"It's a fad"

Bruno Kirby was never going to win an Academy Award. But he was the kind of durable character actor who was often able to make himself indispensible to the films in which he appeared. Thanks to him, "When Harry Met Sally" was something more than just a chick flick. The film is best known for Meg Ryan's fake orgasm, but to me the best scenes involved Kirby: when he and Carrie Fischer ditch their respective dates--Ryan and Billy Crystal, respectively--to hook up, and then later when Kirby's character must part with his beloved wagon wheel coffee table to head off trouble with Fischer when the two move in together.

Kirby had a memorable scene in "This is Spinal Tap" as the Sinatra-obsessed limosine driver who tries and fails to make small talk with the equally clueless rock band he is ferrying. He proved his versatility playing the humorless Lieutenant Hauk in "Good Morning, Vietnam." And of course, in "The Godfather, Part II", he played the young Peter Clemenza, drawing Vito Corleone into a life of crime only to become his lieutenant.

He will be missed.