Too Gay for Television? How Charles Nelson Reilly Proved NBC Wrong
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- With 99 appearances on The Tonight Show, nearly two thousand game show episodes, and starring roles from Broadway to sitcoms to cartoons … for decades, Charles Nelson Reilly WAS television. But it almost never happened: At Charles’ first TV audition, an NBC executive took one look at him and said, "they don’t let queers on television.” So, how did Charles Nelson Reilly go from being too gay for broadcast to dominating the airwaves? This is the story of an iconic gay actor who went from selling his blood to make ends meet to being the most in-demand actor on television, thanks to a little help from Burt Reynolds, Broadway, and a haunted house.
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Charles was first my teacher at the Burt Reynolds' Institute for Theatre Training in Jupiter, Florida and then later he was my supporter and friend. He was the funniest human being who ever lived. He lit up a room and had me and my fellow apprentices rolling on the floor with nearly everything he said or did. I left Charles and the program in 1990 and because of what he taught me, I have worked on and off-Broadway in musical comedies (thousands of performances) since 1995. I have 2 performances today, in fact, as the (older) comic in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. I miss him every day, and I'm happy to see this vid and read all the comments. Years ago, when Charles was working on his one man show, he invited me over to the house on Gloaming Way (now demolished, ps, for some awful modern box) to watch a video of Life of Reilley. The show was running close to 4 hours! He did cut it down later. Anyway, when I left he gave me that VHS tape which I still have somewhere. I ought to get it transferred as it would have cut material. Lastly, I used to go out with him on his boat in Marina del Rey and he would make dinner and then make me stay up all night watching Louise Reiner films. I would get sleepy and he would yell at me to wake up. He would get perturbed if I had to pee and after the 2nd time he screamed (in a quiet marina, mind you, in the middle of the night) "I havent had to pee since 1947!!!!!!!!" It would be like 3:30 am. He was the best. Charles was Johnny Carson's guest over a hundred times. Reason: they would have guests cancel at the last minute. Literally last minute. Producers knew Charles could have 10 stories loaded and ready to tell in 10 minutes. So they'd call and he jump in the car down through Coldwater Canyon and be ready to go and be FUNNY in no time. Reliably hysterical on the spot. Johnny trusted him to deliver and he always did. Thus all those appearances even if he didn't have anything to promote.
I wish that I knew more about YOU and your work, you sound neat! Send me a link to something, and thanks for the kind words about Charles-the irreplaceable and irrepressible.
That's a book you have in you. Write that book.
Please, please write that book!
How wonderful! You are so lucky to have been his friend!
And get that VHS ripped to digital, toot-sweet!
Charles was everywhere on TV in the 60s and 70s and so entertaining in anything he did. Thanks Matt for covering yet another true original who left his mark on history and our memories.
Guy VanArsdall
I was born in 1938. Does that disqualify me?
I absolutely adored Charles Nelson Reilly as a kid. Seeing an adult being silly was so enlightening and heartwarming... and comforting. It is great to hear that he was such an amazing person off-screen, too.
From a great era of 📺
Yes. For a young girl who lived in fear of rageaholic abusive mother and abusive elder sister. " The Ghost and Mrs. Muir "
was a Godsend. Charles Nelson Reilly was a kinder Paul Lynde. Bewitched was also a help.
Charles was good friends with my mother and uncle when they were kids in Hartford. My grandmother who ran the Lenox Theater gave him encouragement when he was a teenager with a miserable home life. He speaks of them at length in "Life of Reilly". And when my uncle died, it was Charles who called my mother to break the news.
Matt, you did a great job. Whenever Charles Nelson Reilly was booked on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, you KNEW it was going to be a good time. The man could really tell a funny story. I'm sorry that he had such a rotten childhood, but I'm so glad that he rose above it and believed in himself. He was such a talented, unique individual.
