The 54-year-old actor paid tribute to the late SAG-AFTRA president by releasing a heartfelt message in which he recalled an unforgettable moment he had with his mentor.
- March 24, 2016
AceShowbiz -
George Clooney was among those who remembered AFTRA President Ken Howard, who died on Wednesday, March 23. The 54-year-old actor paid tribute to his mentor and friend by releasing a heartfelt message, recalling one of his unforgettable memories with the late actor.
"There's a story about how a young actor met Ken on the Fox lot in 1983 and told him what a fan he was of 'The White Shadow'," Clooney said in a statement. "Ken asked that actor what he did and the young man said, 'well someday I hope to be lucky enough to work with you.' Then he told Ken he had an audition all the way across town at Paramount but he wasn't going to make it because all he had was a bike."
"So Ken put his bike in the trunk of his car and dropped him off at Paramount. Then Ken just waved goodbye and said good luck, 'I hope we do get that chance to work together,' " Clooney added. "I didn't get that audition, but I did get the chance to work with him years later. It was an honor. Today his obituary read that he was six foot six, but he was so much taller than that."
Other celebrities who mourned the loss of "The Wedding Ringer" star were Alec Baldwin, who mentioned Howard's contribution to the film industry, Aaron Paul, Rob Lowe and Ike Barinholtz.
Ken,
You had a giant smile on your face every time we spoke and I will never forget it. RIP my friend.
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) 23 March 2016
Will always remember working with the great Ken Howard on one of my favorite #WestWing scenes ever. #PutHimOnTheBuss
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) 24 March 2016
RIP Ken Howard. He played my dad on a pilot once and told me great Mickey Mantle stories
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) 23 March 2016
Howard's widow Linda, uploaded a photo of her late husband cuddling a puppy as she shared that his death broke her heart into pieces. "My heart is broken, but the onslaught of love and admiration for Ken are of great comfort. He was my 'Big Dog' and I have experienced what real love truly is," she captioned the photo. "Thank you all for your calls, emails, texts and postings. It means the world. Need to take a bit of time, but wanted everyone to know I'm okay and oh so grateful to you all."
