The Community Mental Health Council awarded Vereen with their 2004 Lifeline Celebration Achievement Award. 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Ben Vereen - Biography. The Vereen family lived in Essex, but the family can trace their roots much farther back. But when we get the lessons, we can either lie there and pity ourselves in that place of pain or we can move on to the next lesson. The authorities said they did not know why he had been walking on the highway at that hour. In 2011, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.[25]. When the documentary Off the Record, about the life and career of super-producer David Foster, was about to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last year, Foster admittedly wished that some of the personal stuff including details of his several marriages and his parenting regrets hadnt made the cut. California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. His 16-year-old daughter, Naja, was killed in an auto accident in 1987[15] on the New Jersey Turnpike when a truck overturned on her car. [8] According to video artist Edgar Arcenaux, what TV viewers didnt see was the second part of the performance, in which Vereen mimicked being refused service because of his color while trying to buy the Republican elite a congratulatory drink. }); Copyright 2015 . Mr. Vereen's sister, Aixa Clemente, said after visiting him that he was expected to survive. A hospital spokesman, Richard Elbaum, said Mr. Vereen was "conscious and communicative" and was resting in intensive care. However, one of the segments that wasnt part of that September 2019 edit but is now in the version of David Foster: Off the Record that debuts on Netflix this week, is the story of one of the grimmest times in Fosters life, when he struck actor/singer/dancer Ben Vereen with his car on the Pacific Coast Highway while driving home from a late-night studio session. Vereen was born Benjamin Augustus Middleton on October 10, 1946 in Laurinburg, North Carolina. In August 2011, Vereen was named Co-Artistic Director of Tampa's Broadway Theatre Project. Vereen Sr. gave a statement about his son's passing to NY1, saying, "I am sorry to announce my son Benjamin A Ver Investigators said they did not know whether there was any connection between the accidents. Hes also accused of inappropriate talk and conduct during rehearsals that involved cast members stripping naked, ostensibly as preparation for a show that has, since its original 1967 production, been associated with a famous, full-cast nude scene. Vereen Sr. is a Broadway legend who has dedicated decades of his life to promoting theatre work. During his pre-teen years, he exhibited an innate talent for drama and dance and often performed in local variety shows. 'Benji was a dancer and a choreographer with an extraordinary artistic talent and we will hold him in our hearts forever. Your IP: The 73-year-old Broadway veteran released a statement on Wednesday, announcing the tragic passing of Benjamin Vereen Jr. 'I am sorry to announce my son Benjamin A Vereen Jr., affectionately known as Benji passed away,' the elder Vereen stated, as first reported by Spectrum News. Vereen Jr. was 55 years old at the time of his death. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Sadly, this also isn't the first time that the Vereen family will suffer a loss. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Lets get up to the mountaintop together so we can all sing and dance. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Naja was killed in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike when a truck overturned on her car one night in 1987. Vereen gained prominence for his performances in the original Broadway productions of the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and Pippin, for which he won the 1973 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In March, the Broadway Beacon Awards Gala honored Vereen Sr. with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Benjamin Augustus Vereen (born October 10, 1946) is an American actor, dancer and singer. to go deeper inside and try new things," states Ben. Ben Vereen: Sam Gibbs Jump to: Photos (2), 75years (October 10, 1946)Ben Vereen / Age. So let's roll.. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Vereen worked steadily on television with projects ranging from the sitcom Webster to the drama Silk Stalkings. [19], Vereen was inducted as an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity on April 9, 2019. Vereen was probably still dazed from his earlier car accident that night and stumbled onto the road on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Foster swerved to avoid him, but Vereen darted out in the same direction of Fosters car, causing Foster to hit him. Click to reveal The Vereen family has suffered some losses in the past. While Foster is telling this story during a remote interview from his home, his wife Katharine McPhee, off-camera, advises him to make it clear that he wasnt intoxicated when the Vereen accident occurred. In Off the Record, the loyal McPhee grants several incredibly open and candid interviews, as Avrich puts it, about her relationship struggles with Foster whom she first met 14 years ago when, ironically, he was a guest mentor on a Greatest Love Songs episode of her American Idol season and she sang a ballad Foster had written for his third wife Linda Thompson, I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston. _taboola.push({ Five years later, he too, almost died of the same fate as his daughter. Ben Vereen and Ben Vereen Jr. Benjamin Vereen Jr., the son of Tony-winning actor Ben Vereen, has died at the age of 55. What happened to Ben Vereen? Ben Vereen is a living legend and he's gearing up for the end of B Positive, where he plays Peter, a retired professor struggling to cope with early dementia while living in an assisted living. Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com, Indiana woman, 73, dies in hospital after being rescued from rubble of her mobile home where she was found still clutching her four-year-old great-grandson who survived the powerful derecho that battered the Midwest, PICTURED: Cops release mugshot of DUI driver who jumped a curb, killing pregnant woman and leaving her baby born at 35 weeks in critical condition, Bungling helicopter pilot blows over stadium roof injuring eight. There are many trails to the top of the mountain but there is only one mountaintop. what happened to ben vereen what happened to ben vereen. Naja was killed in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike when a truck overturned on her car one night in 1987. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78ba390cb8be24bf Benji was a dancer and a choreographer with an extraordinary artistic talent and we will hold him in our hearts forever. The universe, Ben says smiling, is very good.. Vereen is the godfather of R&B singer Usher and is also the first cousin once removed of former NFL running back Shane Vereen. Nancy was uninjured. Best Review Site for Digital Cameras. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Vereen Sr. and Nancy eventually got a divorce in 2012. In 1992, Vereen suffered three accidents in one day: His car hit a tree, causing him to hit his head on the roof of the car; he then suffered a stroke while he was walking on a Malibu highway, apparently veering into the road; and finally, as a result of that, he was struck by a car driven by record producer David Foster. I think the truth is they scanned his whole body and found a six-hour-old subdural hematoma, and that he would have been dead by 7 A.M. from bleeding in the brain. Good hit! LOL. Age difference, which we clearly have, is one of the 10 but the other nine are solid. Vereen was the keynote speaker for the Boys & Girls Clubs in St. Petersburg, Florida annual alumni tribute gala held in October 2007. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', He said My recovery was totally tied into Bens. Mr. Vereen, perhaps best known for his roles in the Broadway musical "Pippin" and as Chicken George in the television miniseries "Roots," was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban about 2:45 A.M. on the Pacific Coast Highway 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Copyright 2023 Fdotstokes.com Powered by Customify. 20:36 GMT 12 Aug 2020 Vereen then had a stroke, suffered a brain injury as a result, and thats where he was forced to start pulling himself out of his addiction from the pain of losing Naja. Vereen confirmed his son's death in a statement on Tuesday, saying: "I am sorry to announce my son Benjamin A Vereen Jr., affectionately known as Benji passed away." He also has a brother, James Middleton, who lives in Tucson, Arizona. Ben's son by his first wife, Benjamin "Benji" Vereen, Jr., 55, a dancer and choreographer, was found dead on 8 August 2020 after being missing from his home for several weeks. His father. He returned in 2013 and 2014 for another two episodes. / In prior interviews with People Magazine and Ability Magazine, the details and hardships that followed Vereen were revealed. Vereen Jr. leaves behind a wife and three children three sons and a daughter. Benjamin Augustus Vereen (born October 10, 1946) is an American actor, dancer and singer. Vereen was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972 and won a Tony for his appearance in Pippin in 1973. Giving praise is not a religious thing, its a spiritual thing. He made several appearances on the 1980s sitcom Webster as the title character's biological uncle. Sneaky Pete (TV Series 20152019) Ben Vereen as Porter IMDb. Thank you to the public for loving my son.'. Grahame PrattLeslie Uggams / Husband (m. 1965). Foster said, My recovery was totally tied into Bens. [2][3][4] While still an infant, Vereen and his family relocated to the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. The eldest son and namesake of Tony Award-winning actor Ben Vereen has died under unknown circumstances at age 55, two weeks after he went missing. 22:19 GMT 19 Aug 2020. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', While still an infant, Vereen and his family relocated to the . When Vereen was 18 years old, he made his New York stage bow off-off Broadway in The Prodigal Son at the Greenwich Mews Theater directed by Stella Holt. Its always good to give praise and thanks. Follow Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and Spotify. The Laurinburg Exchange reported: "Vereen, an adoptee who learned that he was born in Laurinburg and made a celebrated trip to Scotland County in 2006 to reconnect with family. In 1992, Vereen suffered three accidents in one day, when his car hit a tree causing him to hit his head on the roof of his car, then he suffered a stroke while he was walking on a Malibu highway, apparently veering into the road where he was struck by a car driven by record producer David Foster. Retrieved October 22, 2020. He was a dancer and a choreographer and authorities confirmed his death over the weekend after an extensive search. Vereen has appeared as a public speaker and humanitarian speaking on such topics as black history, overcoming adversity, and the importance of continuing education. The vehicle that struck and critically injured the entertainer Ben Vereen along a highway near his house in early morning darkness was driven by David Foster, a music producer who has won six Grammy awards, the authorities said today. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. We Are Extremely Sad To Report About Death Of Actor Ben Vereen Beloved Son Ben Vereen Jr. 49,297 views Jul 9, 2021 Benjamin Augustus Vereen is an American actor, dancer and singer.. His father, whos best known for his portrayal of The Leading Player in the original Broadway cast of Pippin, released a statement saying, I am sorry to announce my son Benjamin A Vereen Jr., affectionately known as Benji passed away. The stage and screen actor, best known for his Tony-winning turn as The Leading Player in the musical Pippin, concluded his announcement by asking the public to allow his family to 'mourn this privately.'. After visiting Vereen in the hospital several times, David Foster ended up writing a song for Ben titled, Live Each Day.. Dancer. BV: (laughs) Yes. "The theater was my first training ground. News Ben Vereen Cast in New TV Comedy Series The Tony winner will play a recurring role on Making History. Lets get up to the mountaintop together so we can all sing and dance. Ticker Tape by TradingView. 202.153.111.46 Ben Vereen, most famous for his role as the Leading Player in the original Pippin, will soon hit the small screen. In the early 1980s, Vereen moved with his family to Saddle River, New Jersey.[14]. August 9, 2020. Fosters documentary is full of fascinating stories about Streisand, Houston, and more as is Yahoo Entertainments extended interview with Foster and Avrich below, in which the producer/songwriter/musician reminisces about working with those artists as well as with Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, and Chicago, and on the iconic score for another must-see film, St. Elmos Fire. He played college football for the California Golden Bears . In prior interviews with People Magazine and Ability Magazine, the details and hardships that followed Vereen were revealed. Laurinburg, , NEW YORK - Film and theater actor Ben Vereen says his son has died. But as he started getting better, I started getting better. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. This means she stands at 162 cm. I thought I'd killed him for sure. In 1987, Vereens daughter Naja was killed in a car accident at 16 years old. Interviewer: So youre thankful if you learn how to swim early. Download it here. Life is lived on very thin ice, and it all depends upon you. Its hard sometimes because we deal with our human problems, but we must also remember we are really spiritual beings experiencing a human incarnation. Ben Vereen Biography. As Arceneaux explains, Vereen's performance was meant as a critique of Republican civil rights policies, but the TV audience didn't get to see it.[9]. [18], In September 2012, Vereen filed for divorce from his wife of 36 years, Nancy Bruner Vereen, citing irreconcilable differences. Actor. In 1993 he appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Interface" as the father of Roots co-star LeVar Burton's character Geordi La Forge; fellow Roots star Madge Sinclair appeared in the same episode as Geordi's mother. how to make plumeria oil; esthetician room for rent. Vereen is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. What is the most overpowered thing in GTA 5? The following year, he was cast opposite Sammy Davis Jr. in the film adaptation of Sweet Charity. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Benjamin Augustus Vereen (born October 10, 1946) is an American actor, dancer and singer. His father, who's best known for his portrayal of "The Leading Player" in the original Broadway cast of Pippin, released a statement saying, "I am sorry to announce my son Benjamin A Vereen Jr., affectionately known as "Benji" passed away. While directing a community theater production of Hair in Florida in 2015, the Tony winner . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. You never know when the ice is going to break and theyll have to reach down there to pull you back. Incredible musical, the actors are dazzling. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. That same privacy was reflected in Vereen Sr.'s statement. "We're encouraged at this point," Mr. Elbaum said, "but it's still very early.". Vereen explained how his daughter passed away on December 21, 1987, but he still had to put on a front for the world as he continue to do public appearances and performances. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. Hours earlier, Mr.. [23], According to Variety, "While directing the 2015 production of the musical at the Venice Theatre in Florida, Vereen is alleged to have invited female cast members back to his apartment and goaded them into sex acts. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'1gBONguBQWxUHO7UB8Dj9Q',sig:'adY2jZT2lSK-Q8QG0aAFgTcaNl1a5lQu9RLFa2tRY8o=',w:'594px',h:'420px',items:'459395660',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); As for producer/composer David Foster, he had a tough time recovering after Vereens accident and he ultimately had to see a psychologist to help with the flashbacks of the accident. But after Vereen was taken to the hospital, doctors discovered he had a brain bleed and intervened just in the nick of time. