Fred Ward made the steady second lead worth watching: dry in his replies, convincing under pressure and generous to the actor beside him. Tremors gives his timing room to work; his films did not always give him enough to do.
Fi1m perspective
In Tremors (1990), Fred Ward answers Kevin Bacon's impatience with the air of a man who has endured it for years. As Earl Bassett, Ward makes the exasperation feel familiar rather than hostile. The pleasure lies in how little he needs to explain: these two plainly know each other's habits, and neither expects much improvement. We like him best when the humour gets as much attention as the toughness.
His first major American film role was John Anglin opposite Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz (1979), followed by the breakthrough of Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff (1983). The tough, resilient presence made him a natural choice for military and law-enforcement parts. But playing Henry Miller in Henry & June (1990) gave him a lead beyond that territory.
Robert Altman used him in the ensembles of The Player (1992), as Walter Stuckel, and Short Cuts (1993), as Stuart Kane. The supporting work suited an actor who could provide both steadiness and comic relief. Yet the repeated casting in rugged parts could leave him underused. Looking dependable was useful for getting a character established, but it was no guarantee that the character would have much to offer him.
Ron Underwood's Tremors gives him the right conditions, including another actor whose impatience makes his patience funny. O. Nicholas Brown's editing allows the exchanges with Bacon to pause without letting the action stall. S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock's screenplay does not need to interrupt the danger with a speech about friendship; the actors have already made the relationship clear. That is a substantial part of why the townspeople are worth worrying about, rather than merely waiting to see who escapes.
We laughed at Ward's dry replies, then found ourselves anxious for both men because their familiarity felt so unforced. The film's closing stretch labours a little, and its cheerful mood limits the fright. Neither fault comes from the partnership, which remains the reason to care. Start with Tremors, and give the pauses between Ward and Bacon as much attention as the creatures.
Biography
Fred Ward was an American actor. He appeared as Earl Bassett in Tremors (1990), Walter Stuckel in The Player (1992) and Stuart Kane in Short Cuts (1993).
Ward made his feature film debut in Escape from Alcatraz (1979). His other film roles include The Right Stuff (1983) and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985). He was born on 30 December 1942 in San Diego, California, and died on 8 May 2022.
