Don Brockett
Encyclopedia
Don Brockett was an American actor
, comedian
, and producer
and director
from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, known for his portrayal of Chef Brockett on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
. He had small parts in many major films including Flashdance
, Fletch Lives
, The Silence of the Lambs, and Bob Roberts
.
Don Brockett played a zombie in the 1985 George A. Romero
film Day of the Dead.
Brockett was one-half of the popular Pittsburgh comedy
team, "Brockett and Barbara". He was also known for his annual comedic cinematic look at Pittsburgh, Forbidden Pittsburgh.
Brockett also had bit parts in the box-office smashes Flashdance
and Houseguest
, both of which were filmed in Pittsburgh. Barely six months after the release of Houseguest, Brockett died of a heart attack
. Prior to his death, Brockett had been heavily involved in local charities, particularly with polio research. Brockett himself had been stricken with the disease as a child. His grave is located at Allegheny Cemetery
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, and producer
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, known for his portrayal of Chef Brockett on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, also known as Mister Rogers, is an American children's television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. The series is aimed primarily at preschool ages, 2-5, but has been stated by Public Broadcasting Service as "appropriate for all ages"...
. He had small parts in many major films including Flashdance
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
, Fletch Lives
Fletch Lives
Fletch Lives is a 1989 comedy film starring Chevy Chase. It was directed by Michael Ritchie with a screenplay by Leon Capetanos based on the character created by Gregory Mcdonald. Fletch Lives was released by Universal Pictures. It is a sequel to the 1985 film Fletch.- Plot :Chevy Chase once again...
, The Silence of the Lambs, and Bob Roberts
Bob Roberts
Bob Roberts is a 1992 film written and directed by Tim Robbins. It is a satirical mockumentary, chronicling the rise of Bob Roberts, a conservative politician who is a candidate for an upcoming United States Senate election...
.
Don Brockett played a zombie in the 1985 George A. Romero
George A. Romero
George Andrew Romero is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed "Godfather of all Zombies." -Life and career:...
film Day of the Dead.
Brockett was one-half of the popular Pittsburgh comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
team, "Brockett and Barbara". He was also known for his annual comedic cinematic look at Pittsburgh, Forbidden Pittsburgh.
Brockett also had bit parts in the box-office smashes Flashdance
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
and Houseguest
Houseguest
Houseguest is a 1995 feature film starring Sinbad and Phil Hartman and directed by Randall Miller.-Plot:Kevin Franklin is an inner-city Pittsburgh native; raised in an orphanage, has delusions of grandeur, and talks about getting rich and driving a Porsche one day...
, both of which were filmed in Pittsburgh. Barely six months after the release of Houseguest, Brockett died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. Prior to his death, Brockett had been heavily involved in local charities, particularly with polio research. Brockett himself had been stricken with the disease as a child. His grave is located at Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery
Allegheny Cemetery is one of the largest and oldest burial grounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.It is a nonsectarian, wooded hillside park located at 4734 Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood and bounded by Bloomfield, Garfield, and Stanton Heights...
.