Little side story about CNR many appearances on the tonight show, as told by Johnny side kick Ed in an interview. Charles lived only 5 min. away from the NBC studios. He always had a "comic bit" prepared and always was well loved by the viewers. Whenever a scheduled guest failed to show up, or some unexpected reason the show needed to fill air time Charles was called. Sometimes, he was at the studio filming the Match game which was just down the hall from where Carson filmed and in a pinch, between breaks of taping the game show, Charles would appear as the last guest for Johnny, do a 10 min. interview, just as the Carson show ended, rush back to the Match game studio to tape a show.
I remember one time when Charles was on the “The Tonight Show”, he followed Hulk Hogan, who had to leave. Charles came out and said to Johnny: “Is the wimp gone?”.
I love him. Knowing what his early life was like, it warms my heart that he found so much success later on.
The poverty was horrific.
Too many children and poverty, how could anyone be a loving parent.
Neither his mom or dad were kind to him, I’m so sorry to hear that.
And yet he survived.
Incredible
The aunt that was lobotomized .. monstrous
What a difficult, cruel bigoted period in the US and pretty much everywhere else.
I hope that we’re not stumbling back in time.
Openly embracing prejudice -racism- bigotry- misogyny and antisemitism
How courageous of him to be himself on the screen and off.
Charles' story goes to show how important have a good group of friends is - all of his friends went out of their way to help him have the opportunities he wanted, and it warms my heart that he had people around him who truly wanted the best for him.
I feel so lucky to have grown up watching Match Game. There'll never be anything else like it, and Charles was one big reason why.
I agree it was fun
Yeah i gave the 2016 reboot a shot and it was....bad. Alec Baldwin is no Gene Rayburn
@@iamathousandapples Plus, without the alchemy of Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Sommers, what's really the point?
I hear ya, Sister!
I will never forget meeting Mr. Reilly. 1970, a car load of teenage friends driving the streets of Hollywood. We lived 50 miles away and spending an afternoon seeing the sites was a cheap way to kill time, LOL, gas was only 27 cents a gallon. We stoped at a red light and a unique vintage car stopped next to us. One of the guys said hay look at that cool car......we all looked and then I said, look the driver is Charles Nelson Reilly. He saw us and rolled down the window and did his famous giggle and said "yes boys, it's me the big name star" not in a boastful way, but in his playful kidding charm. He asked "seen any other famous people today?" We were No!.... He did his giggle once again and tipped his hat and said sorry, the lights green, gotta go. We waved and off he went. We saw stars often, as we traveled to this area a couple times a month, but Mr. Reilly was one of the few that seem to enjoy a brief interaction with his fans.
Do you remember what the car was? He bought a Mercedes right around that time with his new TV money and then KEPT IT FOR DECADES. He would tell me I'm Capricorn and we don't like CHANGE. Eventually, he was stopped at a stop.sign up in the hills and someone barreled into the back of the old, ooooold Mercedes and though it crumpled and protected Charles from injury, it was totalled. He bought an 04 Lexus and hated it.
@@lewiscleale5236 Thats 50 years ago, hard to remember, but does seem like it was a vintage style Mercedes.......I know we gave notice of the car as it was so unique.
@@photomanwilliams4147 So great that you have that memory of him. He was simply the best. I once had a similar type thing happen at a stoplight in the valley. A beautiful blue convertible Rolls pulls up next to me and sitting in the passenger seat was Debbie Reynolds. I told her I loved her and she smiled and said something nice as she vroomed off. Fun.
@@lewiscleale5236u
Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man
The kind of man you'd never disrespect
He stood eight feet tall, wore glasses,
And had a third nipple on the back of his neck
He ate his own weight in coal
And excreted diamonds everyday
He could throw you down a flight of stairs,
But you still would love him anyway
--"CNR", Weird Al Yankovic
Classic song. Jib Jab's music video was a bonus too.
