Am most saddened to hear of the death of the actor Gerrit Graham. He burns up the screen so fabulously in an all-time favourite film of mine, Phantom of the Paradise, that I can’t think of him without picturing the ill-fated, flamboyant glam rocker Beef. I also greatly enjoyed Gerrit’s performances in Brian De Palma’s Greetings and Hi, Mom! (alongside a young Robert De Niro), as well as Cannonball!, Demon Seed, TerrorVision, Chopping Mall and the supremely underrated Used Cars. But his role as Beef in Phantom of the Paradise is simply off-the-charts amazing. He’s a constant joy, from his unforgettable line readings to those insane dance moves. It’s a joyously outrageous performance in a film that raises the roof with its sheer energy. If you haven’t yet discovered this solid-gold cult classic, I urge you to pay tribute at the altar of Beef as soon as you can. Here’s to you, Gerrit, scene-stealer par excellence. We’re all sending salutations from the other side. Long live Beef!

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