I recently, or not so recently – about a year ago – read an article in I believe Vanity Fair about Vincent D’Onofrio and how women everywhere were falling for him. Developing minor crushes on the man who features as Bobby Goren on Law and Order: Criminal Intent and who, if you remember this far back, was the giant and mad farmer in Men in Black number one.
But what is it about D’Onofrio that has women everywhere creating fan listings on the Internet, whole Bobby Goren sites (yes, really) that are “updated every couple of days” and more. Why is it that a whole league of women have not only a simple crush on the man, but are actually out there doing something about it, and feel so moved to do so.
Perhaps it is the energy Goren himself puts out – a strong and nervous almost vibrating energy that is at once powerful as it is neurotic and human. Goren is by no means perfect.. WE know that someone (likely his mother, I recall from one episode, is schizophrenic), that he may well have a few loose ends of his own, but no matter what, he always seems to get the job done and in the strangest possible way. He outwits criminals with his brains, not always his brawn, though god knows he has that too and isn’t afraid to use it when necessary, but it’s that sideways lean he does when talking to a suspect, the way he moves like a bit of a strange bird and seems to dance around the suspect, playing with them, toying with them – a cat with a mouse before the big kill. Bobby Goren is just the kind of guy you want protecting you and perhaps that is just it.
I’ve been struggling because I like Sam Waterston as well – another great actor and while he may lack the obvious sex appeal of Goren, he has it nonetheless (provided you like older men) because he is Goren’s opposite in many ways: gentle, paternal, peaceful but still out to prosecute the bad guy and keep him or her off the street and in lock up. Come to think of it, the two men have a remarkable lot in common.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bliffle
I always enjoy seeing Waterston, and the original is still better than the spinoffs. Someimes I find D'Onofrio interesting, but mostly he just seems overwound and twitchy.
2 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
i have to agree; my heart still belongs to Sam Waterston (a running joke in our household), though have you noticed that when he does those TIAA Cref commercials that his hair is parted on the opposite side, making him look about ten years older and totally different (more conservative), which is likely why they do this. Next time you see it, check it out and note the differences. Small things like this always interest me.
Cheers and thanks for reading; happy holidays.
Sadi
3 - Princesa
On Vincent D'Onfrio:
I love him I love him I love him I love him
I love him I love him I love him I love him
I love him I love him I love him I love him
Okay, let's face it, this man is a MAN and even if the seperation of character and human must be made, I love them both.
Like I said on my online profile:
Vincent D'Onfrio can spank me anytime....offer still stands boo!
4 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
Princessa, i admire your courage in outing your love for D'Onofrio... you are clearly not alone in your feelings and why not... he's one hot ticket: smart, (that's the key thing here, i think), but sexy in a geeky way but not too geeky - just the complete package.
cheers,
sadi
5 - Princesa
Sadi,
Thanks for the support; by the way, great article (sorry I didn't mention it earlier). But, fortunately, I too, like countless of other women that tune in on Sundays (and now daily on USA), am infatuated with Vincent's Bobby Gowen character.
He is everything that you described in your commentary...sensitive, but not too sensitive, yet, he can be taken by just the right women (hint, hint...Me!).
Anyways, enjoy the holidays! and thanks again for the quick response!
Princesa
6 - Melanie
I schedule my whole week around the CI episodes just so I can see him, I even keep a note book of the episode, quotes, and my observations of his character.
7 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
Melanie, wow! that's really going all out. I'm not that big a fan, but i do think he's pretty sweet and cool. He has a smart sex appeal - likes to strut his brain, so to speak, and there is something undeniably sexy about that, or i think so at least and apparently so do thousands of other women. I wonder if their husbands know? Or if they would even care (?) In any event, it's nice to see that i wasn't wrong about this....
Excellent news! and who knows, maybe you'll see him in person one day and faint before you get the chance for a kiss, oh no! I hope you do get the chance ....
be well,
sadi
8 - Sadie
Yeah....both my mother and I have a crush on Detective Goren. And I think you are right on the money in your article.
And yeah, Jack McCoy? Same kind of thing, but I love McCoy's closing arguments, he's just so good! I should also add that I am in law school and I can only dream of being able to close like that.
Anyway, yeah, just giving you some kudos there.
Was Vincent D'Onofrio really the farmer in Men in Black? Now I have to go back and watch it!
