Harvey Pekar - 1939 - 2010

Harvey Pekar, the curmudgeonly author and subject of the film American Splendor, has passed away at the age of 70. He was found by his wife, Joyce Brabner, around 1am this morning. My memory of Harvey, like a lot of us, probably, began with his appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, and his contentious last appearance on the show is featured below. But prior to those interviews, Harvey had already established himself as something of a working class hero: He had a job as a file clerk, he worried incessantly about his own anxieties, and year later, he struggled with cancer. And it was all in his comic book series, American Splendor. Pekar's work was not limited to comics, however; he was also a well-regarded jazz aficionado and critic. And, of course, there was the file clerk job, which he kept until he retired in 2001. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2003, and was nominated for its adapted screenplay, but how the Academy ignored both Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis, I'll never know. Great performances, and a truly memorable film. Speaking of memorable, here's Harvey's last act of defiance on Letterman. I believe he was supposed to be a guest when the movie came out and maybe Dave bumped him or something? I don't really remember. But I believe this is the last time they were on together in any format.

Comments

[The Depressed Reader]

Harvey Pekar's death is a real loss to the world. I only found learned about him from the movie, but got into his work after that. He did what he wanted to do artistically and created something truly special, year after year. RIP Harvey.

[scott]

very sad, I actually posted the first and last letterman on my site today, great minds think alike!