Eli Gold is a Smurf!
Eli Gold is one of my favourite characters on The Good Wife. He's the guy you love to hate for his deviousness and his inability to accept no for an answer. But on occasion, he also shows a more human side. Just often enough to keep the public from writing him off, I suspect.
Alan Cummings, who plays the character, is an actor I never really gave too much thought. He has an impressive filmography that extends over decades, and I'm sure I've seen him in a bunch of different projects. Your kids probably know him as Fegan Floop from the Spykids franchise. If you're an X-Men fan, you'll know him as Nightcrawler.
It turns out Cummings has also acted on the stage in both the UK and on Broadway. And he's got quite a few credits for voice acting in animated TV series, feature films, and video games. As someone who was forced to watch far too many episodes of the Smurfs in the 80s, the character that stands out for me is that of Gutsy Smurf.
So if it's difficult for you to imagine Eli Gold as anything but a cutthroat political adviser, just think of that little blue guy with the funny white hat!
My hat is off to Eli Gold, who is one heck of a versatile actor!
| GoodWife | TV | Film | Stage | Voice | Scottish | Smurfs | Xmen |
Image credit: Photo of Alan Cumming by Kevin Garcia of Imagine Communications/Flickr ( CC BY-ND 2.0 )
Image Credit » https://www.flickr.com/photos/23542547@N07/12306471035
Comments
Ellis wrote on October 1, 2014, 5:54 PM
Paid £50 for a blue film once...turned out to be The Smurfs Christmas Party...lol
Ruby3881 wrote on October 1, 2014, 6:13 PM
You're too funny, John! Sadly, I can imagine the pornographers doing a number on a Smurf movie....
paperdaisyflower7 wrote on October 1, 2014, 6:44 PM
I love the smurfs:)
BarbRad wrote on October 1, 2014, 6:46 PM
I"m afraid I'm more familiar with the Smurfs that with Eli Gold or Alan Cummings, since I don't watch TV programs. I only know about Smurfs because of the products they were licensed on, and because I had kids.
Scorpie wrote on October 1, 2014, 7:29 PM
The character is more weasel than smurf, IMHO.
Ruby3881 wrote on October 1, 2014, 9:37 PM
Can't say I care for them, They're too saccharine for me. I haven't watched any of the movies, but one can only hope they are toned down a bit...
Ruby3881 wrote on October 1, 2014, 9:40 PM
You might be familiar with Alan Cumming from the stage. He has won both a Tony (for Cabaret) and the Laurence Olivier Award. He's also the author of several books :)
Ruby3881 wrote on October 1, 2014, 9:41 PM
I wouldn't know, as I've not seen the more recent Smurf offerings.
paigea wrote on October 1, 2014, 11:14 PM
I like Alan Cummings. I got tired of The Good Wife though. Alan Cummings introduces Master Piece Mystery on the Knowledge channel. My husband was watching an old James Bond movie and he was in it.
Ruby3881 wrote on October 2, 2014, 5:34 AM
I read about that! I don't watch Master Piece Mystery, but maybe I should check it out!
Kasman wrote on October 2, 2014, 7:07 AM
Alan Cummings seems to be one of those actors who doesn't really court publicity - unlike some so-called celebrities who are 'famous' just for being famous. :)
Ruby3881 wrote on October 3, 2014, 6:17 PM
I don't know about that, Bill.... Cumming is an LGBT activist and is very involved with public awareness related to routine circumcision. He's got quite a few projects, other than just acting - and he's been involved in some projects on the fringe, like the musical of Reefer Madness.
I think he doesn't necessarily court publicity, but it's not as though he shies away from the public eye.
Kasman wrote on October 3, 2014, 7:29 PM
By publicity I meant those silly capers many so-called 'celebrities' get up to. I know there are many well-known actors who do good work away from the public's gaze.
Ruby3881 wrote on October 3, 2014, 9:49 PM
Well, he's certainly not Mel Gibson! I suspect he's a bit of a prankster, though. He's got attitude
Feisty56 wrote on October 6, 2014, 9:02 PM
I read the other day that Alan Cumming has a book out now and just had to come back here to tell you. It's a memoir titled "Not My Father's Son."
Ruby3881 wrote on October 7, 2014, 2:37 PM
Yup! I believe that one's an autobiography, and deals with his coming out. He's got a couple of others too, including one on circumcision.