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One particular family Christmas celebration in the ‘70s stands out.  Jonathan invited fellow Love of Life co-star Ray Wise to the home of my aunt and uncle (my mother’s sister) that year.  Mr. Wise was very young and at the beginning of his professional film and television career when Jonathan introduced him to all of us that day, but he would later go on to become quite famous in his own right by starring in such popular films as Swamp Thing, Robocop, Rising Sun, and the hit television series Twin Peaks. 

I used to call him ‘Uncle Jonathan’ or ‘Jerry’ as he was known affectionately in our family by his nickname.  Some family members were quick to correct me and state that he was my cousin not my uncle.  Regardless—uncle or cousin—he inspired me to be an actor at a young age.  Along with his regular acting credits, he also has two short cameos in one of my all-time favorite comedy films Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.  Marco Dark—the main character of my novel To Sleep in the Ground—uses the pseudonym of ‘Jonathan Ascott,’ which I wrote in honor of him. 

We reconnected after many years on a trip I made in college to see my mother who lived in New York City briefly in 1995.  Jonathan had officially retired from acting by this time, and we saw some of the usual NYC sights together as well as a matinee performance of An Inspector Calls at the Royale Theatre.  In the cast was Sian Phillips whom I was familiar with from her role in the 1984 sci-fi film Dune.  We talked about my playwriting for some of the theatre classes I had taken the year before.  One of my plays had already been produced by—and for—one of my theatre classes, but I was interested in getting my plays produced professionally and asked Jonathan for his input.  After all, I was in New York.  Why not?  And I had a cousin there who had been successful on Broadway to boot! 

I saw Jonathan again in January of 1997 not long after I graduated college while he was visiting his mother in Louisiana.  I was just starting a new chapter of my life after graduation (in more ways than one) and needed some guidance.  We took a nice walk through the quiet neighborhood where one of my relatives lived.  I appreciated the sage advice that he shared with me on that walk, and his wisdom has stayed with me ever since.  That was sadly the last time that I saw Jonathan, although we corresponded by letter after that in late 1999 just before I moved to Los Angeles to attempt my professional acting career.  That was the last contact that I had with him whatsoever, but my mother stayed in touch with him periodically and kept me updated over the years.  I had intended to travel to New York to visit him after his trip to Louisiana in ’97, but my finances at the time did not allow it and I eventually got caught up in the post-college rat race.  Lousy excuse, I know.                   

Jonathan’s soul departed this world for the ethereal realm on September 17, 2008, in New York City.  He would have been 100 years old today.  I hope that he has been reunited with his parents and brother and other members of our family who have passed on before and since.  I regret not having spent more time with him—particularly toward the end of his life—but as with everything, life leads us down different paths at various times.  I think of him often and remember him fondly.  His spirit and memory live on in my heart, and his acting legacy will continue to thrive in his stage performances and roles on film and television for generations to come.  That is the legacy of an actor.  It is the legacy of life.  It is the legacy of my cousin Jonathan.

I encourage you to check out these links to Jonathan’s Internet Movie Database page and his Internet Broadway Database page:

My mother, Jonathan, and I in NYC in May of 1995.
My mother, Jonathan, and I in NYC in May of 1995

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