9 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
Hi Sadie ( we share a name, almost, but how wonderful! i've yet to meet another Sadie, so hello!). Goren is no doubt, very handsome and smart. it's that brain strutting thing that i mentioned that makes him so sezy.
But Jack McCoy is different: oddly, though older, he remains more "boyish" and in this way appealing. it depends on whether you want a man or a boy. For my part, i've had it with boys and want a man, no matter how boyishly cute said male is. i'm not into being a mommy-figure etc
thanks for the Kudos! Greatly appreciated and yes, D'Onofrio really was the farmer in Men IN Black (Number 1), oddly enough.
Funny how we change and how that changes our perceptions. who woulda thought, eh?
my best to you (and to your mother)
sade
10 - Christopher Rose
I love the character Vincent D'Onfrio plays in this series; his moody intelligence is so sexy I fancy him myself - and I'm straight!
11 - Diane
Thank God - some more people who appreciate how awesome Vincent D'Onoftio is!
12 - Diane
I can't even spell his name I'm so thrilled! Sorry Vincent, I do love you.
13 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
i think his appeal of sexiness and smartness could easily appeal to both sexes in a nonsexual (or sexual) way. He offers what a lot of men can respect (smarts, looks, wit, wisdom, and more) and women - the same things but also an incredible sex appeal that comes of a certain confidence, i think.
Confidence is always sexy and it's a fine line between arrogance and confidence but he walks it well, never tipping over to arrogance. D'Onfrio, then, as the theory bears out, is much-beloved in many households every Sundday night - or if you're a real die-hard fan (tip tip tip) you can rent CI episodes from NetFlix, which is great if you ask me because you'll see how many you've missed (startling because i was sure i had seen them all, but no.,.).
I still like Sam Waterston, but as i said, WAterston, while older, is more boylike both in the way he looks and the way he is. D'Onofrio is a real man, and that's all too rare i think and more, too many are threatened my real men.
It's really great to see you all come out of the woodwork and admit these silly crushes (or not so silly because you have excellent taste) and more to see men who appreciate D'Onofrio as well -- sigh I doubt i'll ever have the chance to meet him, alas, and even if i did, what on earth would i say? I'd likely fumble all over myself like a schoolgirl. blush blush.
But who wouldn't.
Thanks all,
Sades
14 - Elvira Black
Great piece! Just a few things to add:
Vincent D. also played Abbie Hoffman in a biopic. Strange to see him in such a different role. You know the way he sometimes puts on a fake wiseguy accent for an interrogation? Well, he does a decent Boston accent for Abbie. Very different sort of role, but lots of that same energy and intensity. Worth a look.
You didn't mention the Law and Order SVU team, but I think they are compelling too. The more I see of that handsome detective the more I swoon (sorry, forgot his name--Stabler or Benson?) And I think his partner has a much more substantial role as part of the team. One thing that irritates me a little about CI is that D'onofrio's partner is such a second fiddle, though far from a nonentity. As you say it's all about the Vincent.
Sam Waterston is a fine actor too. It may be worth noting that he is a bit of a rogue in the series, having had affairs with some of his former students/partners? if I recall correctly.
One other Vincent tidbit--I read that he had to take a break from Law and Order due to exhaustion--thus Chris Noth's appearance. I like to imagine that the role itself is as demanding as it looks, and thus the energy and emotional effort necessary to play it just wore him out. But I would be crushed if he left the show altogether.
15 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
dear Elvira:
wow! you are just a storehouse of knowledge and i'm grateful! i didn't know a lot of this stuff... esp. the bit about Sam Waterston and his students etc (i'm assuming that is his character role, not in real life?) Is it true that D'Onofrio really had to take a break due to exhuastion? I would believe it since i know he collapsed on set about a month or so ago (prob. longer than that actually but he did collapse). Noth is good, but pales by comparison.
Yes, Eames (D'Onfrio's partner) is often held back and is not the main star. i've noticed that too and it bothers me as well. She was also in Stir Of Echoes as Kevin Bacon's wife and a lead role and was excellent in that. She's a good actress (her name evades me at the moment, stupidly).
Didn't know about D'Onfrio and the Boston connection. That would be interesting to say the least. I'd be curious to see that. I know he was the farmer in Men in Black, which is funny but i can see it when i look, but i've not seen him in any other more "normal" role, sans make-up etc. apart from C.I.
Your comment is most welcome and enlightening... you know a lot.
