And Charles would say that it didn't bother him. LINKE: In the '50s, he went to some big network to have an audition for a television show and the man said to him, we don't put queers on TV. Paul Linke says even in the swinging '70s, being openly gay was risky for an actor's career. And when you look at the list of his students, it's pretty overwhelming, I mean he taught Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Peter Boyle, Liza Minnelli, and many, many, many, many, many others the craft of acting.īRAND: Charles Nelson Reilly never tried to hide his homosexuality, frequently cracking double entendres about being gay. PAUL LINKE (Writer): One of the most important things to realize about Charles is what an important teacher he was. He says most people didn't realize that Reilly was an accomplished theater actor and teacher. I'll be pushing my wagon, minding my own business, and a woman will see me and go - oh, oh, oh, I thought you were dead.īRAND: Paul Linke directed the stage version. I say twilight because of what people say to me in the supermarket. I say extraordinary because of the people who have loved me. REILLY: A voice in my head tells me that I'm at the twilight of an extraordinary life. (Soundbite of "Save It for the Stage: The Life of Reilly") And for the last few years he starred in a one-man show about his life called "Save It for the Stage: The Life of Reilly." Last year, it was made into a feature film. In the '80s and '90s, Reilly continued playing guest roles on various TV shows. CHARLES NELSON REILLY (Actor): Boy, if she lives in Beverly Hills, the you bet you're on Olympic (unintelligible).īRAND: Charles Nelson Reilly once said about his role on game shows, you can't do anything else once you do game shows, you have no career. Unidentified Woman: Well, you know, I live in Beverly Hills. ![]() ![]() Reilly camped it up he wore huge glasses, a swirly toupee and ascot. He won a Tony Award in 1962 for his role in the original Broadway production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." In the '70s, Reilly moved into TV, playing the evil magician Hoodoo on Sid and Marty Krofft's psychedelic children's show "Lidsville." He made regular appearances on shows like "The Love Boat," "Laugh-In" and "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." He became famous, though, sitting in the upper-right hand corner on "Match Game." The game show starred B-list celebrities trying to match the contestants' answers with usually suggestive questions. He was 76 years old.Ĭharles Nelson Reilly began his career in New York theater. His partner said Reilly died of pneumonia. Theater actor and self-described game show fixture Charles Nelson Reilly has died.
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