James Rebhorn Wrote His Own Obituary

"He was a lucky man in every way."

In a touching obituary he wrote for himself, actor James Rebhorn didn't spend much time talking about his career on stage and screen. Instead, he wrote of the mother who "taught him the value of good manners and courtesy," the father who informed him "there is no excuse for poor craftsmanship" and his wife, who "loved him with all his flaws, and in her the concept of ceaseless love could find no better example."

But perhaps his most moving words were reserved for his children:

His children made him immensely proud. Their dedication to improving our species and making the world a better place gave him hope for the future. They deal with grief differently, and they should each manage it as they see fit. He hopes, however, that they will grieve his passing only as long as necessary. They have much good work to do, and they should get busy doing it.

The "Homeland" actor died on March 21 at the age of 65 after a long battle with melanoma.

You can read the full obituary on the website of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jersey City, N.J., where Rebhorn had been a longtime member.