I still can't get over Sam Waterston.
oh, and the guy detective you like in SVU is "Stabler." His character has some serious anger management issues and i'm partial to (pardon the really poor spelling here) Maritza Haritgay, who is a fine actress and is Jane Russell's daughter (an interesting piece of trivia) - you may have known that but if not, there you go.
cheers, and thanks :)
sade
16 - Kelly M.
Mariska's parents are Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield. Mikey was even in an episode sometime recently.
17 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
Thanks Kelly - I knew it was someone like that, but yes, it's Jayne Mansfield. My bad - sorry about that. My husband and i were trying to remember and got it mixed up.
thanks for the correction and Happy New Year to you...
:)
cheers,
s.r.p.
18 - Elvira Black
Dear Sade:
Many thanks for your kind response to my comment. Although unfortunately I only have my somewhat flawed memory to guide me, I do remember back-story references to Sam Waterston (his character, not the actor) and his penchant for his law students. One episode I seem to remember involved a conflict of interest when a former lover turned attorney had to testify in a case that would reveal the indiscretion.
I admire Waterston's long and varied career. One role that is very different from his Law and Order gig is the wise, gentle rabbi who is going blind in "Crimes and Misdemeanors."
I didn't know about Maritza being Jane Russel's daughter! That's a nice bit of trivia.
I seem to remember reading about D"Onofrio's break due to exhaustion in TV Guide (lol), but I could have jumped to conclusions after reading about his on-set collapse. But I think it's true. See how these rumors spread?
Again, thank you so much for responding to my comment. I've checked out your site and I'm very intrigued--I've bookmarked it for further perusal.
Best,
Elvira
19 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
thanks, Elvira, but i was wrong about Jane Russell - as i was corrected here, and rightly so,, it is Jayne Mansfield who is her mother... so store that away.
Glad you like the piece and my site; there's a lot there and a whole Dylan section as you'll see, which has done v. well and got the seal of approval from BobDylan.com, which is great. I'm glad you're going to visit... feel free to use the Contact Link to get in touch with me (from my site)... i'll get the email.
rock on,
sade
20 - Kate
Nice piece you've done here. You zoomed in one my two favorite characters of the L&O franchise, Goren and McCoy. (Stabler runs a distant third) I never realized just how much women like D'Onofrio until I stumbled onto Detective Goren's Blog
Until then I thought it was just me that found him appealing. I'm only 30 but there is something about Waterston that I adore.
21 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
hi Kate - seems you are not alone here...
thanks for the link as well; we're eager to check it out.
cheers,
s.
22 - Crystal
Oh heck yeah, Waterson is just as sexy as as Vincent in this series. I don't usualy like older guys but he is so charming. I like the quiet types which is what draws me to this character, and Vincent's character? You totaly hit the nail on the head with this! Great article!
23 - Merlin
Sadi, thank you so much for the comments on Vincent D'onofrio's Goren! I am soooo please to read some positive prose. You may not get it, but you understand it. I am so sick and tired of the negative feed from your fellow journalist professionals on this subject. It is usually your male counterparts who do not get it. Prose on Mr. D'onofrio's character and the show are usually loaded with "over the top acting", "scene chewing", "annoying", etc., etc.
They do not give a hoot that there are many, many, folks, usually females, who for whatever reason find D'onofrio's Goren fantastic! I am obviously one of them. So thank for at least researching the appeal before commenting in print. It shows you do the legwork before offering comment - and you have good taste lolo
24 - michelle
From here in Australia, I LOVE YOU VINCENT D'ONOFRIO with all my heart, and I watch criminal intent weekly and seen your movies and your just the greatest!!! you make me tune in weekly. let me know when you'll come down under again i hope real soon.. oh, and vincent i'm single.
25 - Baronius
I generally like the actor, but I really find Detective Goren irritating. The usual pre-L&O cop show had the officer who solved all the crimes by himself (and usually shot the bad guy at the end of the episode). Law and Order, and its cousin Homicide, broke with that format. But Goren knows more than any other cop, can outwit any criminal genius, and even finds clues the CSU misses. He's a one-man police force.
I bet that Elvira's onto something. Waterston's character has hit on his assistants regularly, and treats his underlings like underlings. D'onofrio's character treats his partner/sidekick with respect. More than respect, really. He has a kind of formality that borders on reverence - but never anything romantic or sexual. I can see how women would swoon for Goren.
A friend of mine pointed out D'onofrio's physical acting skill in MiB, and I've always remembered it. He isn't just uncoordinated, he genuinely seems like it's his first time operating a mammalian body.