“These things are good: Ice cream and cake A ride on a Harley Seeing monkeys in the trees The rain on my tongue And the sun shining on my face These things are a drag: Dust in my hair Holes in my shoes No money in my pocket And the sun shining on my face” -Rocky Dennis
I took my young boys on a ski trip and made them watch the movie with while waiting to load a bus for home. We cried so much but its a good memory tho.
I watched the movie when I was a kid not knowing I would one day have a child with craniofacial differences. This young man helped pave the way for the many surgeries my son had to correct his differences. ❤
@terriehumphries6028 ima look that up my syndrome is cause by a mutation in the x chromosome it's has given me tinnitus and other hearing problems God bless u all
It's particularly sad because you just know it's coming.. like, the scene of him going to bed with a bad headache and you get the realization that he likely won't be waking up the next morning and she doesn't know it yet. Very poignant and heart wrenching. 🤷🏻♂️ just my two cents.
I saw Rocky with his friends at the Pomona Fair in California. I was with my friend looking at the horses when they walked up. My friend said "Don't stare" to me. I shrugged and said "Everyone stares at me because I'm so tall." I was 6' foot tall with the platform shoes we all wore. He smiled at me and laughed, and I smiled back. I had cousins in Azusa, Glendora and Monrovia, so I was there some days. I wish I had known him better, but it would've been sad to lose a friend so young 💖 Thanks for the video.
The fact he lived nearly 10 years after his life expectancy was pretty remarkable by itself. Goes to show the will power of people is stronger than physical strength. R.I.P Rocky and Rusty.
@jpb544188 Absolutely I was about to say the same thing myself. Dr are human & there's no dr/human that can tell a person when they're goin to take their last breath. Only God
Uncle had severe cerebral palsy. In the 40s he wasn’t expected to live to be a teen. He’d never walk. Or talk. Ride a bike. He lived to 64 yrs old.He died from having a stoke. He DID walk, talk(not clearly), he knew the alphabet, knew his numbers, could sign his name, he was a pro at The Price Is Right. The doctors didn’t know what they thought they did.
I knew Rocky as a young boy, he would play at Gladstone Park in Azusa. Everyone loved Rocky always playing on the monkey bars and having fun .. RIP Rocky.. 👍👍👍
I cry every time I see the scene where his mom answers the phone and it’s the school asking why Rocky didn’t come to school and she turns around and looks at the bedroom.
For a few years in the early 1980s Rusty was my aunt. I was married to Rockys cousin. She was a powerhouse of a woman~! Short but fierce,with firey red hair... Although I had divorced from her nephew by 1983,,around 1985 or 86 she came to San Diego to stay with me on her way to Mexico,seeking medical treatment for her other son which she could not get here. Sadly,he passed away too,one of the earlest victims of what we now know as AIDS. She lost both her boys,but stayed strong. I didn't know she had passed in 2006 til seeing this video,,and although it was a tragic accident I can't help but smile.......she was not one to go peacefully in her sleep lol. She went out doing what she loved,riding bikes. RIP Aunt Rusty,be with your boys,you got them for eternity now~!!
You have my condolences on the passing of your aunt and cousins. Just because you divorced from his cousin doesn’t take away from y’all still being family
I am so sad she lost another child too! I did not know Rocky had a sibling! God bless her and bless Rocky as he continues to help the world even in death.
I am so sad she lost another child too! I did not know Rocky had a sibling! God bless her and bless Rocky as he continues to help the world even in death.
I have brain tumors that spread to my skull, which gives me painful headaches, deformed head, pressure, and even hearing issues. When I focus on my condition, Rocky has crossed my mind. He truly inspired me because despite everything he went through, he kept a positive attitude and lived life to the fullest. He definitely left behind a great legend.
Hi IS a legend. anyone can be a legend if they don't allow themselves to be held back by social norms! You just have to come to a point where you say "f*ck people" and stop letting others hold you back from living your life!!
I met these people when I was young. 1971 I was a "Covina Park Hippie". I remember his mom had a convertible and sometimes they'd drive around downtown Covina by the park. One day a friend of mine (maybe Dean?) took me over to their house, we sat out back by the swimming pool at a umbrella table. She did a Tarot card reading for me, while he watch us through the sliding glass window. We were young happy hippies.
I was over a year old when mine was first diagnosed. That would've been in 1990/91. I was 18 months I guess when I had the surgery. I don't know how much time passed between diagnoses and surgery.
@@countryrockstar2008 they say its a very rare condition!!,, I dated a beautiful nice woman 20 years ago for about 7 years,, her sons name was ryan poteet ,,, he had a syndrome called "haju-chenney syndrome",, it was physically disfiguring,,, it is so rare that there's only like 70 cases out of the 7 billion people in the world,, back then,,, only 24 in the entire world ,,, I witnessed first hand how cruel people can be !!!,, just walking in walmart ,, the staring ,, the whispers, ect,,, he was a brave kid ,,, and lived as normal as he could ,, to me ,, its the rest of the world the aint "normal"!!!.. who set this standard for "normal" anyways!?? We are all different !!, you can even google his name and see him ,, sadly ,, he passed away in 2015.. the bone pressure I believe had something to do with it... But I hope your doing good 👍!!! Keep on keepin on !!!..