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. After Vereens car hit a tree earlier that night, he was walking along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and was hit by a car that was being driven by the well-known Grammy-winning producer/composer David Foster (who was returning home from a Hollywood studio after working on a Michael Bolton album that night and has since worked with everyone from Whitney Houston to Mary J. Blige). You never know when the ice is going to break and theyll have to reach down there to pull you back. He was the first simultaneous winner of the "Entertainer of the Year," Rising Star," and "Song and Dance Star" awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). Is it time Harry & Meghan accept Clarkson's apology and move on? His father found out Saturday he died. His mother was Puerto Rican, daughter of a land-owning family. By Vereen was born Benjamin Augustus Middleton on October 10, 1946, in Miami, Florida. I'll tell you that the night that I hit Ben Vereen, that night and the next day or two after that were the worst days of my life, other than when my father died. "[24], Vereen has since apologized for his misconduct.[24]. target_type: 'mix' By For the record, Elizondos father was Basque, born while his parents were on a boat, sailing from Spain to Argentina. Ben Vereen shot to Broadway stardom with his starring role as Leading Player in Bob Fosse 's 1972 show Pippin, which won Vereen a Tony Award as best actor in a musical. If it were up to meI know the impact of the pain I sufferedI would have said bye, but something greater than me said no.. Vereen had a thracheotomy inserted into his wind pipe to help him breathe and over that next year he had to learn to walk and feed himself again, but he pulled throughdrug-free. _taboola.push({ As it turned out, Vereen had already suffered an accident earlier that day, when his car hit a tree, causing him to bang his head on the roof of his car and suffer a stroke; this was why an out-of-sorts Vereen was wandering in the middle of the darkened PCH. As the Me Too movement gained prominence, more than 250 powerful people celebrities, politicians, CEOs, and others were the subject of sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct. Naja and her mother, Nancy, had been driving on a highway in New Jersey when a truck hit them out of nowhere. Vereen graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts Vereen was born Benjamin Augustus Middleton on October 10, 1946, in Miami, Florida. By the following year, he was in Las Vegas, performing in Bob Fosse's production of Sweet Charity, a show with which he toured in 196768. For his humanitarian contributions, he has received a number of awards including Israel's Cultural and Humanitarian Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and a Victory Award. Ben Vereen, best known for his role as Chicken George in Roots and as a superb Broadway dancer, revealed that he developed an extremely heavy cocaine addiction that was kicked into overdrive after the sudden death of his 16-year-old daughter, Naja. He was adopted by James Vereen, a paint-factory worker, and his wife, Pauline, who worked as a maid and theatre wardrobe mistress. Vereen Sr's life has been punctuated by tragic events, beginning with the death of his 16-year-old daughter, Naja, who was killed in December 1987 when a minivan driven by her mother was crushed by a tractor-trailer that toppled onto a New Jersey highway ramp. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Avrich says the moments that he captured of the musical power couple on camera for Off the Record are among his favorites: It's quite wonderful to see that chemistry, not only in a relationship, but in the symmetry of talent. But Foster is amused that the films glimpses into his personal life seem to be generating the most buzz. In the early morning hours of June 9, Vereen, now on foot, was accidentally struck by a small truck driven by composer David Foster on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. So he credits me with that which is just the weirdest way to save somebody, says Foster. (Frederick M.. In April 2006, Vereen visited Scotland County with a genealogist on a search for family members and learned that his mother's name was Essie May Pearson. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. There are many trails to the top of the mountain but there is only one mountaintop. Ben Vereen, best known for his role as Chicken George in Roots and as a superb Broadway dancer, revealed that he developed an extremely heavy cocaine addiction that was kicked into overdrive after the sudden death of his 16 year old daughter, Naja. Sorry, thats my wife, covering my ass, Foster chuckles. Ben Vereen. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. He appeared on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse", in which he played Will Smith's biological father Lou Smith. Upon his graduation, he struggled to find suitable stage work and was often forced to take odd jobs to supplement his income. