Hampton Habitues

You’d think after all these years covering people in the public eye, that the shine would wear a bit. Well, it hasn’t. I still get such a kick out of seeing our friends and neighbors when they pop up on my TV or computer screen, at the movies or on the stage. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so much talent.

One such great guy is Bridgehampton’s Harris Yulin, who is definitely not slowing down. After recently catching him on “Murphy Brown” and “Ozark,” I decided a little investigating was in order to see what else he’s been up to. Good thing too, because this guy is everywhere!

Yulin recently portrayed Professor Talbot in an all-too-familiar 2018-type role in #MurphyToo last month on CBS, and is currently starring as Buddy Dieker on Netflix’s big hit “Ozark.” But the fun doesn’t stop there for this very busy working actor. In 2018 alone, he’s been seen in the films “Wanderland” and the October release “All Square” as well as the television shows “Billions” on Showtime and “For the People” on ABC.

Also, happily seen on my small screen of late: Sag Harbor’s Mercedes Ruehl, who showed up on CBS’s “Bull” last month as Judge Tessa Hudson. Having just run into the Academy Award-winner at the Sag Harbor Post office, where she graciously held the door for me (thanks!), I hope to see her again soon in real life, and of course in another juicy role. For now, we can all catch her as Connie Teresi, the wife of a confidential informant on the Starz channel’s “Power” series, which will air its sixth season next summer.

There’s also a whole heckuva lot of our favorite East End stage luminaries and multi-award winners in the spotlight right now. Yay for them.

Gotta give a giant “To Life” to “Fiddler on the Roof” lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who was honored by The Dramatists Guild Foundation on November 12. I had the pleasure of interviewing the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning writer, lyricist, and composer and East Hampton resident a few years back and was absolutely smitten with this wonderful man and his equally matched wife, Margery. All recognition is well deserved and couldn’t go to a more amazing, funny and humble person. Huzzah!

Then there’s East Hamptons’ Nathan Lane, who will return to Broadway—not soon enough! — in “Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus” at the Booth Theater, with previews starting in March. The show also stars Andrea Martin, and the two of these theater geniuses will be playing a pair of servants tasked with cleaning up all the corpses. Written by Taylor Mac and directed by George Wolfe, the comedy opens on April 11.

Lane’s “The Producers” co-star Matthew Broderick, who has a home in Amagansett with wife Sarah Jessica Parker, has also been keeping himself very, very busy. 2018 appearances include a guest-starring role on ABC’s “The Conners” and FX’s “Better Things,” where he has a recurring role. There’s a slew of film work on the slate too, including the films “Wonder Park,” “The Gettysburg Address,” “Beautiful Darkness” and “Lazy Susan.” And, most exciting, he’s currently in pre-production for the Netflix series “Daybreak,” which will air next year. In that 10-episode dramedy, he’ll play Burr, a principal who prides himself of being buddy buddy with the kids at post-apocalyptic Glendale High.

And then there’s literary god and former Sagaponack-based writer Kurt Vonnegut. The late author is getting his due right now on Broadway with a limited run of “Happy Birthday, Wanda June.” The dark comedy, which takes a searing look at toxic masculinity and American exceptionalism, did so well at the Gene Frankel Theater downtown that it extended its run by five weeks and moved to The Duke on 42nd Street. The Wheelhouse Theater Company’s revival ends on November 29.

Lastly, since we love to end on a charitable note, congratulations to frequently seen on the East End’s Hugh Jackman, who last month received the Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service at the 12th annual God’s Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards in Manhattan. Other South Forkers who attended the event at Spring Studios included Jackman’s wife, Deborra-lee Furness; fashion designers Donna Karan, who owns in East Hampton, and Michael Kors, ditto EH; editor and Mastic resident Anna Wintour; and former Amagansett owner and current Montauk-based actress Naomi Watts.