-Won the tour de france
with 2 flat tires & a missing chain
@@misterno-ice-guy8082 He trained a rattlesnake to do his laundry
I'm telling you the man was insane
He could rip out your beating heart
And show it to you right before you died
Everyday he'd make the host of Match Game
Give him a piggyback ride
Yeah, two hour piggyback ride, giddy up Gene
He could throw you down a flight of stairs
But you still would love him anyway!
Charles Nelson Reilly figured out cold fusion
But he never ever told a soul
I've seen the man unhinge his jaw
And swallow a Volkswagen whole
He was awesome. I loved his nervous laugh. What a character. The Ghost and Mrs Muir would not have been the same without him.
What a true icon for the gay community (if not for all people in general)!
He had nothing to sail on...the odds were 100% against him!
He never got the appreciation he deserved either.
After paving the way for gay actors in showbiz, most of the gay community would not even know who he was today (which says a lot about the gay community today unfortunately).
Thank you so much for this very sincere tribute to one of the most underappreciated men in showbiz history!
I heard about the big circus fire. My mother-in-law (way before she was even a mother) was supposed to go to the circus that day but instead went to meet a couple of boys with her girlfriend. Her father went looking for her in all the burning chaos and went home weeping, thinking she was missing or dead. Then she bopped in, as happy as a clam. She would have gotten in trouble but her parents were just happy she was alive.
Charles Nelson Reilly was a treasure.
I'm surprised you didn't mention his partner, at least in passing. A successful career is great, but being able to settle down with a loved one is also a great thing. Particularly, I would think, for someone who had such a rough family life in the beginning.
Charles Nelson Reilly was a hoot to watch. Always did enjoy his comedy.
RIP Charles Nelson Reilly 🙏
He was a strong man. Someone of a lesser character would not have survived. RIP, dear Charles.
He didn't survive.
No one does.
So true.
His guest role on X-Files was magnificent. Jose Chung looks and sounds like Charles but he's the measured, patient, and sane one against a cavalcade of believers and lunatics. They just let the camera pause on him and Gillian Anderson sharing looks. His wistful monologue over the ending. It was such an inspired use of his talents and you feel how much delight went into making the episode.
I loved Jose Chung so much in Millennium that I watched the X-Files episode just because of him
one of the best episodes of the xfiles, written by my favorite writer from the show (darin morgan, he only penned 4 episodes of the original series and 3 of them are my favorite of the whole series).
Absolutely one of my favorite episodes of the X Files. He nailed that role.
Gillian Anderson does not try very hard to hide how much fun she was having working with him. It's such a good episode.
immediately what I think of when I hear this dude's name. Jose Chung is the best episode of that show I believe, and that monologue is so good.
When I was a kid I was fascinated by the Natalie Wood types, going on staged dates or even being a married beard. It was one of those things I’d sit there and think “if I were around back then, I’d totally sign on to be someone’s beard.
There was a brief moment I wondered if I was just imagining being a performative ally, but then it turned out I was just asexual and the idea of getting the perks of a marriage without having to do the rest of it sounded lovely 😅
This was 100% me as a kid!! I'm engaged now to my best friend, partially because of how much we both had to deal with partners being creepy and pushing our boundaries. We wanted partners and had no specific preferences in that regard, but we were also VERY exhausted, and figured "well, why not?" We started dating non-exclusively for companionship, figuring we'd break up or find a new arrangement if we wanted to. Turns out we're BOTH different flavors of aro-ace, respect and friendship are the only things we care about in relationships, and now we've been together for almost 4 years. It's extremely fun and convenient!!
@@crypticmedicine I’ve been exploring the idea of a QPR for a while now, or even being in a poly relationship if I find the right people. But for me the struggle is I am so socially busted that I am only friends with coworkers and don’t really even know how to meet new people as friends let alone for an LGBT+ friendly relationship 😅
@@averyeml It might not be your scene, but Renaissance Faires, Science-Fiction and Horror Conventions, and Artist/Maker Festivals, have a MASSIVE Crossover connection with the LGBTQIA Community, and with each other. Anything to do with Costuming/Cosplay/Fashion or Fanfiction creation, too. It's a great way to meet all sorts of types of people, and we gravitate to each other within the smaller groupings, so, if you're geeky and looking for love or platonic companionship, it's easy to find your people. If you aren't geeky, how did you get to the film and tv history analysis video?
