Today's Mostly True Short Story. Brando Being Brando

by F LoBuono

Some people reach a level of fame and success that they can be easily identify by only one name: Pele', Sinatra, Einstein, Churchill. The list is considerable and, yet, at the same time, exclusive. There is a need for just a single identifier because there can be only one.

This concept was reinforced the other day in a conversation with my good friend, Loren Korevec. Loren was the piano player at the legendary New York eatery, Elaine's, during it's glory days of the late 1980's and 90's. He related this story to me:

During his time at Elaine's he became buddies with the great character actor, Dabney Coleman. One day at the piano they were discussing how many famous people frequented the joint.  It had become so notorious, in fact, that it was even immortalized in a Billy Joel song. The list was impressive - athletes, actors, writers, politicians, and parvenus. Anyone who was anybody just HAD to be seen at Elaine's. As they clicked off the role of celebrities, they both noticed one name that was glaringly missing: Brando. In all the years, and all the famous patrons, they had never seen Marlon Brando at Elaine's.

Coleman did add, however, that he did encounter Brando once, at another famous New York establishment, Patsy's. Patsy's had become well know years before as Frank Sinatra's favorite restaurant. One evening, around 1996, while dining there with a friend, the front door opened and much to the astonishment of the crowd, in walks Brando. Heads turned and conversations stopped. You could hear a pin drop. Brando, beautiful woman on his arm, walked in without saying a word. He was greeted warmly by the maitre d' who preceded to lead him directly to his table. Suddenly, everyone in the restaurant stood and broke into spontaneous applause. Brando showed no reaction what-so-ever. He simply continued to his table and sat down.

When Coleman finished the story, Loren exclaimed: what an arrogant asshole! He didn't even acknowledge his fans.

Coleman responded: Loren, you're missing the point. He needs to do that to BE Brando.