Rodney Dangerfield’s Widow Claims Mural Gives Him “No Respect”

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Rodney Dangerfield is known for many things. He’s known for being absolutely hilarious, he’s known for being a pioneer of the New York comedy scene, and he’s known for getting little to no respect.

He certainly isn’t known for being a looker. The comedian commonly joked about his appearance in his act, once saying that he was so ugly as a kid that his mother breastfed him through a straw. It was something he openly embraced about himself that became a part of his character, one that was beloved by all until his passing in 2004 at the age of 82.

Now, Dangerfield’s widow, Joan, has asserted that a mural dedicated to the comic has managed to make him look downright hideous. The mural was placed on a wall in Kew Gardens, Queens, where Dangerfield grew up, by Italian artist Francesca Robicci. The artist worked on the project free of charge, which was funded in part by Joan Dangerfield, who donated $1,000 towards the painting.

The mural went up last year, but it wasn’t until recently that Robicci and members of the community group that commissioned the piece heard from Dangerfield and her lawyer. In a letter addressed to all of the involved parties, the lawyer referred to the mural as “an entirely unacceptable image” and a “less-than-flattering portrayal of Rodney, who deserves nothing but the highest respect.”

The painting is based on a photo that Dangerfield provided to Robicci, and does indeed capture his likeness. The mural version of Dangerfield is certainly no Brad Pitt but, then again, neither was the real life version. Portraits in general are tough projects, as the slightest exaggeration of detail in a face can make it look uncanny, and a brick wall certainly isn’t the ideal medium for achieving lifelike realism. Nonetheless, Dangerfield is legally within her rights to request that the mural be changed or painted over entirely.

According to NY1, Robicci has graciously offered to fly out to NYC from Italy to make any necessary changes to the piece, and Dangerfield has agreed to further discuss some touch ups, so it looks like the mural may be staying pending some edits.

While there may be a debate about whether the mural accurately captures Dangerfield’s likeness, there is zero controversy about whether the comic deserves the tribute; There are very few comics out there that have left the legacy that Dangerfield has, and the residents of NYC are happy to claim him as one of their own.

[H/T] http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2017/02/28/widow-of-rodney-dangerfield-wants-mural-of-him-in-kew-gardens-painted-over.html NY1

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler

Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.