@@JoyfulOrb going to a renfaire and trying to get into that has been on the list, actually! Whatever I do it’s gonna have to be something that has me going to a bigger town; I live in a small east Texas town and there isn’t a ton of people in general, let alone people prone to my “particular” lifestyle proclivities
@@JoyfulOrb This is such a cool tip!! Writing it down and stealing it for my own use... ✍️🏽 ✍️🏽 ✍️🏽
My high school self is rebelling against the notion that the popculture video essay space is anything other than the _height_ of mainstream coolness. Then my adult self remember that I watch them more than the movies and shows they're about, and that I genuinely listen to filmed academic lectures _to relax,_ so... yeah, no, the geekiness is real and we're all responsible, I have no excuse.
Wow, Matt, this presentation was fabulous. Thank you! I laughed out loud when Charles exclaimed, "who do I have to f*ck to get OFF tv?"
Matt, you present some of the kindest and most sensitive biographies I've seen. You often present the stories of people and issues I barely remember from my childhood, because i couldnt see them. I'm learning a secret history of the world that I couldn't see as a child, and I just love that. You bring me joy and sometimes sadness, it the best way. Thank you. Keep doing this!
Thanks for the story. I remember seeing him almost everyday on TV when I was a kid. Also thank you so very much for the tidbit about the fears of raising sissies. This harmful attitude affected many boys and young men my father's age, both gay and straight. You've given me an insight into my grandfather that I never expected.
Was you Dad a sissy?🧚
I second what you said. Both about CNR being on TV every day and thus a part of our 70s and early 80s childhoods but also about that mania that apparently existed for a time in this country about being a sissy or perceived as not virile. My dad who was raised during the 1930s and was a good father would every now and then seem to slip out something that indicated a great fear of being seen as effeminate or "swishy" or a sissy. It was passed on to my generation too but not everyone. I hope that misguided fear dies the death it deserves in these current generations and beyond.
My Two encounters with CNR - My first trip to New York, we got a reservation for Sardis. We got there just in time for a room full of celebs to sing Happy Birthday to Charles. He was sweet and funny and everyone apparently adored him. The next time we met was years later when he was hired to direct a show at the theatre I worked at in Dallas Texas, Theatre Three. He was gracious and so talented! What a guy!
Wow, I had NO idea that Charles was in that big top fire. I studied that case extensively several years ago, and the horror that haunted survivors for the rest of their lives. That was a fascinating tidbit, Matt, thanks!
It had an effect on CNR too. He apparently did not enjoy being in or around crowds after that tragedy. That was probably difficult to overcome in order to be in a theater setting, but he did. That had to take some real mental toughness.
I grew up during the heyday of Charles Nelson Reilly and adore him. I'm so grateful to you for this biography, but a bit saddened to find how much such a brilliant talent had to struggle to make it.
I'm so glad I secured a copy of the DVD set, "The Life of Reilly" which includes a 3 hour recording of his autobiographical show.
I watched it chopped up into 20-odd parts on CZcams. What a story! What a life!
I need to see this show! Just the little clips featured here are wonderful.
On CZcams, it's On a channel called lifeofreillyfilm, and it is marvelous! Charles showing his actor chops, and funny, heartbreaking storytelling.
@@vilstef6988 Thank you for the info.
@Delia Wright, welcome! Charles has been one of my heroes for a long time. He seldom punched down and there are lots of stories about what a good friend he was.
I had the great fortune to see Life Of Reilly's final tour and talk to Charles after the show. He was a stealthy formative part of my childhood (born 1970, the Year of Charles Nelson Reilly.) While I didn't see the Broadway work that made him famous, it came through in his unstoppable presence on TV game shows, talk shows, and sitcoms. It's amazing that even 1970s culture held space for his warm, gleefully unapologetic non traditionally masculine self. I'm grateful he pushed past the concerned parents and gave us a bigger, freer, more joyful canvas for what men could be.
