Lovable Gecko Succumbs to Injuries on Film Set
By
Abigail Sten
The lovable gecko from the radio and television commercials, injured last Thursday after a film shoot, has passed away, according to a source at Animal Medical Center, Honolulu, Hi. The Gecko, who's real name is Mel Seligman, had just wrapped up filming a commercial, surfing at Waikiki, and posing for pictures beside the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, when the tragic accident occurred.
One witness at the scene said ".We were just wrapping up and putting away equipment. I thought Mel the gecko had left with some friends when one of the lighting guys was moving some equipment and he stepped backward onto the gecko, it was horrible."
"He didn't even see him."
"It wasn't really his fault, it was an accident, he didn't even see him." The equipment operator, whose name is being withheld, said "I'm devastated. I can't believe I did such a stupid thing!!" "We were taking down the set and packing up the equipment, there were people running around everywhere."
Gecko's were all over the place
"We were filming the commercial on Waikiki, and well, this is Hawaii, there are geckos all over the place, on the beach, in the restaurants, hotel rooms, I even saw one on the ceiling." Many people were gathered on the beach in the evening to remember the famous gecko whose cute smile and adorable accent will be remembered for all time.
Fondly remembered
I interviewed several people who had worked with Mr. Seligman and everyone I spoke with had great things to say about him. Tom Johnson and his wife Tracy recalled "We would spend the evenings after filming just partying on the beach, or sitting watching the sunset, and Mel would play the ukulele and sing Hawaiian folk songs and tell stories of his travels and his plans for the future."
Renaissance Gecko
Most people didn't know who Mel was, only what they saw on the television. " He was a great guy, a gecko's gecko, and he had a great sense of humor and irony which really showed through in his work." He was very talented in many areas and had a broad range of interests including sailing, aviation, and baseball. He could play several instruments and even wrote compositions for piano and guitar."
A private service will be held next Friday at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, Ca. Mel Seligman leaves behind a Wife Teresa, 86 children, 1,324 brothers and sisters, and millions of adoring fans.
In lieu of flower, please send crickets.