@@yanceydavenport8657 Some folks have it harder than others though so have sympathy, compassion, and empathy for them because it's NOT EASY out there and some folks need to be reminded of that if you want them to live their best life. Not all folks find true love or even a girlfriend or boyfriend to truly love and it's much harder to discover who you are as a human being when you don't have those things and people who LOVE you in your life! 👍❤Much Love, Yancey!
As I was growing up, My dad would always tell me, " Never judge by the way people look on the outside because they may seem fine and look ok but you never know if they are suffering or hurting from their inside or if they are sick" And that just always stuck with me and I now tell my kids the same thing.
True. When people say this they’re usually talking about appearance vs personality but here it sounds like this saying means about health stress and trauma like someone can look healthy and happy but struggling with depression or other issues could be going through some personal problems work family friends etc
Thank you for that segment. Rocky Dennis was a remarkable person. And so was his Mother, Rusty. This Courageous Lady knew very well, it takes Courage to live. And both of them had Courage. God Bless and RIP Rocky and Rusty!
I remember watching the movie, and one of the things that stood out the most to me was that Rocky did not allow his shortcomings to define and hinder his happiness as he was able to find love and live a largely normal life until he succumbed to his disease.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE to see that someone FINALLY MADE A GREAT DOCUMENTARY shot on the actual locations of Rocky's life. FOR DECADES I have been trying to track down his house, his school's, mostly by driving to Asuza & working there as a traveling salesman. Originally I went to Asuza to track down Rocky's life, but we basically adopted Asuza as ONE OF OUR BEST TERRITORIES. I never found Rocky's home or his schools, but I continued working Asuza because I knew I was close to Rocky. Being a salesmen is not easy, but it's a bit easier when you imagine Rocky's spirit around you as you work. . . :)
Rusty lost both of her children. Her other son, John, died in 1987 at only 32, from complications of AIDS. I do wish Lamont had mentioned that, as part of Rusty's story. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine the pain this woman endured. I can only hope for half the strength she possessed. And I pray she is reunited with her babies, all of them happy and whole, for Eternity in Paradise.
I worked as a pediatric home health nurse caring for special needs kids. One of my patients had a very rare genetic disorder. I can't name the disorder because it's rare enough that doing a search on it might reveal my former patient's name. Like Rocky, he appeared normal until he was about 2 years old. Then he started losing his ability to stand, walk, and talk. He had multiple seizures every day. CBD helped him get off several of the anti-seizure meds, so he was alert more of the time. He was 13 years old when he passed, one of the longest-lived people with this particular disease.
🩵. His story helped me so much as a mother of a child with a physical disability. I saw this movie before my son was born. Today he’s 32 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy beating all the odds. Rest in peace Rocky. You’re a legacy. 🩵
I went to school with him. He lived in Glendora, California (a city next to Azusa) during his junior high years. He was a stoner and loved to sneak up behind people and scare them.
@jlfrench3667 it doesn't. She just wants attention because she went to school somewhere in leftwing dump California. Tons of people on here claiming they knew Rocky.
There were so many fantastic "based on a true story" movies back in the 80s that should have won major awards. "The Burning Bed" and "Small Sacrifices" starting Farrah Fawcett come to mind immediately. Both movies are what I consider a HARD WATCH but the story is true which makes you hurt, the acting is what makes you feel like you witnessed it. These movies were sad BUT they had some of the best acting I've ever seen and really should have got more attention and promotion than they did.
The movie Mask was released when I was about 10 years old. Watching it and learning about Rocky Dennis’ life at that age left a huge impression on me. Thanks for posting this additional info about him.
I went to Gladstone which is now a junior high. They have the yearbooks off all classes. During lunch I looked him up one day. One teacher claimed to have been his teacher and said he was very smart and he would scare other students sometimes.
My younger brother passed away from Nerophibamatosis tumors of the brain it’s very close to the same disorder RIP James “Jamie” David Mozur I love you ❤️ I buried him on my birthday March 18th 2009
I’m so sorry for your loss 🙏🏻 my husband was a triplet and his brother died of neurofibromatosis. His brother died around 3 from tumors growing in his abdomen and he had mental handicaps as well. ❤🙏🏻
I lost my son to a auto accident when he was seventeen. One of his friends who also perished was the second child his family had loss. It showed me that it could be worse.
Wow he past on my birthday I turn 1 on October 4th 78 I remember watching this movie like 20 times as a kid on Home Box Office Rest In Heaven Rocky what an inspiration we should have no excuses
Spent a significant amount of time in my childhood in the Children's Hospital wing at the UCLA Med Center. Got to know John Wayne a bit cause his grandson was in the same room as me. "If you act beautiful, you'll BE beautiful", brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for posting.