Amen to that!
I wish I could have met him so lucky you were..
I can't imagine my childhood without this man popping up on every tv show there was!
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is fantastic on a lot of levels. The show wouldn't be the same without him. Impossible
He is one of my childhood heroes. I love everything he did. To me he was simply just fun.
Exactly. I was a kid in the 70's and even though I knew actors like Reilly and Paul Lynd were sissies, his flamboyance never drifted overtly into his sexuality. I think that was the key to his success. He could make jokes that went above children's heads while poking fun at himself and making the adults laugh. He never rubbed his homosexuality in people's faces. so in that sense he was less threatening to people in the 70's.
@@deanm375 I am a child of the 70's - born in 1969. Charles is proof that people didn't hate gays 'back then'. What people wouldn't tolerate, was gays acting overly flamboyant and sexual in front of their children! Many 'gays'' today should take notes from this guy.
I had the biggest grin, seeing you were doing a video on Charles Nelson Reilly. Thanks to CZcams, I've been watching endless episodes of Match Game. His banter with Brett Sommers is just side-splitting. What a wonderful tonic he was!
My favorite bit between him and Brett was when Gene Rayburn was shocked to hear a contestant had never had a glass of wine before. Without missing a beat Charles chimes in with "That's not so fantastic, Brett's never had a glass of milk!"
Imagine I was 12 watching Match Game sensing that something Naughty is going on but not having a clue.
So now as a adult what a delight to go back and watch Match Game, and laugh hysterically. How in the world did Match Game and Hollywood Squares get away with the things they said?
I think he showed an honesty and vulnerability that made him so relatable. I'd love to know the reaction of his family and of the taunters in his neighborhood to his show business success (actually, when you have that many friends and that much respect among your peers - you are already a success). I hope he knew how much he touched people's hearts.
Reilly’s star turn on Xfiles is so incredibly beloved in that fandom. It’s a favorite episode and he was perfect in it.
I remember that Johnny Carson would have Charles as a guest on The Tonight Show, even when he had nothing to promote. Charles was just so entertaining, and Johnny was in stitches no matter what Charles said.
As I recall hearing, Reilly lived close enough to the studio where Carson taped that if any guest had to cancel on short notice, Reilly could always be there in 10 minutes to fill in.
@@alonzocasas2418 Your comment is 100% true.
@Tim O'Malley, one time Charles was on Carson, and they rolled a clip from Uncle Croc. The audience was stunned! Charles deadpanned, There goes any claim I have to being a serious actor!
As an Australian, I've never heard of this guy, but once again this was a fantastic insight into someone I would not have known about otherwise. Cheers!
Hi. I'm in Australia to and remember watching The Ghost and Mrs Muir on ABC as a child in the last afternoon.
I am an American and never heard of him either. Do not feel bad.
Must be a generation thing. I remember him from Lidsville & Witchie-Poo on kids tv in the 70s. And this is in Brisbane.
Another Australian, and I definitely recognize him more from his later voiceover work than anything. The things he got REALLY big on were things that Australia tended not to import at the time and instead made their own equivalents (Blankety Blanks is explicitly our Match Game, right up to also featuring a gay icon), but the things he appeared in once he became a household name, like Spongebob, THAT stuff got imported.
@@jaytops Me too, though in Sydney
I was lucky enough to be one of Charles's students in Burbank. He was a great teacher and everyone adored him. He inspired so many people.
Ohh, I forgot he was in the “Bic Banana” commercials! I loved him in those! ❤❤
CNR was my favorite Match Game celeb. Nipsey Russell was a close second but he wasn't always on the show. Anyhow, I clearly remember watching one time when my brother, maybe about age 8, shouted "fa@@ot" at the TV when CNR was bantering with Bret Somer. My mother gave him a dressing down and told him she didn't care who or what someone was, he better never let her hear him calling someone out of their name like that again.
