Richard Farnsworth's last hurrah...

Most people were not aware that Richard Farnsworth knew that he was dying of Lukemia while he was filming "The Straight Story". If you watch the film again with that in mind, it's amazingly moving- and almost like Dick is simply making peace with his own life during many of the incredible monologues in the film. Only David Lynch and a half-dozen very close friends knew how difficult it was for Dick (both physically and emotionally) to show up for filming every day for months, no matter how bad the pain of the disease was making him feel.

He was a tremendous person in real life. With most actors, there's an image and then there's the real person. Dick Farnsworth was in real life exactly like the Richard Farnsworth in films- wise, quiet, humorous, remarkably kind, humble, and just an extremely nice man. Each hour spent with him was like a week on the perfect vacation- calming, inspiring, fun, and something you want to do as often as possible.

(Notes: Another little known fact is that Dick was named "Outstanding New Mexican" by the state of NM while he was in Iowa filming "The Straight Story", but it was decided that he was too ill to make the trip back to NM to receive the award, and then fly back to Iowa to continue shooting. I suggested that he film an acceptance there in Iowa, and then ask his NM friend, Wilfred Brimley, to accept the award for him and introduce the clip. That's what was done, but most people didn't know the real reason behind it.

Considering the situation, Richard Farnsworth friends and family were especially hoping for him to win the Oscar for Male Lead, for which he was nominated for the role of Alvin Straight. However, Kevin Spacey won for his role in "American Beauty", so Dick passed away without having an Oscar on his mantle.)