I won't even try to be a poser and say that I read the man's work for years. Much like most knowledge I've acquired, I learned of him through a movie. That's not to say that after watching "American Splendor" that I didn't remember the funky, disheveled guy from "David Letterman", but I was a teen and didn't realize who the hell he was. What I recalled was that he gave Dave infinite crap when he was on the show and didn't seem to mind being subject to ridicule for the sake of the crowd's enjoyment.
Once his existence fully manifested in my brain,I found his story beyond inspiring. Here was this amazing, prolific story teller working as a medical records clerk and as I sat in my cubicle day after day with the same aspirations, he made me believe it was possible. That regular schlubs such as ourselves had a voice that may actually intrigue folks. Well...in his case anyways. Mine is still yet to be seen.
Cleveland now has something to be sad about as they have lost a real "King" of entertainment.
