In Remembrance: Glenn Quinn - Page 2
© Ellen
Glenn Quinn and David Boreanaz immediately became great friends, and their friendship continued after Glenn Quinn left "Angel". Glenn was well liked by the cast and crew, and when the combination of planned changes in the overall structure of the series and other circumstances made it necessary for Glenn to leave, it was a painful blow for everyone concerned. Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia) described Glenn's departure as "a thorn in my heart."
Although Doyle appeared on only the first nine episodes of "Angel," the character immediately became one of the most popular in Joss Whedon's fictional universe. For the next three years, the fans continued to demand Doyle's return and to support Glenn Quinn. After leaving "Angel," Glenn Quinn starred in two films, the VH1 movie "At Any Cost" (2000) and the independent thriller "R.S.V.P." (2002).
Glenn's many devoted fans, although we often worried about him, remained unaware of his private struggles. While the character of Doyle was coming to terms with having a demon father, learning to cope with his precognitive visions, teaching Angel how to fight the good fight, and then ultimately giving his life to defeat the fictional Scourge, Glenn Quinn was on a journey of his own, battling against a Scourge which was all too real. The fast Hollywood lifestyle, which has done so much harm to so many talented young people, also darkened Glenn's life.
While other actors were publicly disgraced for their troubles, Glenn's professional colleagues extended themselves well beyond the norm to protect his promising career from being derailed by personal crisis. He inspired great loyalty from everyone who knew him, and from everyone whose life was touched by him.
Even in his bleakest times, Glenn was always cheerful, making those around him smile, even when he himself had little to smile about. Although very few knew about the courageous struggle of his last years, everyone wished him a happy ending and fulfillment of all his promise. According to those close to him, Glenn never gave up, and we fans can say with pride that we never gave up on him, either. The fans believed in him to the end, whether he knew it or not.
Why was someone who was so greatly loved, and by so many, still lost? This is the unanswered question which haunts us all.
In the end, we are only fans. While it may feel to us as though part of our world came to a sudden stop with Glenn Quinn's passing, we do pick ourselves up and we move on, as fans always do. But for Glenn Quinn's family and friends, the loss will always remain immeasurable.