When I was in Elementary school in the 80”s the volunteer aide said she was his grandmother I didn’t believe until she pulled out her wallet and showed me a real picture of Rocky Dennis. I hadn’t thought of that memory for a while this video triggered that.. That was one of my favorite TV movies.
Lamont, you're probably my favorite YT channel at this point. ALL of your stuff from both channels is excellent. This poor kid, as you mentioned. I couldn't imagine the intense, physical pain he endured for most of his life. He was a brave soul, and he touched a lot of people. Great job on this one.
I recall this movie as a kid . Thank you Lamont for telling his story so beautifully . I never knew he wasnt born with visible deformities and never knew the medical history of his condition .
It goes to show you don't judge a book by the cover. Rocky was a rabid Bruce Springsteen fanatic and in the original cut of the movie they couldn't get the rights to Springsteen's music due to the owners wouldn't grant the rights even though Bruce wanted it in there. Instead they used Bob Seger's music instead. In the director's cut they reinstated Bruce's music.
I grew up watching the Bob Seger version, so it still seems weird to me with the Springsteen songs. I think "Roll Me Away" was the perfect ending song, and I'm always hearing "Katmandu" at the beginning. I wish both versions were on the DVD.
@@jennyn5692 To be honest, when I first saw the director's cut version on DVD, it did feel weird hearing Bruce Springsteen's music, because when I saw the movie on TV a few times before, the version with Bob Seger's music was played, and I was used to it (I think the home video version on VHS had Seger's music, if I'm not mistaken). I too wish that both versions were on DVD.
@@Robert-nu4vcwho do you think you are to tell someone it doesn’t matter what they like? People are entitled to like whatever they choose and I don’t see where it was said that what Rocky liked didn’t matter.
It’s too bad Lamont did not know Rocky. I did, he went to school with my nephew and played with the children that lived with by my in-laws home. And yes his mother was one interesting woman. When he was in jr. high school he was usually somewhere around the Ralph’s market shopping center in Glendora Ca. after school. When he would see me and my small son he would ask, “hey Derk do you want to ride” and he and his friends would push my three year old all around the parking lot making motorcycle noises while I shopped. He and his mother loved motorcycles and all that went with them. Thanks for bringing them back to me in memory. 0:06
Very professional video friend. My Father always said the same thing. Count your blessings! I have two arms and two legs, a good mind. Thank you my creator.
I saw the movie about Rocky Dennis many times . His strength came from within . He passed on my birthday , that makes me so much more sad that he lost his fight from this disease . RIP Rocky , you are not forgotten , you'll always be remembered .
He actually inspired me to travel I loved when he had the map and put the push 📌 where he wanted to visit. I was 8 when the movie came out but his sense of geography sparked my interest!!
Every time I hear all these healthy people wanting to play the victim card, it pisses me off soo bad…I know soo many disabled people who bring soo much sunshine into the world everyday…RIP Rocky and Rusty…The best YT channel and storyteller…Thank you and many blessings to you and all your loved ones, sweetie…
I had a stroke and I'm not complaining left side of my body partially paralyzed butt can still talk fine happy to be alive like you said it could be worse great video
I wanna say thank you, LaMont, for your compassionate, inspiring, and humanizing portrait of Rocky Denis and his mother, Rusty. That young man lived to be all he could be during his short time here all because of his mother's love, support, encouragement, and fighting spirit. I feel truly empowered to fight forward with all disregard to petty bullshit and hangups. Rest in peace, Rocky. You were a true warrior. Rest in peace, Rusty. Your love is a true testament to the power of a mother's love for her son, and all children ❤️🙏
Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man after his death his skeleton was kept on display in the Royal London Hospital and his soft tissue was buried at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium. So i reckon something very similar for Rocky is not too unbelievable for that to be fact.
I cried when I saw that movie, and I have to admit I’m getting teary eyed watching this, the part when you said he wanted to go to school, also how his mom encouraged him, and taught him how to not feel bad about himself.
Thanks Lamont, that was a really interesting, touching video. Poor kid, what he went through and he was only a few years older than me. Mask, the movie is great and Cher gives her best performance ever, she's so convincing. ✌️🇬🇧🤗
Thanks lamont for enlightening all of us as u usually do, after viewing ur videos keep the great work. Thanks to u for representing all these poor victims GOD BLESS ☝🏽👊🏽
I had a first cousin that had a brown place across his whole face. He had a good life. Then one day he drove off the side of a mountain and it killed him. Just a sad story....
Lamont you tell Rocky's story so well. It was a great movie but I love how you connect us to the real places of his life that bring us closer to his special soul.
I was down on myself all day saying 'Why me' with my back and body aches and I click on your video and hear you say your last comment. I really needed to hear that Lamont. That was God talking thru you. Thank you and God bless you Lamont❤️🙏🏽 R.I.P Rocky and Rusty🙏🏽
“These things are good:
Ice cream and cake
A ride on a Harley
Seeing monkeys in the trees
The rain on my tongue
And the sun shining on my face
These things are a drag:
Dust in my hair
Holes in my shoes
No money in my pocket
And the sun shining on my face”
-Rocky Dennis
The poem is read at the end of the movie.
