Colleagues pay tribute to Reeve

USA TODAY, October 21, 2004

By Donna Freydkin

NEW YORK — Glenn Close said it best.

"I'm here because Chris was a dear, profound friend of mine," the actress said as she walked into the premiere of A&E's TV film The Brooke Ellison Story, the last project directed to completion by the late actor, director and activist Christopher Reeve. He wrapped the film, which airs Monday (8 p.m. ET/PT), this summer.

Despite bubbly live music and an abundance of food and drink, Wednesday's cocktail party at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall had a bittersweet feel as guests paid tribute to Reeve, who died Oct. 10 of heart failure while being treated for an infected bedsore. His wife, Dana, and children, Will, Matthew and Alexandra, attended the event but did not walk the red carpet.

Yet as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on.

"I think this is exactly how he would like it — a lot of attention being paid to a story that needs to be told," the real Brooke Ellison said. "He was an incredible man."

His final film tells the story of Ellison, who was paralyzed from the neck down after being hit by a car at age 11 yet went on to graduate at the top of her class from Harvard University in 2000. Her tale must have been particularly meaningful to Reeve, who was left a quadriplegic after a horseback riding accident in 1995.

Ellison has been in contact with Reeve's widow since his death. "They're an incredible family, so strong and loving and giving."

So was Reeve, said Lacey Chabert, who plays Ellison in the movie.

"He left me a message a few weeks ago that he was really happy with the film," she said. "I just wish he was here with us. I remember him being so warm and kind and funny and driven."

Chabert had not talked to Reeve's family since he died but had seen his son Will just moments before at the party.

"I've heard they're doing OK," she said. "I know his family will carry on everything that he started."

And yes, Chabert acknowledges that it's a little weird to be partying at this point in time.

"It's tough, because I don't want to feel like I'm out there promoting a movie now," she said.

But, she added, Reeve would appreciate her efforts: "I think he would be so proud."

USA TODAY

^Back