Richard Fire

The great Richard Fire was as kind as he was talented. I am blessed by his presence in my life because knowing him has made me a better human being. When I auditioned for Stuart, Richard read with me and his artistic generosity gave me a sanctuary to appear better than I was. A great gift and brilliant light, he continues to add warmth and humanity where it is most needed: our collective heart. Love and comfort to those he held dearest. Shalom Aleichem

A dear friend and mentor. A true Mensch. A great Chicago talent who will be missed.Our prayers,thoughts and love to his family and friends.

Richard was a mensch and we went back together into the Paleolithic. I remember our time hanging and he is deeply missed by all of us who had a shot at knowing him. A hidden Zaddik- he blessed his friends.

Richard gave me an opportunity many years ago that opened up a whole new path to pursue and love. I have always been grateful for the faith he placed in me and I will never hesitate to remind others of his talent, leadership, and standards of quality.
My condolences to his family and friends. I hope you can find comfort knowing that so much of Richard is still an important part of so many of us.

Richard was one of those actors who loved pushing the envelope. (Who else would do an entire scene wearing a hat that was a funnel with a lit candle on it.) He was mercurial and electric on stage. I saw, or worked, with him in many productions and you knew you had to bring it because he always did. As a man he was fun, astute, kind and dangerous, some of my favorite qualities in a human being. The world is a little less interesting now. My sincere condolence to his family.

Richard Fire was one of the inspirations that brought me to participate in the Chicago Theater community. I went repeatedly to performances by the Organic Theater at Beacon Street, Buckingham and at the Apollo. That secret ingredient was ever present in all of the shows, Richard Fire. I had opportunity to work in the Greenhouse upstairs at the Buckingham Space while Richard was Artistic Director. Although I had limited contact he was always great to me. He will definitely be missed but always in my memory.

Friday, July 24, 2015

The greater portion of my post undergraduate life continues to be influenced by the burgeoning theatre scene, which was the hallmark of Chicago's North Lincoln Avenue during the late 1960s. At the pinnacle of that pyramid of passion rocked The Organic Theatre Company, teetering between greatness and madness. You and I were there, spaced out, spaced in, and venturing where no Actor had gone before. I imagine that is pretty much a fair description of your current journey. After all, great Actors do not die; they simply go on tour. Lugulbanda, you are the Keeper of the Cube. Vaya con dios!

André De Shields

I first saw Richard as Edgar Allan Poe in The Organic's production of POE. He... and the production... so blew me away that I said to myself, "This is my goal in life ! To work with this actor and this company!" Be careful what you wish for....My dream came true. The first time I was on stage with him in WARP!, he as Lugulbanda and me as Cumulus, he ad-libbed a line to me, "Some of us are gold fish... and some of us... are bowls..." It still sticks in my head as one of the most profound precis of human behavior that I ever heard.( Richard was both, by the way.)

An inspiration to all of us working and living in Chicago at that magical time.

My deepest heartfelt condolences.

I worked on several shows with Richard but never acted with him. I was in "Henry", just a short dead body bit in the open that got cut. Pat, Rick and John were much closer thru that whole movie. I saw most of his performances, and did many posters for those shows. Worked with him and Roberta on "Heat" that he co-wrote with Donna Dunlap's Brother Gregory. Such a wonderful warm human. Give my love to your Organic friends and my wife Pat if you cross paths on your new journey. You have my love. You are missed.

Richard was so kind and welcoming to me when I joined the cast of ER. I soon came to realize there was no one on earth who could rival the Richard Fire deadpan. He was truly one in many million and he lives on in our memories. My condolences to his family and all who loved him.

I first saw Richard in Bleacher Bums at the Organic Theater on Beacon St. back in the late 70's. I was so blown away by his performance as Marvin that I waited outside like a teenager to get his autograph. My deepest sympathies and condolences. His spirit lives on in us all.

My introduction to the Organic Theater of Chicago was seeing Richard Fire starring in a production of POE. His performance was one of the sparks that ignited my desire to work with that company of actors. Throughout the following years we became not just fellow actors, but good friends. His was a rare and beautiful talent, and I will miss him greatly.

I was lucky indeed to have Richard in my 1979 drama "Jonathan Wild" at Organic. His Count La Ruse was inspired, much like his memorable Marvin in "Bleacher Bums," by a shrewd sense of how strong people find weakness around them. This sardonic wisdom was a force field on stage--the Organic and, I'm sure, others I wasn't lucky enough to see. All my best until things are better...

While Richard was in high school in Fair Lawn I was a year behind him in Westwood. It is too bad we didn't know each other until Chicago and the Organic Theater, but that was better than never, and once in an adaptation of Raymond Chandler's "The Little Sister" we played cops who were partners. I am still having a hard time accepting that he is gone, and I am sure those close to him, his wife and family as well as colleagues who knew him even longer than I did, are having a much harder time. My sympathies to all of you.

Condolences.
- As a Fair Lawn High School class of '63 member, I remember Richard as the popular, good looking guy of our class!

Docia, please accept our condolences to you at this sad time. Richard was such a wonderful man! We will always remember him for his loving nature and a beautiful smile. Please know that you are in our thoughts.

My heart is truly filled with sorrow. You were and always will be our creative arm. I always respected you for your passion and ability to communicate so effectively your thoughts. I will never forget that on one day while channel surfing Poltergeist III appeared serendipitously and almost instantly there was Rich on the screen. I began to scream FIRE! THAT'S FIRE!. My wife ran into the viewing area obviously alarmed and terrified...I explained. Rich may you rest in peace. You will always be in my thoughts.

We had talked excitedly at length about his Docu-Memory, and I was hoping to host him for a few days; 50 years of adventure is a lot to talk about. God rest your soul Richie.

Richie
So sorry to hear of your passing. You will be remembered for your courage,energy and drive to pursue your dreams. You have always made me smile.
Holly