Actor Huffman Eulogized at L.A. Memorial

Actor David Huffman, slain in February while apparently trying to apprehend a burglar, was eulogized Monday by friends and fellow entertainers as “part prince, part angel, part saint.”

But “in a large measure he was also part imp,” added television and film writer James Costigan, matching the sometimes tearful, sometimes humorous tone of the memorial service at the Music Center.

Quoting from a book Huffman had sent him, Costigan noted with a smile: “The fact that it had been stolen from the Webster College library in no way diminished (my appreciation).”

About 130 people gathered for the tribute, which included Huffman scenes in Costigan’s films “Last of the Belles” and “Eleanor and Franklin.”

The 40-year-old actor was stabbed to death Feb. 26 in Balboa Park in San Diego, where he was appearing at the Old Globe Theatre in “Of Mice and Men.”

A Canadian couple visiting the park had seen someone inside their motor home, police said. When the intruder fled, Huffman took off in pursuit. His body was found early Feb. 27.

A 16-year-old Mexican national, Genaro Samano Villanueva, has been charged with murder and burglary in connection with Huffman’s death.

“I could have been happy having David in every production I did,” said director George Schaefer, who said he tried to get Huffman to play John Dean in the television miniseries “Blind Ambition.” But Huffman, concerned that his acting was “just adequate,” had already committed himself to a summer theater play to help “create a new character,” Schaefer said.

Irish music greeted mourners as they filed into the Mark Taper Forum. Stage actor and manager Kenneth Kimmins explained that Huffman always wanted to be Irish and “he probably would have made it but he stopped drinking too soon.”

Huffman’s stage credits include “Quartermaine’s Terms,” “Small Craft Warnings” and “Butterflies are Free.” He appeared on television in “Winds of Kitty Hawk,” “The Ambassadors” and “In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan.” He played leading roles in the movies “The Honor Guard” and “Blood Beach.”

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and two sons, Matthew and Phillip.