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Actor Brian Dennehy claimed for years that he served a five-year tour as a Marine in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action. In reality, Dennehy’s only Vietnam “action” was on-screen in “A Rumor of War”, in which he portrayed a Marine gunnery sergeant. While Dennehy did serve in the Marines, it was not in Vietnam; his only “combat duty” was playing football in Okinawa in 1962.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fake-war-stories-exposed/
Is it “tragic grandeur” to repeatedly lie about serving in Vietnam in order to get acting gigs?
He was a good actor and he appeared likeable.
I appreciate his work.
But, I did not know the guy. I really didn’t care to know the guy—he wasn’t in my life.
Too bad he is dead. But a lot of other people I did not know, and did not care about died the other day too.
He played Ken McElroy in the TV movie “In Broad Daylight,” about the vigilante execution of a town bully in Skidmore, Missouri by outraged townspeople. He was perfect as the overbearing, thuggish brute who got what was coming to him, even though he thought he was invincible.
I have a book in my study written by B. G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley. The book is Stolen Valor. It’s signed by B.G. I bought it from Jug when he was peddling the books from the back of his car. He didn’t think much of Brian Dennehy.
Sorry I care more about the store stockers and truck drivers and those in the medical field that actually serve a purpose, then I do about an actor.
I agree with your comments about Dennehy’s acting abilities. His lies about multiple tours in VietNam, wounded (Purple Heart), heroism, etc. just sort of puts him in the same catagory as Senator Richard Blumenthal (from article linked below}...
“Richard Blumenthal’s service would have been sufficiently honorable, and occasioned no comment, had he not chosen to exaggerate and distort it — not once, but repeatedly.”
I served for 4 years in the Marine Corps during the VietNam War(1970-1974), but was never “In-Country” nor have I ever claimed to be. My oldest brother did serve “In-Country” as a Marine and was awarded the Purple Heart (further reference: PANEL 52W, LINE 32 OF THE WALL and link below).
I invite each to read the linked sources.
https://dailycaller.com/2010/10/05/richard-blumenthal-lied-and-it-should-matter/
https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/48578/SAMUEL-T-SMITH-JR/
Eagerly went to see Dennehey when he was cast in Death of a Salesman on Broadway.
Attention must be paid!
Boy was he great in that.