"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

New York Minute

Crowded and muggy on the subway platform during rush hour yesterday when a train rolled into the station so I decided to wait for the next one. I stood back from the open doors and let people jam their way into the car. I looked inside the open door and saw Seth Gilliam, an actor I know as Ellis Carver from “The Wire.” He was looking at the ground, just another guy sweating in a crowded subway car.  When he looked up we made eye contact. I mouthed “Thank You” to him, pressed my palms together and bowed my head. When I opened my eyes and looked back at him he smiled and nodded. The doors closed and the train pulled out of the station.

When you are on a show like “The Wire” I’m sure you never really escape it. Anyhow, I didn’t say a word to him but I know he knew what why I was thanking him.

Categories:  Life in New York  Memoir  New York Minute  NYC

Tags:  Seth Gilliam  the wire

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5 comments

1 Ben   ~  May 22, 2013 9:05 am

On our way back from LAX a few weeks ago, we're waiting in line for security. The guy was running sctick, saying "regular only" which I guess meant not first class folks, but I took the joke as digestive. So I said, "Yup, I'm feeling regular today.." Haha.

So we're standing next to this small black woman with long blond hair and hat. My wife touches her shoulder and says. "Wow, anyone ever tell you you look just like Erica Badu?" The lady says, "I AM Erica Badu. And I'm not regular." And she walked away to the first class section with no line.

2 Ben   ~  May 22, 2013 9:05 am

Only saw the first episode of The Wire. Gotta get to that one sometime.

3 NoamSane   ~  May 22, 2013 9:48 am

Nice work, Alex. I never think of the right thing to say at the time. I saw Andre Royo (Bubbles from the Wire) in the Village one time. We were walking opposite directions, so I didn't have much time to think and I ended up just staring at him. I don't want to bug folks, but it is nice to show appreciation.

4 Alex Belth   ~  May 22, 2013 10:22 am

3) My go-to response is just to say thank you as a way of showing appreciation. Unless you are rudely interrupting someone I think hearing that kind of direct compliment would make anyone's day.

1) That's a classic story. But in saying she's not regular she proves how regular she is. "The Wire" is worth the investment of time.

5 thelarmis   ~  May 22, 2013 12:52 pm

[4] i do a similar "thank you" type of thing in that situation, as well.

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