It seems odd to write of having a "good time" at a memorial service. I mean, you're in a room filled with people who are only there because of the death of a loved one.
That said, we — his friends — had a good time last Thursday night at the memorial service for Lennie Weinrib. It was fascinating because the speakers ran the gamut — from a gentleman named Tony Monaco who gave Lennie his first acting job…to actor Alan Oppenheimer, a longtime friend who visited Lennie in Chile just two weeks before Lennie died. Sid and Marty Krofft spoke about their long association with Lennie, which even predated their first TV series, H.R. Pufnstuf. (Lennie co-wrote that show and did half the male voices, including that of the title character.) Billie Hayes, who played Witchiepoo on that show, talked about Lennie. Jackie Joseph, who appeared with Lennie in the famous Billy Barnes Revues, talked about Lennie. (Jackie was there with her ex-husband, Ken Berry, who was also in some of those shows.)
Our pal was also remembered by producers (Bonny Dore) and writers (Paul Pumpian) and directors (Wally Burr) and actors (Eddie Carroll and Edie McClurg). Gary Owens spoke eloquently of his friend, Lennie. I suspect Gary could describe a cockfight and sound eloquent but in this case, his affection and respect for Lennie came through loud 'n' clear. A number of Lennie's other fellow voice artists were also present, including June Foray, Bob Bergen, Gregg Berger, Greg Berg, Phil Proctor and Neil Ross. But of course, the most important speaker was our hostess for the evening — and a talented vocal performer, herself — Lennie's first daughter, Linda.
(The Weinrib bloodline seems to have talent chromosomes in it. Linda's kids are following the tradition and Lennie's two daughters in Chile, Grace and Heidi, seem to have it, too. Grace is a successful painter. Heidi has a fine singing career going and was recently a finalist on a Chilean program not unlike American Idol.)
Linda told a wonderful story about her father that I'd heard but forgotten. When Lennie enrolled at U.C.L.A., he was pursuing what was then his goal in life: To become a doctor. He had already begun medical training when, one day, he met a fellow student — a red-headed lady who was there to study acting. She invited him to see her in a play and he did. It was that evening, Linda says, that her father had an epiphany. As she put it, "He realized that you could also make people feel better by making them laugh." A few days later, Lennie switched majors and not only joined the red-headed lady in many of her classes but he became her scene partner, often performing with her.
The red-headed lady couldn't make it to the memorial service but she sent a lovely floral arrangement and a note about how much Lennie had meant to her. Linda didn't find out it was from her until after the ceremony so she couldn't mention it. But if you were there, you might be interested to know that the biggest bouquet was from Carol Burnett.
Before I forget, I'd like to thank Stuart Shostak, Vince Waldron and Earl Kress for helping me whip up a video overview of Lennie's TV and movie career. I'm thanking them the best way you can thank people on the Internet: I've linked their names to their websites.
When I got home — and it took a while because no one wanted to leave — I found an e-mail from a friend of Lennie's. It said, in essence, "I'm not going to be there because memorial services are about death." I suppose some are…but this one was about life. It was a life that ended too soon, true…but it was still quite a life. I hope you heard what we all said, Lennie. I'm not sure if you were in the room but I know you're still somewhere on the Internet.