The day we KringleQuesters have long feared would happen has finally come: Our beloved Patch is no more. Dudley Moore passed away at 11 am Eastern time, on the morning of March 27th, 2002. Cause of death: pneumonia complications related to the degenerative, inoperable brain disorder known as PSP: progressive supranuclear palsy. PSP is similar to and is often more severe than, but should not be confused with, Parkinson's disease. The early symptoms of both PSP and Parkinson's, however, are the same: shaking hands; stiffened muscles; difficulty to speak, maintain walking balance, swallow, or even move from one point to another. At the time of his death, Dudley had been undergoing outpatient rehabilitation at the Kessler Center at West Orange, New Jersey.
In the original statement he issued on September 29th, 1999, in which he took his PSP diagnosis public, Dudley commented, in part:
"I understand that one person in 100,000 suffers from this disease; and I am also aware that there are 100,000 members of my union, the Screen Actors Guild, who are working every day. I think, therefore, that it is in some way considerate of me that I have taken on this rare disease for myself, thus protecting the remaining 99,999 SAG members from [suffering a similar] fate."
Santa Claus: The Movie fans, we invite you to e-mail us your condolences, at pirate1_power@hotmail.com, blackbeardian@yahoo.com or blackwolfmmi@aol.com. Share with us your memories of our favorite elf! Also, if you wish to learn more about PSP, click here to visit the website for the nonprofit Society for PSP, whose Dudley Moore Research Fund was initiated two years ago, for the purpose of promoting education and research dealing with PSP. The Society now seeks to raise at least $5,000,000 by the end of the current fiscal year, so that its efforts may be furthered toward solving the PSP mystery.
The heart-rendering tale of his struggle made the front page of the November 15th, 1999 New York Daily News; then, four days later, Dudley was interviewed by Barbara Walters for ABC News' 20/20 Friday! The segment, which also featured pianist/housewife Rena Fruchter and her family, plus appearances by Dudley's Arthur co-star, Liza Minnelli, and Blake Edwards, who directed Dudley, Julie Andrews (Mrs. Edwards) and Bo Derek in 10, explored in detail the circumstances of Dudley's condition; and how he struggled to wage this incredible fight for his life.
That battle, along with the rest of Dudley's life story, was profiled during the week of December 4th, 1999, as A&E's Biography presented "Dudley Moore: The Pursuit of Happiness," narrated by Harry Smith, and produced for Biography by ABC News.
Shortly after Dudley's 20/20 Friday segment was rerun in the summer of 2000, Dudley compiled and produced a CD containing some of his previously unreleased musical material. Proceeds from all sales of this new CD will be donated to the Society for PSP's Dudley Moore Research Fund.
In early November 2000, Dudley made his final television appearance on the BBC. During the emotionally-charged conversation, Dudley lamented: "I did get angry, but there's not much point in being angry. There's always this feeling: 'Why did it hit me?' And I can't make peace with it because I know I'm going to die from it."
But at least, the world gave Dudley time to enjoy one last moment of happiness. On April 16th, 2001, the non-profit Music for All Seasons honored Dudley on his 66th --- and, as it turned out, his final --- birthday with a gala celebration at New York's immortal Carnegie Hall. Lauren Bacall, Chevy Chase, Christopher Cross, John Dankworth, Bo Derek, Jill Eikenberry, Eric Idle, Amy Irving, Dame Cleo Laine, Robert Mann (late of the Juilliard String Quartet), Mary Tyler Moore, Tony Randall, Ann Reinking and Barbara Walters were among the many artists and musicians who came together to toast his career and achievements. Julie Andrews and Michael Caine were the event co-chairs; and the proceeds from the event benefited Music for All Seasons, as well as the Dudley Moore Research Fund for PSP. KringleQuest.com thanks those who participated in this memorable night of celebration and understanding.
Then, on June 15, 2001, Dudley Moore was placed in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, in recognition of his various contributions to the comedic, motion picture and classical and popular music fields. Dudley received the Royal Citation at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace the subsequent weekend. The occasion marked Dudley's final public appearance.
During Dudley's last days, he watched all the news stories concerning the recent wedding of his Arthur and Arthur 2 costar, Liza Minnelli, to producer David Gest, held at Fifth Avenue's spectacular Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, the former home of the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Then he, along with the rest of the world, watched the 74th Annual Academy Awards --- and saw history being made where he had once made his own history. It was his last glimpse of the Hollywood he so dearly loved.
Now, click here for Part II of our remembrance.
