We were extremely supportive of each other. So much so, I worked with Danny for a couple of years to propel and garner attention for the movement of Performers with Disabilities in Hollywood.
We worked tirelessly trying to get headlines for the PWD movement in newspapers and trade magazines. One of the first articles I wrote about Danny and the discrimination against performers with disabilities landed on page six of the printed newspaper. I'll never forget when he called me after the article was published. He said, "The article is great, doll, but page six? Who reads page six? They buried the story. What do I have to do, die to get a headline?" He was joking, of course. Danny had a great sense of humor but he had a point. What did we need to do to get the attention of Hollywood?
There are so many amazing, incredible actors who happen to have disabilities. The discrimination is wide-spread. Oftentimes, able-bodied actors are used to play the part of someone who is a wheelchair user. Does this make sense when there are so many terrific actors who are wheelchair users and know the experience of being in a wheelchair?
Danny moved from Hollywood to Florida, but he kept in touch. He was gearing up to go on the speaking circuit to share his story. Danny was a great speaker. In 2013, I put him in touch with a professional speaker friend of mine and she laid out a plan of attack to get his speaking career off the ground. He was working hard toward his future, but he never gave up the fight for all performers with disabilities.
Jump ahead to Danny's death in 2014 and I learned of his death from Facebook. I was distraught, alone and through my tears, I tipped off TMZ about Danny's death on the evening August 7th. I felt everyone needed to know that Danny had died. I will always be grateful to TMZ.com for posting an article the following morning because the story took off like wildfire. Danny's name was in the headlines on TMZ and AOL the entire weekend following his death, spurring more headlines. Every new headline made me smile. I'm so very proud of my friend. He made his mark in our world and he was getting his long overdue headline. He earned it.
TMZ was first and labeled the story "EXCLUSIVE." Danny would be tickled by this note of being an Exclusive. Let's look at some of the headlines...Danny was the number one story for the weekend of August 8th, 2014.
'There's Something About Mary' Actor Danny Murphy Loses Cancer Battle - TMZ.com.
Danny Murphy 'There's Something About Mary' Actor Dies at 58 of Cancer - Hollywood Reporter.
Peter Farrelly remembers the late Danny Murphy, quadriplegic actor in 'There's Something About Mary' - NY Daily News.
Something About Mary actor Danny Murphy dies aged 59 from cancer - Georgia Newsday.
A Spirit As Deep As the Sea: Because That's How He Rolled - Boston Globe.
Remembering actor Danny Murphy's hilarious 'Something About Mary' scene - USA Today
Something About Mary Actor Danny Murphy dies aged 59 from cancer - Daily Mail - UK.
Danny Murphy dead: Quadriplegic actor who starred in There's Something About Mary dies aged 58 - Mirror Online - UK.
There are so many more articles because the story was a top trending story that weekend. Danny's death was trending...think about that one. I could not help but think of what he told me about getting a headline in death. As the headlines grew internationally, I looked toward the sky and smiled. I knew exactly what Danny would say about the headlines if he were here, "That's the way it is, doll." And he'd say it with a smile. Danny was frustrated with the blatant discrimination, but he was always hopeful for change. He didn't complain about his paralysis and he didn't hold a grudge against Hollywood, he just didn't understand the lack of inclusion.
Danny was one of the good guys. I loved the guy and he was supportive of me in return when I needed him the most.
I know some people in the PWD community would take cause with Danny being labeled as a "quadriplegic actor" in the headlines but Danny didn't mince with semantics. He informed journalists, but didn't complain to journalists if they used the words in the wrong order. He was an actor first, he made that clear. But publicity is hard to get and he was grateful whenever someone was featuring anyone in the PWD community. Of course, it was best when they were alive... Danny also wouldn't complain about his age being listed as 58 or 59. He'd probably get a chuckle out of it and wonder why everyone was so confused about his age. He put his age right on his website DannyMurphy.com as August 20, 1955 - making him 58-years-old when he died.
Through the years, instead of using my work as a journalist to get attention for only himself, Danny gave me dozens of names of other performers with disabilities to do features about. He also connected me with many PWD advocates who were supporting the cause far and wide. He shared the wealth, so to speak. He felt if we spread out the field and shared story after story, Hollywood would have to take notice and hire more performers with disabilities. I ticked the names off one by one, interviewing each, and then more performers with disabilities who read the stories also contacted me to share their stories. I had a list longer than I ever expected. Danny enhanced my life by introducing me to all of these incredible talents and so many kind and generous people in the PWD movement.
I saw Danny naked once. I blushed more than he did. Lots of people saw Danny naked. He was performing in a play and in one of the scenes, he had to be naked. He was a fearless actor. I told him I was impressed and he laughed. Danny Murphy was a great actor... if only he had been given more opportunities in television and film.
I know death brings headlines. There are always headlines when people die. Look at Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Headlines. Big headlines. But why can't we give more people headlines in life? Why can't we tell their stories more often while they're alive?
Today, I know there are performers with disabilities who are struggling to keep the dream alive. An actor or performer's life is never easy. It's filled with rejection and self-doubt. Add in a disability and it's an extra hurdle. But the dream is still possible. Do not give up. Work hard and create your dream. Maybe it won't be big or bold, maybe it will be different than you expected, but if you're a working performer, you've succeeded.
A door is opening somewhere, you just have to find the hidden doorknob while you're still alive.
Danny would not want anyone to give up. His dream lives on through all of you...
If you need to spend some time with Danny, this is my favorite on Rollin' With Murph where Danny Sings "Danny Boy" on Danny Murphy Rolls Into Tim Finnegans on The Food Beat or The Best of Danny Murphy on The Food Beat.
Oh, my Danny Boy... we miss you...
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