Consider Anthony Edwards

For younger readers, Anthony Edwards may only be known from ER reruns, and maybe as one of the detectives in the film Zodiac. But for those around my age and older, we know him as one of the iconic sidemen of the 80's. He played second fiddle in two of the defining movies of the decade, and Hollywood history is better for it.

I'd like to start with his role as Nick Bradshaw in Top Gun. Don't remember a Nick Bradshaw? Perhaps not, but I know you remember Goose. There is no movie, nay, no story without Goose. Maverick would have been kicked out of the Navy long before being offered Top Gun were it not for Goose keeping him in check. Yes, Goose participated in the antics, but he never let them get out of control. Whether taking Polaroids of MiG pilots or demonstrating "the finger," Goose knew how to straddle the line without crossing it. Goose was a family man who loved life and son, and always considered them when making decisions. Goose died tragically. He died a death that seemed avoidable had it not been for what appeared to be faulty American military equipment. Maverick was never the same after his death, and neither were we. After all, he was the man who reminded us all Goose is spelled with two o's.

Two years earlier, Edwards' star began its ascent with his role as Gilbert Lowell in Revenge of the Nerds. Up till then, his career was bit parts in movies and some television work. Though Louis Skolnick was the natural leader of the group, Gilbert was a man who stayed true to himself. After all, it was Gilbert who marched down to the homecoming pep rally and demanded his voice be heard. The football team tried to silence Gilbert by tossing him in a fountain, but he would not be denied his right to defend himself and the rest of the Tri-Lambs.

Gilbert's a nerd, and he's pretty proud of it.

A nerd though he may have been, let's remember Gilbert was the first in the house to score a girlfriend, and through Judy and her connection to the Omega Mu's, Lambda Lambda Lambda was able to pull off a stellar party and cement their charter. Gilbert's importance was reinforced when he was nominated by the Tri-Lambs to be president of the Greek Council, and in Revenge of the Nerds II when he appeared to Louis in a vision Jedi-style.

Anthony Edwards played giants among men in two of the most iconic roles in 1980's cinema. We sang with Goose at the piano in Top Gun, and we stood with Gilbert when he challenged the Alpha Beta's in Revenge of the Nerds. It is my hope the younger readers of the blog will take a moment to consider Anthony Edwards. And the older ones, to reconsider him.