Hello to everyone, on this memorable, and special day, Freddie's, 53rd
birthday! Just as many of you, I always am thinking about my friend, on his
b-day. He was such a trip! And, so much fun, to be around! I feel
honored, to have been so close to him. Closer, than anyone knew, which
included, James Komack, "Chico & The Man's" executive producer, his
management team, including Ron Di Blasio, his wife, Kathy, and even NBC.
But only his Mom, Maria Pruetzel knew, how close Freddie and I were. She
was all for, me being his closest friend. You see, Freddie had many, many,
"hangers-on", and "groupies", but true friends, who wanted nothing from him,
except his friendship...there was me, and I do believe, that David Brenner,
and Bill Cosby, loved Freddie as well, and cared much about him.
They were seasoned vets, who saw trouble coming Freddie's way, unless he was
to change his ways, and people he hung with. David and I spoke on several
occasions, when he was to host or be on, the Johnny Carson Show, and he
would tell me, that Freddie was heading for disaster, unless he changed his
ways. Bill loved Freddie and saw him, as a bright and funny comedian, who
was taking the country by storm, but also felt, Freddie was heading in the
wrong direction, by some of his moves.
Remember, David and Bill were seasoned veterans in the comedy arena, and
they had seen much, in their day, and they tried to warn Freddie of the
pitfalls. They truly loved, and cared for Freddie, but Freddie was young,
talented, and very, very popular, and was on the Titanic, heading for the
iceberg, and like the Titanic, didn't see it in time. But Freddie, was at
his age, the up-and-coming giant, of his era. He was huge, and no one could
see it coming, including him. I know, I didn't.
But to be around Freddie, was to know, you were in for fun, and games,
because Freddie loved, to pull pranks. He was always pulling them on me,
and I continued to fall for them, each and every time.He was something else.
For instance...One day, Freddie and I were in the Chico & The Man offices,
and he pretended, he was speaking to Redd Foxx. He said, "Honest Redd, I
will put it back, just as soon as me and Mando, are finished with it. Yeah,
that's right, about 10 minutes." "O.K. pal, thanks alot." then he hung up
the phone.
Freddie told me, that he asked asked Redd Foxx, of Sanford and Son Fame, if
he could borrow his golf cart, because he had to go to the other side of the
studio, and didn't feel like walking all the way. He told Redd, that he
would be back in 10 minutes, and put the cart back. He said Redd said fine,
and told him to go ahead and use it. Then, Freddie told me to get in the
cart and go with him, that he would be right back. I said O.K., so I got on
the cart.
The halls at NBC, were wide, and very long, as there were many sets along
the way, and people were always, walking up and down the hallways. Well,
Freddie starts driving like a maniac, as fast as the cart could go, and he
begins running people out of the way. I mean, he was going fast, and
cracking up all the way. I told him Freddie, cut it out, you might run some
one over. He said yeah, I know, that's what I'm trying to do.
There were women screaming, and papers flying in the air, and people
cusssing at us, and Freddie was having a ball. he was like a little kid,
and then when he turned one of the corners, he ran the cart into a wall,
jumped out and took off laughing, and running away. I was so shocked, that
I kept staring at him, then jumped into the drivers seat to take the cart
back, when the security guards asked me to get out of the cart, and to come
with them.
I said, "wait a minute, you don't think I had anything to do with this, do
you?" Then here comes Freddie, liked he just was walking by, and says to me
in front of the guards, "Mando, I thought you were kidding, when you said
you were going to steal redd Foxx's golf-cart, and run people down!"
Man Mando, you're in trouble now, dude." and he goes off laughing his rear
end off.
I was so mad, and no one would believe me. Luckily, for me, Redd heard
about what happened, and he wasn't too happy with Freddie. But, though he
knew, it had to be Freddie, he stuck up for me, and told the security
guards, he knew, it wasn't me, and to let me go. Well they refused, to let
me go, and were determined, to turn me over to the Captain of the guard, but
Fedd again, would not let them.
He told them, "Now you three guys, listen to me real good. If you don't let
this innocent man go, you may lose your jobs, because I will refuse, to do
my show this week, and I'll blame you three. They immediately let me go,
and redd and I got into his cart, and he said, "C'mon Mando. Take me to my
office." Me and Redd laughed all the way back, and of course, that rascal
Freddie, got away with another one! I'm telling you, he was a piece of
work.
Anyway, I am proud to have been his friend, and I wish all of you, a very
happy day, as you remember our friend Freddie, on his special day. I also
salute his Mother, Maria Pruetzel, for all her influence on him, and helping
him to become the star, that took Hollywood by storm, and shined so very
brite for those years he was with us. I love you Freddie, and look forward
to the day, we will once again be reunited, on the heavenly set, of "Chico &
The Man". Good night, sweet Prince!
Isaac Ruiz "Mando"
