Director John Landis on David Bowie: “A Gentleman, Charming and Often Very Funny”

“We put grease in his hair, kept him unshaven, put a Band-Aid on his forehead and still David managed to look stylish!" recalls the helmer, who worked with the actor-musician on ‘Into the Night’ and an episode of ‘Dream On.'

I have only warm memories of David, he was a gentleman, charming and often very funny. We worked together twice and both times it was a pleasure. First, David played a sleazy and lethal mysterious Brit in Into the Night, and years later he played an outrageous and flamboyant movie director on the season-two premiere episode of Dream On.

I'll never forget when Deborah [costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis] called me from her first fitting with David for Into the Night. She said that no matter how down and dirty, ragged or tacky, whatever she put on him he looked elegant.  We put grease in his hair, kept him unshaven, put a Band-Aid on his forehead and still David managed to look stylish!

A great showman and gifted collaborator, splendid actor and extraordinary musician, Bowie's legacy is assured. But most importantly, David was a kind, smart and thoughtful friend.

Read more David Bowie tributes below:

Ricky Gervais' Tribute to David Bowie: "I Never Forgot He Was My Hero, Even When He Became My Friend"

Cameron Crowe Recalls David Bowie Interviews, Shares Artist's "Self-Portrait"

Photographer Frank W. Ockenfels 3 on Shooting David Bowie: "He Always Wanted to Be More About the Now Than Anything"

Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker Fondly Recalls the Making of David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' Concert Film

Director Richard Shepard Remembers David Bowie: "He Was Just This Beam of Light"