To most people Stephen lives on as Flounder from Animal House but to the Nerd crowd it’s Vir Cotto in Babylon 5. I was more annoyed by the Internet not having many photos of him in the one treasure I later remembered him starring in the early-to-mid-Eighties cable standard Midnight Madness which was also Disney’s second PG-rated movie. Madness was a ensemble flick to promote David Naughton before American Werewolf in London appeared. The story was about a scavenger hunt across LA with Naughton, Furst, Eddie Deezen, Maggie Roswell (before she became the voice of Maude Flanders) and a generic jock type as the team captains. It was Michael J Fox’s first big role as Laughton’s troubled, younger brother. Lastly, there’s a cameo of Pee Wee Herman as an arcade owner. Madness did poorly at the box office yet I remembered it being reviewed in my hometown paper in Springfield, IL. I watched a couple times in high school via Showtime. I genuinely liked it and maybe I’ll get the DVD in honor of Stephen.
Of course, I will address his obvious career highlights, Animal House, St. Elsewhere and Babylon 5. He was relatively funny in the film which launch dozens of teen-sex romps throughout the Eighties; I didn’t watch Elsewhere much because it was on Thursday nights during high school. Now Babylon 5, he really came into his own, especially in his interactions with Peter Juraski and Billy Mumy. Stephen did a fantastic job as the put-upon ambassadorial aide who broke the Centauri stereotype…he had a conscience unlike Londo and Lord Refa. However, I fear that Babylon 5 is a cursed show unlike the various Star Trek franchises due the deaths of principal cast members, thus, no reunions or continuing the story a little further. Vir was destined to be the Centauri emperor who’d reform the polity and have it join the Galactic Alliance.
Sorry my tribute and farewell is overdue Stephen. Thank you for all the laughs you brought through Delta House and joy via your Sci-Fi contribution.