This is followed by a song by Bob Segar.
Roll me away.
It's one of my favorite songs.
❤
I took my young boys on a ski trip and made them watch the movie with while waiting to load a bus for home. We cried so much but its a good memory tho.
@@debrabaron1909in the directors cut. There isn't any Seger its all Bruce Springsteen. You should check out the directors cut
❤
I watched the movie when I was a kid not knowing I would one day have a child with craniofacial differences. This young man helped pave the way for the many surgeries my son had to correct his differences. ❤
❤
Ŵhat does he have I have crouzon
God bless you and your child❤
@@AnthonyKibbler My son has Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome.
@terriehumphries6028 ima look that up my syndrome is cause by a mutation in the x chromosome it's has given me tinnitus and other hearing problems God bless u all
One of favorite movies EVER! Cher did an absolutely brilliant job in that movie!
Don't agree yet Eric did fs
There is a book about Rocky Dennis too its very good
Lamont, you are a gifted story teller.
@@conservativehippie9736 chere is gutter trash
And if Trump wins, she stated
“If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”
The scene in the movie where Rusty finds Rocky dead in bed always breaks me.
It's particularly sad because you just know it's coming.. like, the scene of him going to bed with a bad headache and you get the realization that he likely won't be waking up the next morning and she doesn't know it yet. Very poignant and heart wrenching.
🤷🏻♂️ just my two cents.
When his mom got that call from his school and goes to his bedroom doorway, her soul already knew, even though her mind refused to believe it.
Watching that part when I was a teenager, it was so emotional for me!
Just listening to him tell the story breaks me R.I.P Rocky 😢
😢
I saw Rocky with his friends at the Pomona Fair in California. I was with my friend looking at the horses when they walked up. My friend said "Don't stare" to me. I shrugged and said "Everyone stares at me because I'm so tall." I was 6' foot tall with the platform shoes we all wore. He smiled at me and laughed, and I smiled back. I had cousins in Azusa, Glendora and Monrovia, so I was there some days. I wish I had known him better, but it would've been sad to lose a friend so young 💖 Thanks for the video.
The fact he lived nearly 10 years after his life expectancy was pretty remarkable by itself. Goes to show the will power of people is stronger than physical strength. R.I.P Rocky and Rusty.
The power of God not people. It's all God. He has the last say.
@jpb544188 Absolutely I was about to say the same thing myself. Dr are human & there's no dr/human that can tell a person when they're goin to take their last breath. Only God
@@jpb544188Can’t say I completely agree (physical vs spiritual outlook) but not going to contest it 👍
He pass at 16 years old
Uncle had severe cerebral palsy. In the 40s he wasn’t expected to live to be a teen. He’d never walk. Or talk. Ride a bike. He lived to 64 yrs old.He died from having a stoke. He DID walk, talk(not clearly), he knew the alphabet, knew his numbers, could sign his name, he was a pro at The Price Is Right. The doctors didn’t know what they thought they did.
I knew Rocky as a young boy, he would play at Gladstone Park in Azusa. Everyone loved Rocky always playing on the monkey bars and having fun .. RIP Rocky.. 👍👍👍
Awesome memory ❤ thanks for sharing
Hey! my Dad did, too!
My mom grew up in azusa & knew him too
Was the movie accurate?
Thanks for sharing … Cool story
I cry every time I see the scene where his mom answers the phone and it’s the school asking why Rocky didn’t come to school and she turns around and looks at the bedroom.
And they play the Grateful Dead song Ripple in the background
Now I’m crying, just remembering. Such an incredible and touching movie and he was an amazing guy.
Absolutely. The look on his mother's face, it's like she already knew as she slowly walked to his room.😩🥺
While very sad Rocky is free to go wherever he wishes 🙏🏻❤️
She did such an amazing job in that scene. She should've won the Oscar.
For a few years in the early 1980s Rusty was my aunt. I was married to Rockys cousin. She was a powerhouse of a woman~! Short but fierce,with firey red hair... Although I had divorced from her nephew by 1983,,around 1985 or 86 she came to San Diego to stay with me on her way to Mexico,seeking medical treatment for her other son which she could not get here. Sadly,he passed away too,one of the earlest victims of what we now know as AIDS. She lost both her boys,but stayed strong. I didn't know she had passed in 2006 til seeing this video,,and although it was a tragic accident I can't help but smile.......she was not one to go peacefully in her sleep lol. She went out doing what she loved,riding bikes. RIP Aunt Rusty,be with your boys,you got them for eternity now~!!
You have my condolences on the passing of your aunt and cousins. Just because you divorced from his cousin doesn’t take away from y’all still being family
@@angeldalexander8717 So true,,thank you....
Awesome comment. Thank you!
I am so sad she lost another child too! I did not know Rocky had a sibling! God bless her and bless Rocky as he continues to help the world even in death.
