Gerry Parkes appreciation thread!

[Gorgon Heap]

Let's hear it for 'the man'- literally, the only 'man' who was a regular part of the series on-screen (I am referring to the US/Canadian version, aware that other actors played the part in other countries).

Parkes's Doc was energetic, gentle, odd, lovably grouchy, humorous, wise but flawed, and at times, touching. A thing I noted is that for 94 episodes, Parkes played the part with an energy and zest that became easy to take for granted, and in the last two chronological shows ("Honk of Honks" and "Change of Address"), he makes a complete switch, as his character grapples with the separation from his best friend, the discovery of the Fraggles, and then separation from the Fraggles. The last scenes of "Honk of Honks" and the entirety of "Change of Address" elicit real emotion from the audience, due in no small part to Parkes, giving the part a sad, genuine gravitas that a lesser actor might've dismissed. Truly lovely work.

Not much is known about Parkes, although he is still living and still acting. Incidentally, in the cult classic "Boondock Saints" he played a bar-owner with Tourettes Syndrome- also named Doc!

Does anyone know anything about Parkes, i.e. his birthdate/age? Has anyone ever interviewed Parkes for this or any other site?

(Sorry to lump those into this thread, but right now I'm overwhelmed with curiosity.)

Post other Gerry Parkes comments here!

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

 

[Docnzhoss]

I am very impressed with Gerry Parkes' role on "Fraggle Rock". It's a role I think he took to heart and made himself a very memorable character. I must admit I was shocked when I realized it was him as the bartender in Boondock Saints (one of my favorite movies). He did a terrific job in that movie and I really hope to see him in other projects.

 

[zeldazipple]

Gerry Parks is Brill.

I know as mutch about Gerry Parks then the rest of you. I heard of that movie too but I haven't seen it yet. Not sure I want to. I know Gerry is an actor but geeze I can't imagine him playing a nasty charecter or even swearing. No matter who or what he plays when I see his face I instantly think ' Doc ' not the charecter he's playing. Makes an interesting twist that's for sure. Good to know he's still livingn though. I was beginning to wonder beceause he must be in his 70's by now unless he just aged young. I seen him on ' Shineing Time Station ' in 1995. I read lots of Henson books and it's funny how he was seldomly meantioned except he was ' Doc ' on ' Fraggle Rock ' that was about it no age no other info. I would like to know more abut him too. Or maybe a pic of him.

 

[GonzoLeaper]

Well, in viewing IMDB.com's page on Gerard Parkes (also known as Gerry Parkes) I saw only 2 movies that I recognized that he's been in. He's been in a movie about George Frediech Handel, and I thought I'd throw that in. Anyway, he's also been in the great 1980s movie Short Circuit 2 (also starring Fisher Stevens of Early Edition fame- if anyone cares! ) and he was in 1995's "It Takes Two" starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kirstie Alley (you know, the "fat actress" ) and good old Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney on "Police Academy"!) I've seen "It Takes Two" quite a few times and I didn't even realize Gerry was in this movie. He plays St. Bart's priest, so that's probably why I didn't notice the bit role.

He's apparently played quite a few priests over the years. He was also in an episode of The Littlest Hobo in 1981, which is so cool because I loved that show as a child. (Whenever I can find it, I seriously want to get the recently released DVD of the show!)

IMDB.com didn't have a birth date for him, but the earliest movie listed for him was made in 1964 and he was listed as being in Moss just last year, so he's at least over 40. I would guess in his 60s or 70s, since was probably in his 40s or 50s when he did Fraggle Rock. Maybe I'm wrong, but I had always the impression that he was maybe Canadian or British of some sort. (Well, okay not British, I guess, since he doesn't have the accent.) I'm sure there must be some more information on him somewhere on the Net. I'd guess he's Canadian, since I just found out that Fraggle Rock was filmed in Toronto, Canada in a 1983 article about Fraggle Rock I just found here. http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Cottage/8264/nyt_text.html

 

[zeldazipple]

pics,link, and movie info

I came across some web links that lists movies Gerry's been in 2 scren shots from the Movie Deeply and one is a movie listing.

http://www.oceansandgalaxies.com/galleries/alberta/deeply/deeply07.jpg From the movie Deeply.( front )
http://www.oceansandgalaxies.com/galleries/alberta/deeply/deeply03.jpg (Side)
http://www.filmsandtv.com/search.asp?ms=2&uq=Gerard%20Parkes#MovieTop

 

[MrsPepper]

Yep, Gerry Parkes is Canadian. Good guess! My own guess for his age is that he's in his 70's, since he had grey hair when he was still on Fraggle Rock.

 

[zeldazipple]

I read someplace that Gerry Parks was Born in Ierland and came to Canada in the 1950;s and started acting in the 1960's.

 

[That Announcer]

It's not just Doc that I remember Gerry for, but also a character called Phil from a great episode of "Today's Special." Ought to be able to find some clips of it on that Today's Special Fan Page. Can't remember the address, sorry, my short term memory is ****.

 

[Princeton]

I always felt sorry for Doc, mainly because the only puppet character that he had scenes with doesn't talk. I think in a way that kinda limited Gerry's acting ability; I can imagine how hard it would be showing emotion with a puppet dog, and ONLY a puppet dog.

 

[Gorgon Heap]

I always felt sorry for Doc, mainly because the only puppet character that he had scenes with doesn't talk. I think in a way that kinda limited Gerry's acting ability; I can imagine how hard it would be showing emotion with a puppet dog, and ONLY a puppet dog.

James Lipton once said of working with the Muppets "they become more real than people".

I like to think of how well Gerry carried it off, playing off of Sprocket. Their give and take was always believable, and they seemed to fill in each other's blanks. Sprocket may not have spoken, but he was immensely expressive, to the point that it was never unclear what he was doing and thinking.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole