Dudley Moore - Buried in New Jersey

 

"I can't imagine not having music in my life, playing for myself or for other people.  If I was asked, 'which would you give up,' I'd have to say acting."

Dudley Stuart John Moore was born in London, England on April 19, 1935.  Now, I always knew him as an eccentric actor from the two Arthur films, neither of which I've ever seen, but not much beyond that.  It wasn't until I visited his grave and saw his headstone that I knew he had any connection to the music industry. A talented pianist he was.

His love of music came early, and by the time he was eleven, he'd already earned a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music, where he studied the violin, the harpsichord and musical composition.  It was enough to earn him a full scholarship to Oxford.

Although music was his first interest, he moved to Hollywood in the late 1970s.  His early film roles included Foul Play (1978) and Blake Edwards 10, which became one of the biggest box-office hits of 1979.  It launched Moore to leading man status, though he'd prefer to be known for his musical talent.

In April 1997, doctors told Moore that he had calcium deposits in his brain, which had caused irreversible frontal lobe damage.  On top of that, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, which led to a series of strokes.

For the next few years, Moore was cared for by friend and fellow musician Rena Fruchter in Plainfield, New Jersey. She was holding his hand when he ultimately passed away on March 27, 2002, at the age of 66.  Acording to Fruchter, Moore's final words were "I can hear music all around me."

Dudley Moore was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.  His headstone includes a tribute to his skills as a pianist.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• In 1998, author Barbara Paskin released her biography of the actor/musician.  Pick up a copy of Dudley Moore: The Authorized Biography from Amazon.
  
  
• After he passed away, several of Moore's works were turned into books as well, which are also available from Amazon, including Letters From Dudley (2006) and Songs Without Words (2011).
  
  
• In 1983, Moore turned down the lead role in the romantic comedy Splash. The part ultimately went to Tom Hanks.
  
  
• Moore disowned the 1988 sequel Arthur 2: On The Rocks.
  
  
• A bar in Cromwell, Connecticut, Digger McDuff's Tavern, is named in his honor.  I don't get it either.
  
  
• Moore died the same day as legendary comedian Milton Berle.