LINDA WEIDE

LINDA WEIDE, my remarkable wife, believed everybody's age was nobody's business. Let's just say she was ageless and timeless. She had a kind of elegance from another era. She studied acting under Stella Adler, who told her, "My dear, you should only play queens." She was certainly my Queen for 28 years, 25 married. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare but fatal neurological disease. (Please Google it.) Her bravery and dignity in the face of this illness were awe-inspiring. But unfortunately, the House always wins. She died on Christmas Day, 2022, peacefully, at home, and in my arms. If you must die, try to do it in the arms of someone who loves you. It helps.

She was born in Follansbee, West Virginia, to Lucy Gianinni and Victor Ubieta. Her Aunt Lee and Uncle Eli Rabb were important figures in her upbringing. She attended Bethany College, where she received a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

She lived for a time in Boston, then Manhattan. In 1989, she moved to Los Angeles. Thank G-d for that last move, because on September 30, 1994, I walked into Café Aroma in Studio City, and there she was. She had it all – beauty, style, grace, intelligence, wit, a great laugh, a blinding smile and (can I say this in 2023
) legs that demanded to be shown off, and were. That night, I wrote in my journal, "I think I may be in big trouble." We were married on July 11, 1998.

She was remarkably low maintenance. We both appreciated the occasional meal in a fine restaurant and traveling abroad, but some years I'd ask what she wanted for her birthday, and she would answer, "a grilled cheese sandwich." Typical. She was generous to a fault, always putting others' needs before her own. Her softest spot was reserved for animals, especially those in need. Our own animals were all rescues, and friends would tell her, "If I can come back in another life, I want to be one of your animals." Her favorite charity was Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, but she donated to many others.

Understandably, she would become disenchanted with acting, but two memorable roles were that of "Penelope" in the 2001 L.A. stage revival of Kurt Vonnegut's "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" (she was asked to play the part by Vonnegut), and the role of "Mindy Reiser" in the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode, "The Terrorist Attack." She is also featured in the 2021 documentary "Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time," which is dedicated to her.

What a team we made. She was Gracie to my George. After we purchased side-by-side cemetery plots years ago, I asked her what she wanted her marker to say. She answered, "I'm with Stupid." (That request will not be honored.) Oh, dear -- what am I ever supposed to do without her


They say, "Nothing lasts forever," but they didn't know about my love for her. 28 years wasn't nearly long enough. Still, I may just be the luckiest SOB who ever lived. Rest well, Bunnie. I hope we'll be together again.

For those who never knew her, I'm sorry for your loss.