I am so sad she lost another child too! I did not know Rocky had a sibling! God bless her and bless Rocky as he continues to help the world even in death.
They named him right. Nothing could break his spirit. RIP
I have brain tumors that spread to my skull, which gives me painful headaches, deformed head, pressure, and even hearing issues. When I focus on my condition, Rocky has crossed my mind. He truly inspired me because despite everything he went through, he kept a positive attitude and lived life to the fullest. He definitely left behind a great legend.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤❤❤❤
Bless you 🙏❤️❤️
Bless you 🙏❤️❤️
Hi IS a legend. anyone can be a legend if they don't allow themselves to be held back by social norms! You just have to come to a point where you say "f*ck people" and stop letting others hold you back from living your life!!
The movie was a tear jerker 😔💯 RIP Rocky. Nicely Done 🫡
The crying I did at 8 years old. lol Such a good movie.
You did great covering this. As a mother of a special needs kiddo it had me in tears. Rocky’s mom gave him a full life.
Ged bless you and your beautiful child ❤❤
I lost my son two years ago as well. My son had duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare disease. I'm very sorry for your loss. 🙏🏻😞🕊
@@VeronicaReveles408I'm truly sorry for your loss 😔
I ALSO have a special needs son this movie prepared me for this journey as a child 🚸❤bless you kiddo
People like Rocky are sent here to teach the rest of us I believe.
Exactly! His message was to appreicate the simplest things. I also think that staying true to your word, and loyalty were key themes.
Yes. I believe this too.
& also to inspire cool movies
I met these people when I was young. 1971 I was a "Covina Park Hippie". I remember his mom had a convertible and sometimes they'd drive around downtown Covina by the park. One day a friend of mine (maybe Dean?) took me over to their house, we sat out back by the swimming pool at a umbrella table. She did a Tarot card reading for me, while he watch us through the sliding glass window. We were young happy hippies.
I had no idea he looked " normal " when he was young !! Wow!! .. always learn something on this channel !!
I was over a year old when mine was first diagnosed. That would've been in 1990/91. I was 18 months I guess when I had the surgery. I don't know how much time passed between diagnoses and surgery.
@@countryrockstar2008 they say its a very rare condition!!,, I dated a beautiful nice woman 20 years ago for about 7 years,, her sons name was ryan poteet ,,, he had a syndrome called "haju-chenney syndrome",, it was physically disfiguring,,, it is so rare that there's only like 70 cases out of the 7 billion people in the world,, back then,,, only 24 in the entire world ,,, I witnessed first hand how cruel people can be !!!,, just walking in walmart ,, the staring ,, the whispers, ect,,, he was a brave kid ,,, and lived as normal as he could ,, to me ,, its the rest of the world the aint "normal"!!!.. who set this standard for "normal" anyways!?? We are all different !!, you can even google his name and see him ,, sadly ,, he passed away in 2015.. the bone pressure I believe had something to do with it... But I hope your doing good 👍!!! Keep on keepin on !!!..
Normal isn't "normal" the only thing holding you back in life is yourself...
@@LeadMe2TheBliss I agree 👍,, thats why I pit it in " " ... So called "normal" is different for everyone .,.
@@yanceydavenport8657 Some folks have it harder than others though so have sympathy, compassion, and empathy for them because it's NOT EASY out there and some folks need to be reminded of that if you want them to live their best life. Not all folks find true love or even a girlfriend or boyfriend to truly love and it's much harder to discover who you are as a human being when you don't have those things and people who LOVE you in your life! 👍❤Much Love, Yancey!
RIP Rocky and his mum! xx
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
May they rest in peace 🙏🏿
May they rest in heavenly peace
As I was growing up, My dad would always tell me, " Never judge by the way people look on the outside because they may seem fine and look ok but you never know if they are suffering or hurting from their inside or if they are sick" And that just always stuck with me and I now tell my kids the same thing.
True. When people say this they’re usually talking about appearance vs personality but here it sounds like this saying means about health stress and trauma like someone can look healthy and happy but struggling with depression or other issues could be going through some personal problems work family friends etc
So he gave you the same basic advice that all of us get from our parents.
Exactly I agree
As soon as I get home from work. Im going to watch this. Its been a long time. Great movie
Thank you for that segment. Rocky Dennis was a remarkable person. And so was his Mother, Rusty.
This Courageous Lady knew very well, it takes Courage to live. And both of them had Courage.
God Bless and RIP Rocky and Rusty!
When Rocky met Laura Dern as the blind girl, her parents reaction still sticks in my mind. Unforgettable film for a multitude of reasons. ♥
They were just like Donna's parents in the movie La Bamba!!!
We wont make those mistakes 💞
Forsure! Dude could never catch a break, shit bike my heart. One of my favorite flicks and one of the few that makes me tear up at the end! RIP ROCKY!
I remember she loved horses 🐴 and they had a Pure Relationship ❤
@@jonmacdonald5345 I think it was more Donna's father and not her mother
I remember watching the movie, and one of the things that stood out the most to me was that Rocky did not allow his shortcomings to define and hinder his happiness as he was able to find love and live a largely normal life until he succumbed to his disease.