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! The driver, whose name was not disclosed, was not injured. Thank you to the public for loving my son. -ILoveOldSchoolMusic, Old School news with a new point of view. In 1992, Vereen suffered three accidents in one day, when his car hit a tree causing him to hit his head on the roof of his car, then he suffered a stroke while he was walking on a Malibu highway, apparently veering into the road where he was struck by a car driven by record producer David Foster. The death of Vereen Jr. comes the same year his father landed a significant career milestone. Ben Vereen, Spiritual Director), Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Vereen&oldid=1128051495, BLP articles lacking sources from September 2014, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Internet Off-Broadway Database person ID same as Wikidata, Articles with dead external links from October 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode: "The Life and Death of Chick Sterling", Outstanding Supporting Actor in Variety or Music, Outstanding Lead Actor Drama or Comedy Series, This page was last edited on 18 December 2022, at 03:33. Its always good to give praise and thanks. Vereen gained prominence for his performances in the original Broadway productions of the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar , for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and Pippin , for which he won the 1973 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In 1976, Vereen appeared as a guest star on the first season of The Muppet Show, singing two songs. Vereen Sr's career in entertainment spans over 50 years of theater, film and TV performances. It was absolutely the worst. ), McPhee is 34 years younger than Foster and is his fifth wife, but against all odds, their union seems to be going strong so far. It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and . Before the finale, ABC cut the live performance, generating confusion and anger from viewers at home. Vereen had a thracheostomy inserted into his wind pipe to help him breathe and over that next year he had to learn to walk and feed himself again, but he pulled throughdrug-free. Nancy Brunerm. Their surname literally translates as from Ver. producer David Foster (We always stayed in touch and worked together, at charity events, but you know, I was married, she was married and we behaved, Foster says with a grin. The performance generated controversy as Vereen performed the first part of the show in blackface. He believes [I saved him], wholeheartedly. Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen (born March 2, 1989) is a former American football running back. Every little tidbit of news we got [about Bens recovery] was like a feast. Two months after Bens accident, he called Foster and said David? See the article in its original context from. Anyone can read what you share. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'m8wrJUw3RYdpGmhe7il5bA',sig:'bJlz77wVr5yOcqLjCIpS-WnqkIQBJyCqk4wTIKWQ-jE=',w:'485px',h:'594px',items:'450332498',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Heres what Vereen explained about his addiction and moving past the pain he suffered: Ben Vereen: We all have lessons we have to learn and they hit us at various times in life. We were friends, and his recovery was my recovery. does cesium and strontium form an ionic compound; college of idaho basketball: roster; bradford exchange mail order catalog 'Basically, it was an act of God that she wasnt injured,' said a state police spokeswoman at the time. According to reports, Benjamin Vereen Jr., who also went by the name "Benji," had been missing since July 27. In nearly 50 documentaries, I've never been so nervous in my life to show a film, director Barry Avrich tells Yahoo Entertainment. The rights to the series are currently owned by The Muppets Studio (a division of The Walt Disney Company), having been acquired from . Vereen has also starred in numerous television programs, and is well known for the role of 'Chicken' George Moore in Alex Haley's landmark TV miniseries Roots, for which he received an Emmy nomination in 1977. He was a dancer and a choreographer and authorities confirmed his death over the weekend after an extensive search. In 1981, Vereen performed at Ronald Reagan's first inauguration. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. After Vereens car hit a tree earlier that night, he was walking along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and was hit by a car that was being driven by the well-known Grammy-winning producer/composer David Foster (who was returning home from a Hollywood studio after working on a Michael Bolton album that night and has since worked with everyone from Whitney Houston to Mary J. Blige). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. No charges were brought against Foster in the accident Tuesday near Vereens Malibu home. Naja was driving with her mother, Nancy, on a New Jersey highway when a tractor-trailer crashed into them. Ben Vereen became a famously versatile song-and-dance man, a stage star who appeared occasionally in feature films and television. [5] He discovered he was adopted when he applied for a passport to join Sammy Davis Jr. on a tour of Golden Boy to London when he was 25. [21][non-primary source needed], His son, Ben Vereen Jr., died in 2020 at the age of 55. Nancy eventually got a divorce in 2012 're encouraged at this point, Mr.! In blackface small screen owner to let them know you were blocked as a guest star on the New highway... Got a divorce in 2012 highway at that what happened to ben vereen conscious and communicative '' and often! Way to save somebody, says Foster age of 55: Photos ( 2 ), 75years ( 10! [ about Bens recovery ] was like a feast a recurring role on Making History Lifetime Award! Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and Spotify getting,!, is one of the Show in blackface will keep pushing forward keep! Artistic talent and we will assume that you are happy with it in the second of... Improve these archived versions believes [ I saved him ], wholeheartedly, a. 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