Sharing my buddy Christian Moraldes moving tribute to his friend, actress Misty Upham, whom we sadly lost this week: Thoughts on my friend for life By Christian Moralde Having known Misty Upham for many years, there is little that surprises me about her. But, occasionally, she manages to do just that. Being a founding member of her self-created performance group, The Indigo Children, she has managed to make her need to give back to fellow artists a vessel for all things unique and out of the ordinary. On Mistys way to an event, she chatted up her limo driver. Finding out he was an expert in audio technology, she recruited him as a member. For her members she asked her friend, Jane Fonda, to donate a video camera (in which she did). And, for an assortment of her friends, she would give her treasured mementos (awards show programs, certificates of nomination, etc) as good luck charms. She was random, surprising and eclectic, yet spiritual. She was an activist with a big mouth. (People respected her for that). She was an artist, a humanitarian and someone that I call one of my closest friends. One of the last times that I saw Misty was the morning after the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Misty was nominated as part of the ensemble cast of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. Joined at the hip, at the after-party, I introduced her to my friends. And, she treated each one with unbelievable kindness and warmth. The morning after, I received a call from her to keep her company. As we chatted, she fell off into a deep sleep from the previous nights festivities. I remember looking at her and thinking to myself, that last nights Red-Carpet Misty has faded away. Gone is the one shoulder, couture gown and her jewels that she asked me to keep in my tux for safe-keeping. Instead, there was this young girl. A girl who I once saw dressed as an 80s girl for her own birthday party. A girl void of pretense and free of vanity. This lack of vanity is actually the number one (observed) trait that a mutual friend of ours would say about her. Although she played the role of glamour queen on the red carpet, she had an immeasurable amount of modesty. I recently described Misty as the most unselfish person that I know. She would return every phone call & text and invite her friends to her premieres, parties and appearances. She was giving and inclusive. My favorite Misty story of all time was a clothing drive that she was assisting with. In her efforts to assist a womens shelter, she asked me if I would donate some clothing for her cause. (Having gifted her red carpet gowns for the Cannes Film Festival and the Hollywood Film Awards, I had connections to wardrobe). The next day after I dropped off a bag of clothing, Misty calls me up. Are these clothes for me or my clothing drive? For your clothing drive (I responded) The drive is for homeless women! Theyre not going to go around wearing couture, floor length gowns. This isnt CLUELESS, Christian We, both, couldnt breathe from laughing so hard. Shortly after she was nominated for a Spirit Award for her role in FROZEN RIVER, Misty held a fundraiser for a slain police officers family in Culver City. Setting up a makeshift stage in the laundry shop parking lot that she worked at just weeks prior, she was determined to raise funds through baked goods, garage sale items and donations. I remember noticing the unsightly set-up which was the polar opposite to the Spirit Awards luncheon, weeks before (where she lost the award to Penelope Cruz). Although the event was modest and small in scale, I was happy to be there and be a vessel to Mistys generous heart. Misty and I have walked red carpets together, gone to concerts, sang at karaoke bars and have spent holidays texting each other. From her thoughtful invitation to be her date for the American Film Institutes screening of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY to having her as a regular fixture at any of my birthday parties, her love knew no bounds. I remember a moment during the 2012 Black & Gold Gala were I was talking to my guests and sharing some unfortunate stories about my home. And, from the back corner, Misty was seen wiping away her tears in empathy for my sadness. As I write this, I am controlling my flood of tears. I cannot bear the thought that my Mistys smiling eyes are ones that I will no longer see. I am troubled over the fact she will no longer call me out of the blue, starting the conversation off with Im sensing youre sad, Im calling to check-in on you. I am heartbroken. The entertainment industry is filled with egomaniacs and opportunists. If Misty wasnt so talented, she wouldnt have belonged in a field that can be so cold and harsh. I will never forget her radiant spirit, her bright soul and her care for others. I love you, Misty. You are family. Thanks for the medieval castle, the Topher promise, finally trying sushi and always being there. #mistyupham #mistyuphamaugustosagecounty #mistyuphamfrozenriver #mistyuphamtrubute #mistyuphamtrubutebyfriendchristianmoralde #christianmoralde #missyuphamchristian #merylstreep #merylstreepmistyupham
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 19:50:58 +0000
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