It was such an incredible movie and it’s wonderful to hear he had such a great later life, until the end. What a great guy. ❤
@@daynasafranek7807🌹🌹🌹☺️☺️☺️
That's true!!! I saw the movie, and it was very touching; in fact, I cried!!;
One of my favorite flicks ever and one of the only ones that make me tear up at the end! RIP ROCKY!
Eric Stolz should’ve won an Oscar for that role… He killed
Yes he should have very well acting
I agree 💯
I agree too.
I agree.
No Rocky died
I don't know who you are but I'm so glad this came up in my feed. Well done
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE to see that someone FINALLY MADE A GREAT DOCUMENTARY shot on the actual locations of Rocky's life. FOR DECADES I have been trying to track down his house, his school's, mostly by driving to Asuza & working there as a traveling salesman. Originally I went to Asuza to track down Rocky's life, but we basically adopted Asuza as ONE OF OUR BEST TERRITORIES. I never found Rocky's home or his schools, but I continued working Asuza because I knew I was close to Rocky. Being a salesmen is not easy, but it's a bit easier when you imagine Rocky's spirit around you as you work. . . :)
Estas loco hermano, medícate 😮
Wow!
Perhaps he should be made a saint!
Can imagine him there waving hello in thanks for remembering him.
Nicely said 😊.
Yes. His soul is in Heaven 🙏
Born with a birth defect myself and thank God my parents raised me normal and be independent
😂😂😂😂You're thank ing god?
They know that God is the one who is gonna make the final atonement to them.
@mbailey ❤❤❤❤
@anitanoecker2569 keep laughing you never what can happen in life.
I thank God they did, too. We need more parents like them so we can have more people like you. 👍 ❤
Rusty lost both of her children. Her other son, John, died in 1987 at only 32, from complications of AIDS. I do wish Lamont had mentioned that, as part of Rusty's story. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine the pain this woman endured. I can only hope for half the strength she possessed. And I pray she is reunited with her babies, all of them happy and whole, for Eternity in Paradise.
Never knew he had any siblings
@@chrisbooth478 yeah, sadly I think John got overshadowed by Rocky. But both boys' stories are equally tragic. And like I said, poor Rusty.
Ugh 😩 Rip to her and her kids...Rip to them
Thank you for this information about Rocky and Rusty.
Why don’t it show him in the movie?
I worked as a pediatric home health nurse caring for special needs kids. One of my patients had a very rare genetic disorder. I can't name the disorder because it's rare enough that doing a search on it might reveal my former patient's name. Like Rocky, he appeared normal until he was about 2 years old. Then he started losing his ability to stand, walk, and talk. He had multiple seizures every day. CBD helped him get off several of the anti-seizure meds, so he was alert more of the time. He was 13 years old when he passed, one of the longest-lived people with this particular disease.
That must be an emotionally taxing career. I couldn't do it.
🩵. His story helped me so much as a mother of a child with a physical disability. I saw this movie before my son was born. Today he’s 32 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy beating all the odds. Rest in peace Rocky. You’re a legacy. 🩵
I wept because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.❤
Thanks for this story Lamont.
My Dad used to quote that.
Rocky was a gift. He is in heaven.
❤
🙏🏿
R.I.P. Rocky and Rusty. ♥️🙏
My ex-wife is a biostatistician who did research on lionitis (CDD). She said that it is still poorly understood.
Medicine needs people with instinct.
My husband went to Jr high with him in glendora CA. Right before he passed.He used to get stoned with him LOL
Loved the movie. Great presentation.may he rip Rocky Dennis.❤
I went to school with him. He lived in Glendora, California (a city next to Azusa) during his junior high years. He was a stoner and loved to sneak up behind people and scare them.
And his mom was a drug addiction. The movie very much glamorize things.
*had
And how does this information change anything.
@jlfrench3667 it doesn't. She just wants attention because she went to school somewhere in leftwing dump California. Tons of people on here claiming they knew Rocky.
^
In my opinion, one of the best movies of all time. So touching.
Corey, I agree.
Terrific movie.
Cher, Eric Stoltz (Rocky), and Sam Elliot.
@@debrabaron1909 thank you. Rock on Rocky!!
Certainly it's one of the better, overlooked films of the 80s.
There were so many fantastic "based on a true story" movies back in the 80s that should have won major awards. "The Burning Bed" and "Small Sacrifices" starting Farrah Fawcett come to mind immediately. Both movies are what I consider a HARD WATCH but the story is true which makes you hurt, the acting is what makes you feel like you witnessed it. These movies were sad BUT they had some of the best acting I've ever seen and really should have got more attention and promotion than they did.
Loved your words at the end . , Lamont . RIP Rocky , and your Mom .
The movie Mask was released when I was about 10 years old. Watching it and learning about Rocky Dennis’ life at that age left a huge impression on me. Thanks for posting this additional info about him.
