Farewell, Bob Anderson

I suppose there are a lot of people who don't know who Bob Anderson is, but I can guarantee they've seen a lot of his work.  This man was responsible for some of the greatest action scenes Hollywood has ever known and I find it hard to imagine the future without him. 

He was a Swordmaster, responsible for training actors and extras and stuntpeople how to fight, and more than that, how to fight well.  He choreographed the most iconic fight scenes (I'm going to say ever, although some people might take exception to that) ever.  He was in the Darth Vader costume during the fight with Obi Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars film.  He choreographed the epic duel in Princess Bride, worked on Highlander, Three Musketeers, Zorro, Lord of the Rings, Pirates: 1, and Alatriste (a spanish movie I am longing to see but has yet to be released in the US).  He has a lot more to his name, but just these films are enough to set him down in history. 

Months ago I discovered that he was not working as Swordmaster on the Hobbit and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  How could he not do it?  He was responsible for all the awesomeness that was every fight scene in every single one of the Lotr trilogy!  Then I saw his age: 89.  Ok, ok, I understand now.  But I was still immensely saddened that I wouldn't see his work again in the Hobbit.  I mean, Bob Anderson!

I'm glad now, that he wasn't working on the Hobbit.  I'm grateful that he didn't do it, because perhaps it means he had that much more time to spend with his family and friends, the people who really mattered to him.  Because no matter how epic the film, no matter how large an impact it'll have on a culture, the man who chooses family over fame has my respect for as long as I'm still breathing. 

Farewell, Bob Anderson.  We're the richer for your life, and the poorer for your death.  May you have died without regrets.