[Dtb-talk] fred majors obituary

[Mike Gilmore]

Two days ago, I finished John Grisham's "Ford County: Stories." It was narrated by Mr. Major some time last spring. I could tell listening to it that he was older and wondered if his health was deteriorating. Every time he would take a breath, I could hear some wheezing. I wondered if he'd been a smoker and had contracted lung cancer or emphesema.
I was really impressed by his ability to do different Southern accents (lawyers, old women, hill billies, etc.) This was the first book I've read that had him as the narrator. I hope to hear some more by him in the future.
 
Mike

--- On Fri, 1/14/11, Mickey Quenzer <mickeyqu at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Mickey Quenzer <mickeyqu at comcast.net>
Subject: [Dtb-talk] fred majors obituary
To: "'Discussion of Digital Talking Books'" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Date: Friday, January 14, 2011, 12:43 PM


F.Y.I..
Originally from Pamela Rader [prader at aph.org]
Sent on Wed January 12, 2010
Actors Theatre veteran Fred Major dies at 73

Frederic Morehouse, a longtime resident actor at Actors Theatre of
Louisville known by his Fred Major stage name, died Monday at Baptist
Hospital East. He was 73.

Major's health had been in decline since a heart attack more than a dozen
years ago, said his wife, Ann Hodapp Morehouse. She said he had been
particularly frail the past year.

"I think he always wanted to die on stage, and he came damn near it," she
said.

Major finished his final role in December as the narrator in "A Christmas
Carol."

"He's been doing 'Christmas Carol' every year, heart attack or not," said
his actor/choreographer wife. "He went out in a burst of glory, which was
wonderful for an actor."

Major had appeared in various roles during the production's 35-year history
at Actors, including the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

"Certainly he had lots and lots of fans," said actor William McNulty, who
said he shared the stage with Major in his first appearance at Actors in
1982 and in his final appearance last year, as well as numerous plays
between.

"I shared the stage with him probably as much or more than anybody," McNulty
said. " ... He was both a fine artist and a delightful person to be around."

Born July 30, 1937 in Wisconsin, Major attended Phillips Exeter Academy in
New Hampshire and went on to study Slavic languages at Harvard University.
At Harvard he performed in the Krokodiloes, an a cappella group founded at
the Hasty Pudding Club in 1946.

After college, he married and had three children while trying to maintain a
career in the printing business. But when the marriage ended he decided to
pursue theater work in New York.

His vocal ability likely helped Major land a spot quickly, in a touring
production of the musical "Man of La Mancha."

"The national tour is the next tier down from Broadway," McNulty said. "It's
a good launching pad for your career."

He said Major "had a wonderful singing voice, but it was more than just a
voice." Major's intelligence was apparent without coming across as strictly
intellectual, he said.
Major went on to perform at The Actors Studio and Off-Broadway as well as
appearing in regional theaters across the country. He made his way to
Louisville in 1982 when Actors lost a cast member and was hired for the
resident company for the next full season in 1982-83.
Major appeared in more than 90 plays at Actors Theatre, including the world
premiere of Tony Kushner's "Slavs!" and Tina Howe's "Rembrandt's Gift." He
also toured internationally with Actors to the former Yugoslavia, Romania
and Australia.
Off-stage in Louisville, Major recorded hundreds of books at the American
Printing House for the Blind. It was there that he met Ann Hodapp, who
worked there as a narrator.
Major had also been president of the local American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists union, representing announcers. He had done voiceovers
for, among other things, industrial films and The Military Channel.
Plans for a memorial service were incomplete Tuesday. Pearson's Funeral Home
is handling arrangements.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011301110096


Pamela Rader
APH Product Support

American Printing House For The Blind
1839 Frankfort Ave.
Louisville, KY  40206

PHONE:  502-899-2307
Toll-Free:  1-800-223-1839 (Ext. 307)


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