Rosemary’s Baby Doc

Ralph Bellamy. Evil doctor Sapirstein. Fine casting. Finest actor. Greatest man.

Ralph was a father to me. I’ve written of our relationship on other sites. This morning I feel down and he always lightened my glooms.

I met him when I was 16. He and his wife Alice, whom I was equally devoted, were close friends of my parents . So close when my father died they chose his casket .She was a pretty damned good (or considered herself) interior decorator. We as a family often laugh about it. That’s a story for another time.

My first impression. I felt small and intimidated. So tall was he. Firm body. Tanned . Deeply. His voice equally so. White pants, blue tennis shirt, bluer eyes as he welcomed me into their home. I tried to shake his hand. “Enough of that.” He drew me into his arms for a giant hug. The beginning of everlasting.

Story after story. Dinners . Parties in their gracious living room with a floor to ceiling wall to wall window overlooking a valley of thousand twinkling stars including many inside. Sake of name dropping I’ll not .

I was selfish. Always wanted him solo. Especially sitting in his cozy den. Ralph had the comfiest leather chairs. The kind that crinkle when first before settling in . Engaged ? I was enraptured with his presence and tales of his past both personal (some editing ) time on Stage and screen FDR (Sunrise At Campobello) and fellow actors. He was a staunch Democrat. Framed photos with FDR, Eleano

r and Kennedy . He had kind words for Reagan former President SAG. His take on today’s Republican? party and DJT. Ralph was a gentleman by nature, supporter of women and their rights. I can envision his astonished bewilderment and contempt.

I was one if not the last person to visit him in the hospital . Alice was in the outer living area. “He’s been sound asleep, hasn’t spoken or recognized anyone. He’s dying.”I walked in. A male nurse sat beside his bed. He still had the slightest tan . Full head of wavy white hair beautifully combed. I’m bold . Had no qualms other than to look directly and speak equally as I took his hand. “Good afternoon Ralph. I’m here.” Truth. He opened his blue eyes almost as though he knew .

On my way out Alice asked if I’d deliver one of the eulogies when he passed . Honored I accepted. That eve Ralph Rexford Bellamy, age 84 went to the heavens . The next morning I phoned Alice and emotionally reneged my eulogy.

A week later three of my 5 sisters and I were seated in an elaborate building designed for “Hollywood “ notables memorials. The room was filled, I was tense and saddened . Half listened to first eulogy when “Now Jennifer Ward Dudley will speak”

Wholly crap . Alice forgot to take me off the list (or did she) I rose. Walked seemingly forever . Reached the altar . Climbed high stairs to the lecturn . Completely empty of preparedness . Began.

*Photo 1983 Ralph & my son Dudley & me