~ In Memory of my Brother Randy ~
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Randy Allen May 11, 1995 We come to honor Randy, dear rooted. man, He was our tree, both strong and fragile. For it is only thirty-eight years since he began The long growth upward and the long growth deep, The spirit springing fresh and ever agile to balance what is lost and what will keep. Love keeps and courage keeps, this man could tell, To shelter all of us who knew him well An actor and performance artist, Randy was best known for impersonating female entertainers. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The tree, well-rooted, strong and serene, Learned when to stand fast, when slightly to bend. So taught us when to yield and how to grow, And how great burdens may be lightly worn. Through many rich years of the shifting snow This great tree provided its grace under stress. For courage keeps and love is still new born, Greening our whole world with its gentleness. adopted from May Sarton |
| My brother Randy was 38 years old when he died of Aids. Randy was born in Laporte, Indiana. He first studied acting in St. Louis Webster University. He earned a Bachelor degree form Webster University. He also attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in England, and then went on to earn a Master's Degree form University of Southern California in directing. He was best known for his impersonation of female entertainers including Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe & Bette Davis. He toured the country in his one-man show called PS Bette Davis and performed in "Marilyn something's got to give", a recreation of Marilyn Monroe. He also performed in Australia. He appeared on Sally Jesse Raphael surprising all, as he opened the show without the audience or the viewers knowing the difference. Sally was in awe of his performance of her they became good friends. After his death, Sally eulogized him on her TV show. Randy was a guest on the Joan Rivers show as well as the Geraldo show. From a brother's point of view, I was 10 years old when Randy was born. I remember running all the way home from school the day my Mom brought him home from the hospital. I was so excited. Back in those days, children were not allowed to visit in the hospital. As he grew up, Mom took him under her wing. She didn't want him growing up a " ruff " neck like the rest of us boys or maybe she had seen the spark of something special in Randy. I was always taken aback by this. I didn't understand why he was not like the rest of us boys, not interested in rough and tumble things, but drawn to the softer side of life! He always had a smile on his face and was always seemed happy on the outside at least. I remember my Dad being particular hard on him. He was hard on all of us kids, but seemed especially harder on Randy. I never got to know Randy the way I wanted to ... that was of my own doing though and something I still regret. At the end of his life, we got to know each other a little better. Randy has helped me get in touch with my softer side and to understand that it's all right to "feel". I was brought up in a family that didn't show their emotions, let alone share them. I remember he was always acting out roles of women. He also had a Barbie doll when he was young. This I didn't understand either! I guess I didn't want to at the time. It was not until he contracted Aids, that I realized for sure, he was gay. This hit home. In my heart, I knew all along. I just didn't want to face up to it. I feel so sad now, that I didn't get to know my brother better. He was far and above the rest of us in the family, about perceiving feelings and how to deal with them. I understand this now, but he never showed any ill feeling. Randy carried himself with such dignity and grace. You see, he knew better than we did what and how we were feeling. Randy was and still is my brother! I miss him more now than ever. AND wish with all my heart, I could tell him I love him. |
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Theater Week Magazine Randy Allen 1957-1995 |