Harmony Korine Remembers Late ‘Gummo’ Actor Bryant Crenshaw

Editor’s note: Nashville newspapers are reporting the death of Bryant Crenshaw, best known for his appearance in Harmony Korine’s 1997 directorial debut “Gummo.” The dwarf actor had been living on the streets of Nashville for years when he was struck by a driver Thursday night. He was 42.

Crenshaw also appeared in the 2007 feature “Trite This Way.” A fund has been established to hold a memorial service for Crenshaw. Korine sent Indiewire the following thoughts on his longtime acquaintance. Watch Crenshaw in “Gummo” and “Trite This Way” below.

Lil Bryant was run over and killed the other night. He lived for years on the streets of Nashville. He was a legend. He ran wild. He was only three feet tall, but he was a great basketball player. He had the same charisma as James Dean. He survived on beer and crackers. He would have lived 100 years if that car hadn’t run him down. He slept under bridges and sidewalks. My friends and I grew up with him and rode the school bus with him every day. He could have been Brando in another life. He could have been Buster Keaton. Maybe he was, who knows.

Lil Bryant had the quality of all great mystics: He invented his own reality and transcended his circumstances. He had no specific home. The streets were his home and the streets won’t be the same without him now. He tore it up, he lived it, he was great. Lil Bryant is gonna get a statue erected to him — dipped in bronze — a salute to the li’l soldier of 12th Ave South.

RIP Lil Bryant forever.