple of people who have worked with him – as guest spots on Big Love – or smaller parts in movies where he was the star – and their tributes to him have been so touching – and also so revelatory. How stars treat their guest spots and character actors around them says a lot – says everything – about who they are as people. He made everyone feel welcome, and he was very into the collaborative aspect of film-making.
I’m very sad about this one. Such a young man.
Damn. Great, underrated actor. A Simple Plan is probably my favorite performance of his, but there were so many. He wasn’t afraid to look dumb or silly. But there was an underlying sincerity in everything he did as well.
You wrote recently about “The Method”, (really interesting stuff) and what stood out to me was how every actor brings themselves to the role. His sincerity onscreen was, I guess, just a manifestation of his personality off-screen. And Frailty, which he directed as well as starred in, is an overlooked masterpiece. RIP
“This is a Persian Missile Chip.” – Kelly LeBrock
“It’s Chet. And I didn’t think it was a whale’s dick, honey.” – Bill Paxton
Weird Science, 1985
Simon: Hey, you got the wrong guy! My name’s Simon! Just let me go. There’s no need to kill me. I haven’t seen your…
[Harry and Gib remove their masks]
Simon: face. No, no, no I didn’t see it, I didn’t see it! [realizes that it is Harry] Oh, it’s you! Hey, you still interested in that ‘Vette at all?
-True Lies, 1994
Todd – I haven’t seen Frailty. Thank you for the rec!
It is freaky and disturbing, be warned. ..
I love freaky and disturbing!
I’m was so shocked and saddened by his death. I’ve seen him in numerous movies, and I thought he was wonderful in Big Love. It took a really good actor to make me feel in any way sympathetic towards his character, but I did. Especially seeing his backstory. He will be so missed.
I so agree about Big Love!
I also felt that he often played very entertaining second bananas – the wild boys who added color to a larger narrative. and he was so good at that! In Apollo 13, he was the astronaut who got sicker and sicker as the days progressed. A beautiful part, without maybe the flash of Kevin Bacon’s part, or the Hero that Saves the Day of Gary Sinise – but so so important.
I loved Big Love because he got to step center stage in a really sustained way. It was so fun to see him being the center of the action in this totally unique story.