Ned Beatty was a friend of mine, especially in the 1980s and 90s, when I was a film student in Los Angeles and after I had moved back home to Toronto. In the late 80s I made a short film there. Ned found his way on a ferry to the city island off season, and managed to corral someone to open up a tourist tram so that they could find where we were filming. Imagine our surprise as he rode into our shot. My crew, who did not know I knew him, were thrilled.
Like many of the era, the 16mm independent film got a late evening airing on CBC, and remained my only one. But Ned will continue to surprise many people for many years to come with his capacity for edge and his dream-filled positivity.