Ray Sharkey died of AIDS a year after the movie was made... I'm just curious if anyone knows WHEN he was diagnosed with aids. Okay, what I'm really wondering is, did Ray Sharkey know that he was dying of AIDS while he was making this movie? I mean, I'm only curious because I watched this movie a lot as a kid and just found out months ago that Ray Sharkey died back in 1993. I was a little shocked, to say the least.
Just saw Cop and 1/2 tonight. I recognized Ray Sharkey in the movie and he was clearly ill with AIDS because of his gauntly look. The shape of his cheeks is very common for anyone who has this disease.
If Wikipedia is to be believed, Ray was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1987, and I suspect an AIDS diagnosis probably followed within a few years, if not months. He looks very frail and gaunt here, so it's pretty clear he was ill while making this film. On the other hand, he reportedly was in denial about the virus and disease, as well as his addictions, so who's to say what was going through his mind?
Judging from his appearance here, it's no surprise this was his last film. It's too bad he didn't have a better sendoff, but such was his career at this point. He was a brilliant actor, though by all accounts, not such a great guy. As for the "IF YOU'RE A KID, DON'T READ THIS," I think you're just asking for it.
I had completely forgotten about this post until your reply, LOL
I actually got my question answered 2 years ago at an autograph shindig where I met Ray's costar in Cop and 1/2, Frank Sivero. He's a really sweet guy and I asked him about working with Ray. He and Ray had been friends for a while, then Ray developed HIV through sharing dirty needles and yes as you said, he was in denial. Since 1993 he's been sitting everything out in the ground in a New York cemetery.
Btw, thanks for being civil -- I'm not used to that here on imdb. ;)
For whatever reason, I tend to gravitate to older posts, particularly on these boards that move at a glacial pace. Not that this film deserves any more attention.
That's great to hear that Frank Sivero is a nice guy and filled you in about Ray. Frank is a solid actor who doesn't get the roles he deserves, and when he does it's usually as a mobster (though he rather looks the part, I must say).
I'd love to see a documentary or read a biography about Ray. It's interesting that he wasn't the only actor in "Wiseguy" whose life and career took a sharp downward spiral, though Ken Wahl is still with us.
And I'm always civil — or at least I hope I am. There's not enough decorum around these parts.
I worked on this film. Ray was a real pro, even when it was clear that he was struggling at times during shooting. And Henry was very, very patient and understanding with Ray. Ray constantly apologized when he'd blow a line or be too worn out to continue shooting. Henry would just call a break and tell Ray to take a few minutes. It was a very, very friendly and easy-going shoot and a very pleasant set to be on, I must say. No yelling, no bickering.
Hell, I watched Burt do at least 40 takes of the same "drive up and jump out of the car" shot because Henry wanted to get it just so... and Burt never balked or complained or got upset or anything. Heck, he would get mad when a take went bad, but he would get mad at himself for screwing it up.
It is one of my fondest memories of working a film.
I heard it was compulsive drugs and the needle was tanted.
I also hear that during the boat scene where he has the gun pointed out and he's just screaming that was not acting he was actually having a tantrum because the drugs had messed him up and he was not getting along with the actors and team.
I think also the scene where he plugs the fat curly haired guy in the stomach he actually really plugged him good and hard hurting him.
Not sure if it's true but you can see how drugs will mess you up.