Robert Goulet: Another Fond Memory for Us All to Remember

I turned on the nightly news after dinner last night, to catch up on what I had been missing in the world, since earlier that morning. It's always a crap shoot, if something will grab me and I never know until the news story unfolds, what that grabber will be.

Last night, the news spot that grabbed me was, "Robert Goulet, Dies at 73". The segment was about twenty seconds long. That was all the network felt he deserved, before moving on to more newsworthy events, after a commercial break.

Robert Goulet was a part of my past, like Joey Bishop, Lucille Ball, "The Rat Pack", Judy Garland and almost every other star that may have been present, at one of "Dean Martin's, Celebrity Roasts".

I am talking about an era that is fading, much like "Tara" faded, in "Gone With The Wind". It's a time in television history, that will never be seen again, except in old reruns on cable. Most of these celebrities are gone now, or leaving us fast. Time will do that.

Goulet got his start on the Broadway musical stage, coming to light in the early 60s. After stardom, decades later, Goulet found his way back to his theater roots. This was where Bob was most comfortable, on the stage plying his craft.

Robert Goulet may never have reached the star quality of Sinatra and his crowd and I don't believe he cared. Bob was too busy having fun with his life and career to worry over fame.

It was because of this quality Goulet had that he shined for many of us, as a true professional. Bob was never afraid of being himself and letting his hair fall down, so we could all see it, as it fell.

I first remember Mr. Goulet, popping up on the old "Ed Sullivan Show", Sunday nights. He would sing a song, from some Broadway musical, his hair all slicked back, on our black and white TV. Mom would swoon, "Oh, what a man." while my father squirmed uncomfortably in his easy chair.

A singer, a Broadway musical star. A frequent guest on "The Ed Sullivan Show", then as a regular guest on all the variety shows and programs of that era.

Goulet had a suave, self effacing wit, that charmed the TV audience and kept him busy, for most of his career. Even my dad began taking to his dry wit and style.

During the 60s and into the 70s, Goulet had recorded over a dozen albums to his credit, performed in nightclubs throughout the country and began appearing in several TV shows regularly, as a guest star.

His public couldn't get enough of him. For a while, I could not turn the TV dial, without Bob showing up on someone's show.

I was especially fond of catching Goulet, as a guest on the old "Mike Douglas Show". Mike always gave him enough rope to hang himself with, yet it was the host who usually ended up on the end of the rope.

Also, a frequent guest on "The Merv Griffin Show", Bob never failed to have Merv and other guests, in stitches over Goulet's, personal antidotes.

I especially enjoyed his movie roles in the 80s. "Naked Gun 2" and "Scrooged" were two of the best vehicles for Goulet's comedic style. Goulet was not below stealing scenes with his ad-libs, for a few surprise yuks. Often, the scenes were left in the final cuts.

Into the 90s and more recently, Robert Goulet was back again doing theater. The theater and being a part of a touring troupe, were his real passion. Whatever city, whatever the play Goulet was in; it was always to a sold out crowd.

Robert Goulet is no longer with us now. I am sure he will be missed, in much the same way I will miss him, now. I felt much the same way when Joey Bishop left us, moments ago.

Mr. Goulet was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, while waiting for a possible lung transplant, when he passed away in Los Angeles, yesterday.

Robert Goulet had a very full life and seemed to live it the way he wanted to live it; on his own terms.

I am sure, one of the cable networks will put together a Robert Goulet, tribute, sometime soon. I will watch it when it airs, because he is a part of my past. It will hurt some, because it is also a bittersweet reminder to me; all things must pass. I just wish, time would slow down for a moment, so I can catch my breath.