TRIBUTE: PAUL RYAN

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PAUL RYAN

Some people you just always think you’ll see again.  Paul Ryan was one of them.  His death a couple of weeks ago was a shock to me; I hadn’t known that he’d been ill for awhile.  After the initial shock wore off, and I was able to join in the celebration of his life, I was finally able to get some of my thoughts down on paper.

Paul was a star on Public Access television way before I was.  That’s one of the reasons we bonded so well.  And, as much as people think of me as the trailblazer in that arena, it was really Paul.

Paul Ryan.

Paul Ryan.

It’s amazing how far his influence reached; I had recently left several messages for a new facialist, to get an appointment.  When she finally called me back, she said she hadn’t worked that week because of some deaths.  She mentioned that one was Paul Ryan.  I had met this woman only once, yet here we were, commiserating about the loss of a mutual pal, which I had not known about until she just told me in passing!

Paul and I had some crazy times together in those early years, and many of them rushed to the forefront of my mind when I heard the sad news.  I know Paul would have rathered I focus on those happy memories, instead of feeling so sad that he’s no longer on this level of life.

The most prominent remembrance is of having an improv troupe together.  Paul didn’t even perform in it—he chose the the company and ran the whole thing!  We became the resident group at the Laugh Factory.  I had never even done improv before I met Paul, even though I had hung-out with people like Robin Williams at one point.  (Actually, maybe that’s why I had never done it; Robin was overpowering, while Paul was nurturing.) Paul had requested that I show up one night at the class he taught at his home in Beverly Hills. Of course, I complied, and when I heard him call for “Karen” to come up to do the next skit, I looked around to see who else had my name. When I realized that Paul was calling on me, and would not take no for an answer, I almost threw-up! But up to the stage I went, and never looked back. What a valuable experience he afforded me!

Besides work, we did a lot of fun, and some nutty, things together.  We rode in the one and only Hollywood Easter Parade; I felt like an idiot doing it, but Paul just told me to wave to the crowd, and enjoy.  He roped me into judging a dance contest at a spiritual place he belonged to.  We saw Patti LaBelle and Arsenio Hall perform at Universal‏, with Paul being thrilled when I brought him backstage to meet them after the show.  And even Mr. X came with me to a New Year’s Eve party of Paul’s, complete with a midnight candle ceremony in his massive bedroom that doubled as a stage.

When Paul guest hosted on a morning network TV show, he had me on as a guest.  We always supported each other.  What he did, so did I.  Even though he had tons of gal pals, he always included me.

Perhaps the most fun event we ever went to together was George Burns’ 90th birthday party! I had met a couple of older gents who were fans of my show, who were also George’s dear friends, and they invited me to the soiree.  I didn’t have the confidence to go because I thought I’d feel way too out of my league there.  So I called Paul.  I knew he’d have the confidence for both of us! I’m sure we were the two youngest people there, but we had a blast!

(L to R) Paul Ryan, Robin Williams, John Ritter. What a trio!

(L to R) Paul Ryan, Robin Williams, John Ritter. What a trio!

After we lost regular touch, we even bumped into each other at the Travel Channel headquarters in New York, where we both had brief shows! What a coincidence—my only time in those offices, and there was Paul!

I’m so glad he lived more life than most his age. On his former TV show, he interviewed real celebrities, (including the likes of Rock Hudson and Joan Collins,) one-on-one. (Or sometimes two-on-two, as in the case of Robin Williams and John Ritter. The three of them had studied improv together back in the day; I can’t believe I knew them all, and now they’re together again, entertaining the troops in heaven.) And just about every single guest of Paul’s was amazed at how much he knew about them! (And this was before computers! I still don’t knew how he did all that research!)

I’ve never commented on a funeral service before, but Paul’s was perfect.  Of course it was, because he orchestrated it himself!  As it went on, with mirth and celebration, I saw his hand in it.  It was actually the first funeral I’ve ever been to that comforted me.

So, for that, along with all the teachings and fun times, I thank him so much.

R.I.P., Paul Ryan.

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2 Comments

  1. Flo Selfman on

    What a wonderful tribute, Karen.
    I knew Paul casually, as a publicist to a host. He got top people on his show before we all even knew what cable was, or what it would become. He always sent a limo, and he was always a gentleman. Plus, he did his homework and asked good questions, making it easy for the celebs to come off as the interesting, talented people they were. (Well, I can only speak for MY clients, and I’ve been lucky that way.)
    One nice thing I have to related. Libby Slate and I took a one-day class at UCLA Extension back in the mid-’80s, I think. It was taught by Robert Osborne, who was then the Rambling Reporter columnist for the Hollywood Reporter. We were impressed by Robert’s genuine love of film. After class, as we began walking out to go to the car, an elderly woman approached Robert and asked if he could get her a ride. Paul overheard and immediately offered to drive her (not sure where). Libby and I have mentioned this on several occasions, and we have never forgotten how nice Paul was to that woman, and to everyone else.

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