I was surprised and saddened to hear of the death of the actor Chris Penn this morning. He was not one of my favourites, but he was young and it wasn't expected and I thought he was great in
Reservoir Dogs.
But what I found weird about the coverage of the event was that without exception every news item I saw began with words to the effect of
Actor Chris Penn, younger brother of Sean Penn...
It seemed odd that the most notable thing about Chris Penn according to the media was that he was the brother of Sean Penn. You'd think it might begin "Chris Penn, star of Reservoir Dogs..." (admittedly the BBC site does at least namecheck the movie in the headline). It's not as if Chris Penn was not a film star in his own right, nor that Sean Penn himself is that massively famous. I am sure Chris Penn himself might not want to have been remembered solely for his role of Nice Guy Eddie, but I think he might have hoped for more than being mainly recalled as someone made from the same gametes as a bloke who was briefly married to Madonna. It seemed a bit rude.
But it got me thinking: if I died how would I be remembered? "Richard Herring, ex-double act partner of Stewart Lee"? That would be annoying. "Richard Herring, murderer of Stewart Lee"? No that wouldn't happen (he's no Joe Orton and I am definitely no Kenneth Halliwell - it wasn't that kind of relationship). Stew will have to get more famous himself if I will be remembered as anything to do with him.
"Richard Herring, son of Keith Herring"? Well only in the Cheddar Valley Gazette, which I can guarantee will put that - probably on about page 12, but in Cheddar I will always only be my father's son. Maybe "Richard Herring, husband of Angelina Jolie." Well if I achieved that goal I don't think there is anything else I could do that would better it.
In death I think people should at least have the politeness to mention the best thing you did, rather than saying who you were related to. RIP Chris. I liked you in Rush Hour and Beethoven's 2nd too.
