David Groh.

I just read on MSN.com that actor David Groh died.

David was best known as Rhoda's husband, Joe Gerard, on the 1974-1979 television sitcom, Rhoda.

I spent nearly a year working with David on a play that landed on Broadway in 1993 (Twilight of the Golds). David was always the professional. He arrived on time, worked hard, always stayed in character, and was a pleasure to be with. As we toured and found ourselves in new cities, I got to see a little of the personal side of David. He was a wonderful, loving father of his very young son. He took such pleasure in playing with his child, and seeing things through his sons' eyes.

I will always carry with me one particular memory...

We were in Washington, D.C. -- the show was running at the Kennedy Center, our 'star' Jennifer Grey was dating George Stephanopolis, and so we had an invitation to tour the White House. Sadly, our tour took place the same day as a suicide of one of the Clinton staffers, so although we were given the tour, it was quite somber.

We were shown to the Press Room. The room in which the press sit and wait for the President to come to make special announcements. We encouraged David to walk down the long hall and to approach the press room as though he were the president. It didn't take much coaxing, and David came out of a room and walked the hall, nodding to staffers and security personnel as though he was, indeed, the President of the United States. He approached the podium and we bombarded him with questions. He looked the part, and he acted the part. But his eyes gave him away. I could see in his eyes the absolute delight he felt at playing the part of the president, IN the White House. Ah...a wonderful memory.

Thanks, David.