MovieChat Forums > Fame (1982) Discussion > Mr. Crandall (Michael Thoma)

Mr. Crandall (Michael Thoma)

posted 18 years ago by justvox
13 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone know what Michael Thoma, the actor who played "Mr. Crandall," died of? I just finished watching the first season DVD, and I looked his entry up here on IMDB. Apparently, he died on September 3, 1982, which would have been right about when the second season started! Oddly, it seemed he was going to be written out of the series with what the episode "A Special Place" (last one of the first season) seemed to be hinting add - that his character, "Mr. Crandall," was going to be fired. I was thinking this might be because Thoma, in real life, might have been ill. But then, at the last minute of that episode, it was announced that "Mr. Crandall" would return to the School of the Arts the next school year.

I haven't seen the second season yet (well, probably some of it when it was originally on -- when I was merely four years old! - so I wouldn't remember!). Was Thoma in any of the second-season episodes (perhaps some were filmed before his death)? And how was his absence explained in the script?

Justin

[–] movibuf1962 18 years ago

Wow. Someone else who followed the show's fine details. Impressive.
Mr. Crandall's death WAS announced- but several episodes into the second season. (It might've even been the December 1982 episode "A Tough Act To Follow," because that one introduces the character of Tom Reardon as the new drama professor.) The episode begins with Crandall already passed away and Danny, for some reason, is given a lot of the dramatics as the student who misses him the most. There was a dedication at the end also paying tribute to Michael Thoma as well. It always breaks my heart when I see him. For someone not even in the opening credits, I always thought he acted the MOST like a teacher; his approach always very warm and fatherly. It almost would've made more sense to have him exit at the end of "Special Place," because I doubt he was in any of season 2. I don't know, unfortunately, how he died.

[–] szv202 18 years ago

Basically, "A Very Special Place" was filmed to serve as a cathartic method to allow everybody involved with the show (cast, crew, audience, etc.) to have a chance to say goodbye to Michael Thoma and show him how much he was appreciated, and how much they would really miss him. By the time that episode was filmed, he was already suffering the more advanced stages of cancer, though I am not sure which type of cancer, so they knew that this was going to be his last show. I remember reading somewhere that he was in a lot of pain during the time this episode was being filmed, which explains why he spent a large portion of the big scene at the end just sitting in that chair. Interestingly enough, the tears on everybody's faces during that big scene are real, as everybody knew that they were really saying goodbye for good.

[–] xhonkytonkangelx 17 years ago

It made me all teary eyed too. It was very moving.I love Starmaker.

[–] marctyler01 17 years ago

In one of the UK Reunion specials ... Carol Mayo Jenkins says 'he was dying, we werent supposed to know he was sick, but you cant keep secrets' ... she even gets teary eyed while being interviewed
She states that 'A Special Place' was her favourite episode
He had lung cancer I believe althou would need to watch the special again to recall for sure

[–] jayanxiety 14 years ago

I remember seeing a making-of documentary years later and Debbie Allen discussed the episode and how the emotions were all REAL and it was a difficult episode to film. Michael Thoma showed real courage to do the episode, especially the many thoughts going through his head and the pain he was in. That realism was what seperates FAME from other musical-type shows that followed (I'm talking to you Glee...).

[–] OneTiredMom 14 years ago

Rearden was already on the show....and the show detailed Danny having a nightmare at the beginning, falling in an elevator, it stops, the doors open, and he sees Crandall teaching one of his classes. Danny screams for him to help, but the elevator continues to fall. Danny suddenly awakends, and sees the time on the clock. The next day at school, Mrs. Berg takes the phone call that says Mr. Crandall died that night.

Mrs. Berg takes over Mr. Crandalls class, and Danny guesses that he died...he even told her he knew what time he died.

Anyway...brief choppy synopsis. I just watched that episode earlier today on Netflix.

[–] rainbowsparkle 14 years ago

The confusing thing about this episode was that the students were waiting for Crandall to show up to teach them, yet I could swear the "Starmaker" scene was supposed (on the show) to be celebrating Crandall's retirement. Maybe I need to rewatch...

"I'll just...wait here, then."

[–] engelke2003 14 years ago

Mr. Crandall was supposed to be laid off due to budget reasons, based on what I remember. At the end of the show, the school district was able somehow to come up with the money. I could be wrong.

[–] sunneyone 13 years ago

Yeah, the school board axed the line item for replacing the auditorium's lights to keep the money for his salary in the budget.

[–] synergy273 11 years ago

I was confused to because I thought he was retiring. I don't recall seeing him in season 2 at all??

[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

I thought he was leaving as well hence why they sang Starmaker to him.

Its that man again!!

[–] !!!deleted!!! (65276956) 8 years ago

Great actor (Michael Thoma) - very prolific in 70's/80's TV shows. Never forget Danny's precognitive dream about Mr. Crandall's death (where he is stuck in the elevator, sees a pic of Mr. Crandall, then the elevator plummets)..."CRANDALL!! CRANDALLLLLLLL..........!!!

EAT the fritos!!

[–] shoopies 8 years ago

He had cancer, The cast has spoke of him interviews.