Well, crap. Actor Patrick McGoohan has died at age 80.

Most geeks like me know McGoohan from The Prisoner, one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever produced on the planet, or perhaps from his role as Edward Longshanks in Braveheart or even (if you're really reaching) as Billy Zane's predecessor and father in The Phantom.

I will always associate Patrick McGoohan with his role as the Reverand Dr. Syn, aka The Scarecrow in Disney's The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. I've read all of Russell Thorndyke's Dr. Syn books, and although McGoohan doesn't really resemble the literary Syn, McGoohan made such an impression on Young Dave that he IS Dr. Syn. For his work on The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh alone McGoohan has earned a place in The Society for the Advancement of Dave Hall of Awesome. The Prisoner seals the deal.

I like to think that somewhere in a pub on Romney Marsh, someone is lifting a drink in McGoohan's honor. I'll do the same tonight.

This entry was posted by David Campbell, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. You can leave your response.