On the Passing of Ray Walston

Aliens have not fared well on television, largely portrayed as either extremely menacing antagonists to the human race (witness V or Earth: Final Conflict), or played solely for laughs, the ultimate sitcom buffoon (witness A.L.F. or Mork and Mindy). There have been, however, aliens who portrayed with a sense of style and dignity.

Ray Walston gave us such a character. AS "Uncle Martin" on the very old t.v. series My Favorite Martian, he portrayed one of the earliest weekly visitors to Earth with wit and charm. how many of us remember the antennae that appeared from "inside" his skull to render him invisible, or that pointed finger the moved objects magically through the air? He was neither menacing to our world, nor was he the clown, at the butt end of all of our jokes. Ray Walston's portrayal was one of fun, and understanding of the humans with which he was trapped. Rarely did Walston sink to any stereotypes, or to any outlandish behavior. He showed us that simply because we were different, we weren't something to be feared and avoided. I personally credit Ray Walston, and Bill Bixby by extension, with shaping some of my own earlier and lasting attitude of tolerance.

After My Favorite Martian, Ray Walston went on to a variety of projects, and I was always thrilled to run across him in some endeavor or other (notably Silver Streak and Picket Fences). With the quirky Picket Fences and the delightful Damn Yankees, Walston continued to show his ability to play someone not completely connected to our concept of this world. I consider it ironic that for his last feature film, he had a role in the movie remake of My Favorite Martian.

Ray Walston passed away on January 1, 2001.

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