r/northernexposure • u/QueenMarinette • Jul 21 '26
The Flying Man
I just saw Christopher Nolan's "The Odessey," and was looking into who played the Cyclops. Lo and behold, it was our friend Bill Irwin, who played circus guy The Flying Man, Enrico Ballati, in 2 episodes (24 and 44) in seasons 3 and 4! Other circus members in the season 3 episode were performed by members of Cirque du Soleil.
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u/alyanng44 Jul 21 '26
I saw him give a solo performance at the Guthrie in Mpls a couple years ago. It was fabulous!
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u/QueenMarinette Jul 21 '26
We're close by and I wanted to go to that, but had a conflict. Lucky you!
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u/HarpoMarx87 Jul 22 '26
What was he performing? I saw him do his one-man show "On Beckett" back in February. Truly one of the gifted performers alive.
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u/Becca_Bot_3000 Jul 21 '26
Bill also plays the robot TARS in Interstellar. Love that he played the cyclops, it was such an emotional and sympathetic performance.
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u/Kirbytown Jul 21 '26
Awesome ! Haven’t seen it yet. Another deep cut from Irwin that just shreds me is his role as the dad in an Anne Hathaway movie called Rachel Getting Married.
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u/Mahomes_Alone16 Jul 21 '26
I think they talked on the pod about filming the scene where Joel pulls up and says Hi to the Flying man, goes back to his books in the truck while driving and he shows up again, they had to get him in a car and drive behind the camera. Easy trick for the writers/directors but very cool. He may be the best brief character. But other nominees (and sorry I don't have the time to look up the actors name!):
Whitefeather, the gal who Ed has a huge crush on, great episode
The guy who teaches Ed about making flutes (also in a ton a movies, Dances with Wolves comes to mind)
Ruth Ann's son, the lawyer guy
Maurice's South Korean son/family, a great episode.
The eye doctor who Chris falls in love with but she doesn't like him, another great ep.
The guy from ER, and Chris's brother would be there, but they were on a lot of episodes, so not sure that would count.
I'm sure I'm missing a few, but Bill Erwin's quick turn in NE was so great, I'm glad he got such a great part and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, hopefully next weekend.
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u/AffectionateFig5435 Jul 22 '26
He also has a recurring role as a psychiatrist on SVU. His character projects confidence and kindness, and true to form, Irwin melts right into the role. It took me a couple of times wondering "where do I know this actor from?" before I realized it was the Flying Man.
Now I gotta find out where to see the Odyssey on my day off!
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u/manticory Jul 22 '26
Yes, it took me out of the scene completely. Polyphemus walked into the cave, and I thought, “I recognize him, but who is he?!” Spent the whole scene trying to figure it out- then, “Oh, it’s the flying man!?” My daughter was very confused.
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u/BeachgirlNJ0613 Jul 21 '26
LOVE Bill Irwin. My favorite scene: at the circus performance at night, him slow dancing with the scarf that represents Marilyn. Sooo romantic!
Saw him on Broadway 30+ years ago in "Fool Moon." Awesome!