Dudley Moore is remembered by most people as a comedic actor, but, I revere him as a talented pianist and composer. Born in England, he attended Oxford university on an organ scholarship and went on to become an accomplished jazz pianist. He fronted his own trio for many years while developing his skills as a composer. He wrote many original works as well as new arrangements for existing standards. He also scored a number of films. He often played the piano in his movies. In my opinion, his music career was eclipsed by his more lucrative profession as an actor. I estimate he was married about four times, so perhaps, there was a need for cash flow.
His "Cuddly Dudley" nickname came from the fact that, despite his short stature (about 5'3"), many females found him irresistible. Not only was he once married to Tuesday Weld, but, dated beautiful women such as Susan Anton. He was noted for his charm and wit.
New Jersey was Dudley's residence of choice, and, when he died in 2002 of Progressive Supra Nuclear, a brain disorder, he was buried near his long time home in Plainfield. He was about 66 years old. Although not quite the train nut I am, he had an interest in railroading due to the fact that his father was a railway electrician. Trains were the subject we usually discussed. Model trains were often used in his movies which, presumably, gave him something to play with during lulls in filming.
We met in the 1980's. He was the house guest of piano tuning clients of mine in Cherry Hill, N.J. These folks had an entry level grand piano, purchased more as a piece of furnature, than as an instrument. Were it a car, it would be one of those low priced sub compacts you buy for your kid to drive at college. However, my clients did have me service the piano regularly. When Moore chanced to play it, he was surprised at how good it sounded. He reasoned that if I could make a piano like that sound so good, I would do a marvelous job on the quality instruments he played. He asked his hosts for my number.
