Felix Silla

 Over years I have met a handful of people whose work I really admire. Most times I try to get an autograph or a photo with. Then there are the very select few that I have met, been a fan of all my life, and don’t get either one. But the one thing that I do get is the memory. There’s only few things that I like to do more than share those memories. Let’s go back to Riley’s childhood. Most of my positive memories involve my Granny. During the Summer, holidays, & sick days. Pretty much anytime I was out of school. I was at my Granny’s house. She had her “shows” and we had our “shows”. And my favorite out of “our” shows, was The Addams Family. Even though it came out a little before my time, I sat and watched it and loved every second of it. Even though I loved pretty much every character on the show, at the top of my list was Cousin Itt. Cousin Itt was portrayed by the great Felix Silla . Mr Silla has been in so many of my favorite productions it’s not even funny. From Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings, Buck Rogers, Spaceballs, & Jedi to name some. 

Fast forward to 2019, my son Joseph and I are going to meet my friend Mike Quinn. Who was in town for a charity drive at a local toy store. We are talking to Mike and I get a couple things signed by him. Dominic Pace was also there but we didn’t speak other than a hello and handshake. But Felix Silla was there as well. He was over there talking to me and playing with Joseph. I was so excited to meet him. I shook his hand and expressed my admiration. I didn’t want to take up more time that I needed to. Because they were there for a different reason. So Mike signed my items and took some photos with Joseph and I. Well, guess who took all of the photos. Yep, none other than Felix Silla himself. It was a truly memorable experience. Well today it was announced that we lost Felix due to pancreatic cancer. I never did get his autograph or a photo with him, but I will take my memories meeting him over that any day. He gave me my personal trifecta of memories. Ties in with my childhood, my Granny, & my son. RIP Felix you will be missed. 

James "Jimmy" Hampton

 

        Though he was born in Oklahoma City, he was raised here in Dallas from an early age. He was as Texan as any of us. For me personally I became a fan of Jimmy's (as he's known by his friends) at a young age. From his appearance on the Dukes of Hazzard and the awesome movie Hangar 18. Not to mention watching reruns of F-Troop with my Granny. My fandom only increased from there. I personally have never met anyone that hasn't seen a production that Jimmy has been a part of. About 20 years ago, I wrote a letter to Jimmy asking him for his autograph and telling him about my love of Hangar 18. He sent me a wonderful photo of he and Gary Collins signed to me. To which I still have. A few years later I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jimmy and his wonderful wife Mary at a local convention. After lengthy conversations over the years a friendship was formed. Every year Jimmy, Mary, and I would exchange Christmas cards. We would always keep in touch, either by email or FB if in person wasn't possible. A while back, I was advised of Jimmy's health and him not being able to attend conventions anymore. But I still would check in to see how they were doing. Though Jimmy, Mary, & I weren't as close as others, I still considered them good friends. Sadly Jimmy passed away yesterday. I would be lying if I say I didn't start crying when I found out. He was a wonderful person and he will surely be missed. It was an honor to know him in the time that I did. My best to his family. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the  Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.