NEW ORLEANS — Bruce “Buzz” Podewell, an actor, director and member of the theater faculty at Tulane University for nearly 40 years, died of lung cancer at his home here March 29. He was 69.Althought Dr. Podewell was a co-founder and former artistic director of the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, served as the associate artistic director of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, and was the longtime director of Tulane Center Stage, the theater department’s former summer-stock company, MSTies will remember one of his first roles: that of shy Buzz Turner in the short MR. B NATURAL, seen in episode 319- WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST.
The Times-Picayune has a great obit.
Wow, they say they come in threes…
) to help our users cope with "trolls" and other commenters whom they find annoying. Go to our
I hope a trumpeter plays “Flight of the Bumblebee” at his funeral. RIP Dr. Buzz.
Holy crud! A mass extinction in the MST3K universe. RIP to all you guys.
*Doctor* Podewell. The next time I watch Mr. B, I’ll have a lot more respect for him.
Rest in peace, Dr. P.
Guess I know what I’m watching tonight… wonder if anyone reached out to him about the MST3king of one of his first roles?
With that kind of record (that *is* a terrific obit), I’m sure he laughed it off.
Buzz Podewell…I will always remember you as the boy who had a strange woman/man magically appear in your bedroom who helped you become a better horn blower. Third star :star: added to the Rolodex this week..RIP
Wow, Buzz was named Buzz in real life. And he was a respected Shakespearean scholar and director. Mind blown. RIP Doctor, and thanks for being part of the best MST3k short. You should feel like a happy king!
In high school I had a student teacher who said one of his professors was in a MST3K short, I assume this was him.
I’m very sorry to hear this. But what a coincidence, last night I was watching War of the Colossal Beast. At least, now he doesn’t need to was his horn every day.
War of the Colossal Beast/ Mr B Natural was the first MST3K episode I ever watched and still holds a place in my heart. So to you Mr. Podewll: Now cracks a MSTie’s heart. Good night sweet Buzz and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Thanks for the laughs, sir.
Wow, I just got back from a business trip to New Orleans this morning. Had I only known while I was there…
This amateur trumpet player salutes you, Buzz. RIP.
R.I.P. Buzz. You truly were no “slacker,” even though you played one in Mr. B. Natural!
Ouch
Okay, we did not need to know this one.
“Child actors,” like 60s rock & pop icons are not allowed to age.
They have to stay as young as we were when we first saw them.
Yeah. Next we’ll hear that Mick Jagger has retired!
“Forget music, I want to dance!”
Dr. Podewell?!
New Respect!
… played banjo?!
New Hero!!
We’ll always love ya’, Dr. Buzz :)
Safe from Mr. B’s appearances at last!
RIP Buzz.
Sad to learn of Buzz’s passing but happy to learn he had a long, full life and even happier to learn his name was really “Buzz”!
Even sadder to know that his soul will be eternally tormented by Mr. B gadding about in front of a giant musical staff.
Maybe now we can investigate his locker to find out why they call him “Buzz.”
Farewll, Buzzy. You may have been a king of Shakeperian things, but to us Mustachers, you were the king of the four string banjo.
You are one of my heroes. I’ll never play the plectrum on your tuning – but I’ll never forget that you tried to cure me.
Your contributions to music and life speak for themslves.
TJ
I’ve attended two Tulane Shakespeare Festival productions (Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night) and I must say they were top notch productions. If only I had known. RIP sir.
Oh Buzz… Mr. B worked “his” magic on you, for sure…
So long…
That guy had a way with a ballad.
I disagree Buzz will be tormented in heaven… Mr. B went to a different place altogether!!
I remember Buzz well. He and I were the same age, and in 1952 I remember him appearing on NBC-TV’s Hawkins Falls as a troubled lad named Chuck, who was befriended by Roy Drewer (aka Corey, nee Bettert). Buzz actually played Roy briefly succeeding Bruce Dane, son of Frank Dane, but was succeeded in turn by Ronald Holme. Buzz was a great child actor. May you rest in peace, Buzz, and thanks! Oh, and I remember Buzz as the young assistant to Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert).