James Rebhorn wrote own obituary before his death: Read the late Homeland star’s ode to himself in full

After fighting a 20-year battle with melanoma, the actor passed away at his home on Friday

Jenn Selby
Tuesday 25 March 2014 10:21 GMT
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The Homeland actor passed away after a long battle with skin cancer, his agent confirmed
The Homeland actor passed away after a long battle with skin cancer, his agent confirmed

James Rebhorn, Homeland star and famed character actor who had over 100 on-screen credits to his name, was even more of a legend than we previously imagined.

Because to ensure that he was remembered in the way he would have wanted to be following his death from skin cancer over the weekend, he penned his own obituary.

After fighting a 20-year battle with melanoma, he eventually passed away at his home on Friday afternoon surrounded by family. He was 65.

His own self-tribute, called 'His Life, According to Jim', was published by Jersey City’s St. Paul Lutheran Church on Monday (24 March).

In it, he honours his mother and father “loved him very much and supported all his dreams”, as well as his wife Rebecca and his two daughters.

He also pays tribute to his teachers, his agents and the actors’ unions who represented him.

Read his obituary in full below:

“James Robert Rebhorn was born on Sept. 1, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA. His mother, Ardell Frances Rebhorn, nee Hoch, loved him very much and supported all his dreams. She taught him the value of good manners and courtesy, and that hospitality is no small thing. His father, James Harry Rebhorn, was no less devoted to him. From him, Jim learned that there is no excuse for poor craftsmanship. A job well done rarely takes more or less time than a job poorly done. They gave him his faith and wisely encouraged him to stay in touch with God.

He is survived by his sister, Janice Barbara Galbraith, of Myrtle Beach, SC. She was his friend, his confidant, and, more often than either of them would like to admit, his bridge over troubled waters.

He is also survived by his wife, Rebecca Fulton Linn, and his two daughters, Emma Rebecca Rebhorn and Hannah Linn Rebhorn. They anchored his life and gave him the freedom to live it. Without them, always at the centre of his being, his life would have been little more than a vapor. Rebecca loved him with all his flaws, and in her the concept of ceaseless love could find no better example.

His children made him immensely proud. Their dedication to improving our species and making the world a better place gave him hope for the future. They deal with grief differently, and they should each manage it as they see fit. He hopes, however, that they will grieve his passing only as long as necessary. They have much good work to do, and they should get busy doing it. Time is flying by. His son-in-law, Ben, also survives him. Jim loved Ben, who was as a son to Jim, especially through these last months.

His aunts Jean, Dorothy and Florence, numerous cousins and their families, and many devoted friends also survive Jim. He loved them all, and he knows they loved him.

Jim received his BA at Wittenberg University and his MFA at Columbia. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Nu Zeta 624, a life-long Lutheran, and a longtime member of both the AMC and ACLU.

Jim was fortunate enough to earn his living doing what he loved. He was a professional actor. His unions were always there for him, and he will remain forever grateful for the benefits he gained as a result of the union struggle. Without his exceptional teachers and the representation of the best agents in the business, he wouldn't have had much of a career. He was a lucky man in every way.”

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