by Ruby Comer

Michael Airington

Hey, Michael, look! It’s Dean Martin. And there’s Donna Reed, Natalie Wood, and Marilyn. And lordie me, my all time fav, Eve Arden!

No, it’s not an old Hollywood premiere.  My pal and I are strolling through the landscaped, tree-shaded lawn of Westwood Memorial Park. This “boutique” cemetery, nestled between West Los Angeles office towers is an oasis of celebs past.  We’re on the hunt today for historic sites and our outstanding guidebooks are authored by Chris Epting—James Dean Died Here and his latest, Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here (yes, stand on the site where brunette Norma Jean was transformed to that legendary platinum blond icon).

My fellow urban explorer for the day is actor, Michael Airington, forty-three, who has created many characters, including a seventy-two year old Jewish grandmother, Ester Goldberg.  Ms. Goldberg was such a hit that last year the mayor of Washington D.C. proclaimed December 2 as “Ester Goldberg Day.” Ester even received an award for working with such charities as Whitman-Walker, HRC, and the Mautner Project. As for Michael, he has lent his time to pediatric AIDS in Washington D.C. and the Baltimore AIDS Project. He often gives a percentage of the proceeds from his performances. Michael has opened for such talents as Mel Tillis, Brenda Lee, John Denver, Joan Rivers, Rosemary Clooney, and Dottie West, and he’s had guest spots on Archie Bunker’s Place and The Jefferson’s. Most recently, Michael has brought back to life one of comedy’s all time darlings, Paul Lynde, of Hollywood Squares and Bewitched fame. Presently, Michael is playing to SRO crowds here in the City of Angels in A Night With Paul Lynde (and on the exact same stage Mr. Lynde performed), and soon will take the show on the road. It’s eerie to watch Michael perform.  It’s as though Paul Lynde himself is standing before you.

After our graveyard outing, we visit the locations of the classic sci-fi film Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and the steep staircase that Laurel and Hardy scaled to deliver a piano in The Music Box. We even pay our respects at the gas station where James Dean pumped his last tank of gas. We end up at Beverly Hills high school where a part of It’s A Wonderful Life was filmed. Remember that famous scene of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed dancing in the gym, when the floor suddenly divides and they tumble splashing into the swimming pool?  It was shot here, and the gym/pool remains in tact. As this blistering warm day winds down, we survey the grounds, and Michael and I burrow into the shade of a lemon tree.

Ruby Comer: What a fun tour, huh?  [We snack on fresh blueberries; good for the complexion.] What does AIDS mean to you?

Michael Airington: [A slight silence]  Fear.

You’ve pitched in many times to help others with AIDS.

I like to help out, and use my celebrity to reach others.

Michael, do you remember the first time you heard the word “AIDS”?

Yes I do.  It was in the eighties, and I was here in West Hollywood. I still think to myself how lucky I was to survive. I mean I was in the middle of things and wasn’t exactly Mr. Play Safely. We didn’t realize that we were playing a game of Russian Roulette.  I lost seventy-five friends in one year!  That is devastating. One day you’d be talking to somebody and the next week they’d be dead. That really impacts you.

How did it impact you?

I lost my mom and dad when I was a kid, so I am a survivor. You never get used to death, you just learn to accept it easier.

As a kid that must have been quite a shock.

It has affected me my entire life and it took therapy to get through it. My mom was sick when I was five but I didn’t know.  As old as I am today, I remember it so vividly. Every morning I would crawl into her bed. This one morning, I did the same thing, and she wouldn’t wake up. She had gone into a coma. When the ambulance arrived, they put her on a stretcher and took her away.  I remember standing in the doorway asking my grandmother, Where they taking my mom? She answered, “She’s okay. She’s sick but she’ll be back. She’s better.”

Why are parent’s so dishonest with their kids?  It doesn’t serve anyone.

Well….[he smiles with a nod] mom died that night. And the next morning I awake, go downstairs and everyone is crying. They said, “Your mother went to be with Jesus.”  And I go, No! You told me my mom was coming back.  [He gasps.] Their behavior left such a psychological impact in my head.  It took me a long time to trust people. The adults lied to me, and it really affected me. I’m better now. Fortunately, with age brings wisdom.  

Oh, I wouldn’t know about age, Sweetie!  I wanna ask Paul Lynde a couple of questions. [Michael dons that zany Paul Lynde voice.] Who was the love of your life?

Harry McAfee, my little dog. For fifteen years, little Harry gave me something no one could ever give.

In your entire career, what was your favorite gig?

Playing Uncle Arthur on Bewitched.  You know, originally I was Sammy’s driving instructor. I got along so well with [couple] Elizabeth [“Samantha”] and Bill Asher [Bewitched director] that they decided to write me in as Sammy’s uncle.  That was my favorite television part. My best part was in Bye, Bye, Birdie.

When I was sixteen, I was cast as a Sweet Apple Ohio student in a summer stock production of Bye, Bye, Birdie. During rehearsals I met you briefly since your show was running before ours. I was such an adoring fan and still am. So glad you’re back.

Paul, who are you going to vote for President?

Oh, do we have to get into politics? [He bellows with that distinctive nervous laugh and simpering voice.] Let’s see, when I took my sabbatical twenty years ago, an actor was president. And since I’ve returned a Bush, a Colin, and a Dick are running the country.  So, I’m thinking we need a change. 

To find out more about Michael Airington and where he will be appearing next, log on to www.estergoldberg.com.

Ruby Comer is an independent journalist from the Midwest who is happy to call Hollywood her home away from home. Reach her by e-mail at MsRubyComer@aol.com.

October 2004