James Rebhorn Wrote His Own Touching Obituary Before He Passed Away
Last week, The Inquisitr had reported about the death of character actor James Rebhorn from Cancer. The 65-year-old veteran actor had assumed several characters in his cinematic career starring in several hit movies and television shows. He was also a theater veteran with several stage appearances. James was diagnosed with Melanoma in 1992 and had been battling the disease all the while, until his passing.
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Rebhorn’s agent Dianne Busch who revealed that James was very touched by a character that featured alongside his own in one of his last theater roles. This character didn’t quite like the obituaries that appeared in newspapers, and decided to write her own. This seems to have inspired James to write his own obituary before he passed away, last Friday.
Rebhorn was a longtime member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. The New Jersey Church where Rebhorn was a member has posted the obituary on its website. The Obituary was titled “His Life, According to Jim.”
And this is the exact text of the same, reproduced here:
James Robert Rebhorn was born on Sept. 1, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA. His mother, Ardell Frances Rebhorn, nee Hoch, loved him very much and supported all his dreams. She taught him the value of good manners and courtesy, and that hospitality is no small thing. His father, James Harry Rebhorn, was no less devoted to him. From him, Jim learned that there is no excuse for poor craftsmanship. A job well done rarely takes more or less time than a job poorly done. They gave him his faith and wisely encouraged him to stay in touch with God.
He is survived by his sister, Janice Barbara Galbraith, of Myrtle Beach, SC. She was his friend, his confidant, and, more often than either of them would like to admit, his bridge over troubled waters.
He is also survived by his wife, Rebecca Fulton Linn, and his two daughters, Emma Rebecca Rebhorn and Hannah Linn Rebhorn. They anchored his life and gave him the freedom to live it. Without them, always at the center of his being, his life would have been little more than a vapor. Rebecca loved him with all his flaws, and in her the concept of ceaseless love could find no better example.
His children made him immensely proud. Their dedication to improving our species and making the world a better place gave him hope for the future. They deal with grief differently, and they should each manage it as they see fit. He hopes, however, that they will grieve his passing only as long as necessary. They have much good work to do, and they should get busy doing it. Time is flying by. His son-in-law, Ben, also survives him. Jim loved Ben, who was as a son to Jim, especially through these last months.
His aunts Jean, Dorothy and Florence, numerous cousins and their families, and many devoted friends also survive Jim. He loved them all, and he knows they loved him.
Jim received his BA at Wittenberg University and his MFA at Columbia. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Nu Zeta 624, a life-long Lutheran, and a longtime member of both the AMC and ACLU.
Jim was fortunate enough to earn his living doing what he loved. He was a professional actor. His unions were always there for him, and he will remain forever grateful for the benefits he gained as a result of the union struggle. Without his exceptional teachers and the representation of the best agents in the business, he wouldn’t have had much of a career. He was a lucky man in every way.
–Jim Rebhorn, March 2014
People close to James Rebhorn have also been invited to a private funeral service at the St. Paul church at 11 am on Friday, March 28.
James Rebhorn was known for his character and played the role of Frank Mathison on the Showtime drama Homeland. He was also famous for his portrayal as special Agent Reese Hughes on White Collar. Some of his most famous movie appearances were in Scent of a Woman (1992), Independence Day (1996) and The Game (1997).
[Image via Hitfix]