I went to Gladstone which is now a junior high. They have the yearbooks off all classes. During lunch I looked him up one day. One teacher claimed to have been his teacher and said he was very smart and he would scare other students sometimes.
My younger brother passed away from Nerophibamatosis tumors of the brain it’s very close to the same disorder RIP James “Jamie” David Mozur I love you ❤️ I buried him on my birthday March 18th 2009
I am so sorry for your loss
God bless you ❤
My condolences 😢
I’m so sorry for your loss 🙏🏻 my husband was a triplet and his brother died of neurofibromatosis. His brother died around 3 from tumors growing in his abdomen and he had mental handicaps as well. ❤🙏🏻
❤
I lost my son to a auto accident when he was seventeen. One of his friends who also perished was the second child his family had loss. It showed me that it could be worse.
Losing a child destroys a family. My aunt lost one of her kids at seven and another one at 21. It was so devastating.
I'm so sorry...
Excellent movie,cry every time. Rocky and his mom had courage and love and i believe thats why Rocky lived as long as he did.
Rocky, touched my HEART...A MOVIE, I SAW when it first came out!!!
Wow he past on my birthday I turn 1 on October 4th 78 I remember watching this movie like 20 times as a kid on Home Box Office Rest In Heaven Rocky what an inspiration we should have no excuses
Spent a significant amount of time in my childhood in the Children's Hospital wing at the UCLA Med Center. Got to know John Wayne a bit cause his grandson was in the same room as me. "If you act beautiful, you'll BE beautiful", brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for posting.
Lamont has the ability to make us feel like we're his best friend, along for the ride. Thanks for your videos.❤
Thanks for the story, Lamont. Rocky deserves some love. Great film. RIP Rocky.
The film was beautifully made and very well acted. Cher really showed just how talented she is.
Thank you for telling us Eric's story in such respectful way
When I was in Elementary school in the 80”s the volunteer aide said she was his grandmother I didn’t believe until she pulled out her wallet and showed me a real picture of Rocky Dennis. I hadn’t thought of that memory for a while this video triggered that.. That was one of my favorite TV movies.
That movie was a cinematic release, not a TV movie.
@@ddivincenzo1194 They used to play it on TV all the time, that’s where I saw it.
@@davidaaraujo1097 Exactly!! And on VHS & DVD.
@@davidaaraujo1097STOP LYING FOR ATTENTION
Awesome memory thanks for sharing ❤
Lamont, you're probably my favorite YT channel at this point. ALL of your stuff from both channels is excellent. This poor kid, as you mentioned. I couldn't imagine the intense, physical pain he endured for most of his life. He was a brave soul, and he touched a lot of people. Great job on this one.
You told that story beautifully Lamont. Thank you. ❤
GOD BLESS YOU LAMONT. A great reminder to count our blessings and show gratitude
I recall this movie as a kid . Thank you Lamont for telling his story so beautifully . I never knew he wasnt born with visible deformities and never knew the medical history of his condition .
It goes to show you don't judge a book by the cover. Rocky was a rabid Bruce Springsteen fanatic and in the original cut of the movie they couldn't get the rights to Springsteen's music due to the owners wouldn't grant the rights even though Bruce wanted it in there. Instead they used Bob Seger's music instead. In the director's cut they reinstated Bruce's music.
I grew up watching the Bob Seger version, so it still seems weird to me with the Springsteen songs. I think "Roll Me Away" was the perfect ending song, and I'm always hearing "Katmandu" at the beginning. I wish both versions were on the DVD.
@@jennyn5692
To be honest, when I first saw the director's cut version on DVD, it did feel weird hearing Bruce Springsteen's music, because when I saw the movie on TV a few times before, the version with Bob Seger's music was played, and I was used to it (I think the home video version on VHS had Seger's music, if I'm not mistaken). I too wish that both versions were on DVD.
@@Matto2t I think you're right about the VHS having the Seger songs.
@jennyn5692 it doesn't matter what YOU like. The movie is about Rocky Dennis, not Jenny N 5692. They should have used the music that Rocky liked.
@@Robert-nu4vcwho do you think you are to tell someone it doesn’t matter what they like? People are entitled to like whatever they choose and I don’t see where it was said that what Rocky liked didn’t matter.
Hi Lamont.
Such a sad story. Rocky had a short life but he lived it as happy as he could.
Love the movie also.
I love your no-nonsense approach to things.
It’s too bad Lamont did not know Rocky. I did, he went to school with my nephew and played with the children that lived with by my in-laws home. And yes his mother was one interesting woman. When he was in jr. high school he was usually somewhere around the Ralph’s market shopping center in Glendora Ca. after school. When he would see me and my small son he would ask, “hey Derk do you want to ride” and he and his friends would push my three year old all around the parking lot making motorcycle noises while I shopped. He and his mother loved motorcycles and all that went with them. Thanks for bringing them back to me in memory. 0:06
Do you know which house was his when he died?
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MOVIE. VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL MOVIE ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Great story!! I need to watch that again!
Thank you Lamont. You're a Good Soul!!!
