Wendie Jo Sperber is mostly known for her role in the Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari television show Bosom Buddies, and although she was quite good in that short-lived series, it's her work in her very first film that I believe really stands for the star that she should have been.
Her performance alone in Robert Zemeckis comedy from 1978, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, is living proof of the comic gift that she possessed. Other comedies came her way, like 1941, Used Cars and Back to the Future, but the roles were smaller and she just never caught on with the movie-going public.
Part Gilda Radner, part Vivian Vance, Wendie Jo Sperber should have been the female comedy sensation of the 1980's, but like so many talented performers before and after her, it just wasn't in the cards.
In 2005, after a long and courageous battle with Cancer, Wendie Jo Sperber passed away at the young age of 47. Her TV shows and movies are still around and are worth a look, but if you can, check out her work in I Wanna Hold Your Hand. I think you'll see for yourself what I am talking about.
Her performance alone in Robert Zemeckis comedy from 1978, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, is living proof of the comic gift that she possessed. Other comedies came her way, like 1941, Used Cars and Back to the Future, but the roles were smaller and she just never caught on with the movie-going public.
Part Gilda Radner, part Vivian Vance, Wendie Jo Sperber should have been the female comedy sensation of the 1980's, but like so many talented performers before and after her, it just wasn't in the cards.
In 2005, after a long and courageous battle with Cancer, Wendie Jo Sperber passed away at the young age of 47. Her TV shows and movies are still around and are worth a look, but if you can, check out her work in I Wanna Hold Your Hand. I think you'll see for yourself what I am talking about.
I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND is such a fabulous movie. Thanks for reminding me of it. I think I'll write about it next week. Hopefully I can find a copy to watch. Wendie Jo was wonderful in anything she did.
ReplyDeleteShe was so talented. She guest starred on an episode of "Will & Grace" and had enough screen time time to make a memorable impression against one of television's most talented casts. She was definitely gone far too soon. The right role would have made her a star.
ReplyDeleteShe was SO CUTE. I know she weighed a little too much for the Hollywood gatekeepers, maybe also came off as a little too Jewish for middle America (although I've never been sure if that's really a thing, since most antisemitism coming from Middle America is more focused on ridiculous conspiracy theories than any racist reactions to traditional Semitic features), but the first time I saw her on screen she just seemed so fun and full of life how could anyone not want to just spend all their time with her?
ReplyDeletePeter Scolari's character not even trying to hook up with her (when she basically threw it on him) was the single most annoying thing about Bosom Buddies, which otherwise was a surprisingly heartfelt and often laugh out loud funny show that I think would have clicked with audiences if they hadn't saddled it with a pathetic premise which they abandoned as quickly as possible. Even Donna Dixon was funny, and she was essentially eye candy from the beginning.