I try 😇
@@LamontAtLarge Hey Lamont thanks for everything u do . God bless you ❤❤❤
@@LamontAtLarge Well, you succeed. :)
Thanks for posting this movie greatly affected me as a teenager
Lamont you always do the best content for your videos. Keep up the good work.
Great film and a very real story.
Thanks for the story, Lamont. I need one of these every so often to remind me that life isn't that bad. Thank you, Rocky.
I would imagine that was a very painful condition
I've always liked Cher's acting, especially in "Mask". She and Eric Stoltz did an INCREDIBLE job!
Very courageous people, thank you for sharing this with us!🙂💯💥👍✌!
The Mask movie is one of my favorite movies hands down
Great episode. Lamont, you never disappoint. I love your channel.
Thank you :)
This was extremely detailed and very informative. Thank you for helping us to remember Rocky and Rusty. Be grateful for every moment you can.
Very professional video friend. My Father always said the same thing. Count your blessings! I have two arms and two legs, a good mind. Thank you my creator.
I saw the movie about Rocky Dennis many times . His strength came from within . He passed on my birthday , that makes me so much more sad that he lost his fight from this disease . RIP Rocky , you are not forgotten , you'll always be remembered .
This is one of my all time favorite movies. Thank you for the informative video. R.I.P. Rocky & Rusty.
Really good film Cher was brilliant. Icing on the cake for such a sad story was Sam Elliot who played Cher's boyfriend.
RESPECT for Rocky Dennis ❤️
He actually inspired me to travel I loved when he had the map and put the push 📌 where he wanted to visit. I was 8 when the movie came out but his sense of geography sparked my interest!!
Every time I hear all these healthy people wanting to play the victim card, it pisses me off soo bad…I know soo many disabled people who bring soo much sunshine into the world everyday…RIP Rocky and Rusty…The best YT channel and storyteller…Thank you and many blessings to you and all your loved ones, sweetie…
❤
Just because people aren’t deformed or disabled doesn’t mean they can’t have problems too
I am a big believer in your last statement Lamont. Thank you for putting it out there ❤️
I'll believe what I want to believe. I believe Rocky is still helping us all, wherever he is. God bless and keep him!
Such a great story, THANK YOU!!!
I had a stroke and I'm not complaining left side of my body partially paralyzed butt can still talk fine happy to be alive like you said it could be worse great video
Amen!!!
💜
In my prayers 🙏
I wanna say thank you, LaMont, for your compassionate, inspiring, and humanizing portrait of Rocky Denis and his mother, Rusty.
That young man lived to be all he could be during his short time here all because of his mother's love, support, encouragement, and fighting spirit.
I feel truly empowered to fight forward with all disregard to petty bullshit and hangups.
Rest in peace, Rocky. You were a true warrior. Rest in peace, Rusty. Your love is a true testament to the power of a mother's love for her son, and all children ❤️🙏
Poor boy. The suffering. Makes me mad. RIP. Thank you Lamont
Absolutely fantastic
True 🎥
You have come a long way, Lamont!
Great Channel!
Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man after his death his skeleton was kept on display in the Royal London Hospital and his soft tissue was buried at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium. So i reckon something very similar for Rocky is not too unbelievable for that to be fact.
Yes he is here at the Museum in Philadelphia May godbless them both 😪💔🤲🏽☪️🕋🙏🏽❤️💙🤍🕊️
I cried when I saw that movie, and I have to admit I’m getting teary eyed watching this, the part when you said he wanted to go to school, also how his mom encouraged him, and taught him how to not feel bad about himself.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Lamont.
❤
Thank you lamont.Losing part of my left leg alot of the lessons you teach give me that much more I want to live. Thank you.
A tragic but heartwarming story and what Lamont said at the end of the video is so true so be thankful for everything you have ❤.
Thank u for those encouraging word at the end 💪🏾
Sounds as though his mom was really someone special also. Good to have this story told , thanks Lamont. God Bless them both 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Thanks Lamont, that was a really interesting, touching video. Poor kid, what he went through and he was only a few years older than me. Mask, the movie is great and Cher gives her best performance ever, she's so convincing. ✌️🇬🇧🤗
Thanks lamont for enlightening all of us as u usually do, after viewing ur videos keep the great work. Thanks to u for representing all these poor victims GOD BLESS ☝🏽👊🏽
Thank you for telling us Rocky’s story. I loved the movie but you gave us more details. Thank you, again
I had a first cousin that had a brown place across his whole face. He had a good life. Then one day he drove off the side of a mountain and it killed him. Just a sad story....
My condolences to you and your
My condolences 😢
I am so so sorry
Lamont you tell Rocky's story so well. It was a great movie but I love how you connect us to the real places of his life that bring us closer to his special soul.
I was down on myself all day saying 'Why me' with my back and body aches and I click on your video and hear you say your last comment. I really needed to hear that Lamont. That was God talking thru you. Thank you and God bless you Lamont❤️🙏🏽 R.I.P Rocky and Rusty🙏🏽