For all the disfunction and pain in my childhood, most caused by my mother, I do have to give credit where it's due. She taught us complete acceptance of folks who are "different" (unless it was her own family but that's a story for another time).
I had no idea Charles survived the Hartford Circus Fire...wow I love this channel.
Good lord … that laugh of his is iconic!
It should be registered with The Smithsonian as a national treasure. I’m dead serious. Everywhere you turned I the ‘70s he was there. And anybody who was alive then will instantly recognize that laugh. It truly was ubiquitous and was a staple of American life.
This was a crazy but ultimately very heartwarming story. 2 Thumbs Way Up!
Along with Jonathan Harris, Monti Rock III, Charles was a touchstone growing up. Thanks for the memories, and inspiration Mr. Reilly.
Pretty sure the main evidence my parents had that I was gay was how I adored Charles Nelson Reilly on "Match Game."
And yes, their pediatrician did recommend all kinds of strategies to make me more masculine.
@@CPTDoom Sorry to hear it! What kind of strategies? I was a little queer girl, but I was femme so I was just considered shy (or dorky).
Moral of the Story: Natalie Wood was a great wingwoman.
Charles used to do his grocery shopping at The Boys Market grocery store in Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles) where I was a box boy while in high school. One of the managers of the store was a very cool, and very gay and friends with Charles. The two of them would chat like a couple of old hens. It was very funny.
Charles was a very nice and very funny man. I spoke with him a few times.
This was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful human. CNR was an absolute GEM; one of the funniest people ever. Insanely talented.. a comic's comic.. and we loved him in everything he ever did.
(I guess you showed THEM, Mr. Reilly!)
I'm not gay, but I'm defiantly a weird sissy so Charles is one of my heroes.
I really hope you meant "defiantly" and not "definitely" because that conjures up such a great mental image! :D Stay weird fellow weirdo!
As long as the ladies don't mind right?
I'm not gay, but I love a lot of things straight men are not allowed to (gymnastics, dance, etc). And I hold as no value many of the things they do. CNR was a brave fucking beast.
He was a great actor. So glad he's not here to see how things are turning back to hating guys. It won't last, we will not go back to hating people for who they are. The world would be boring if we were contained like this.
@@rhondamcknight2596 WTH are you talking about? If anything the so called allies are the ones who turned on them. For decades run of the mill gays have been fighting to just be the guys down the street. But now we have "queer theorists" fighting that because "that's too normative", they even protested a don't groom kids bill
CNR was a very talented man. I miss him, great actor, director and comedian. Loved his smile. ❤️🙏☮️
Charles was the queer voice I needed to hear growing up. it helped me accept being queer when I saw how accepted he finally was in television and film.
My mom had gay friends so I learned to not be judgmental.
She loved Charles. He was always funny and professional.
Charles is also the subject of "CNR," one of Weird Al Yankovic's very best pastiches. It's a string of "true" facts about him in the style of the White Stripes!
Literally the only reason I knew his name before watching this was from that song! I had a few Weird Al albums growing up and I would always listen to that song with SO much confusion, but never bothered lookingit up (I'm a GenZer, we don't know things and are largely ok with this lol.) So wild watching this now!
Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man, sorta man you didn't disrespect. He stood 8 foot tall, wore glasses and had a third nipple on the back of his neck
Lord knows you don't mess around with CNR
@@oaf-77🎸🎵 Bermp-bermp, bernerner-nerner.... 🎵🎸
I learned about the song during the live chat of the premiere of this video!
Charles Nelson Reilly won the Tour de France with two flat tires and a missing chain
I remember CNR when I was growing and struggling with my sexuality as a homosexual pre-teen. I remember having an inexplicable sense of recognition and found him to be, in a word, a "hoot". RIP Charles.
I’ve always LOVED Charles. His camp was turned up to 11 and I adore it. Jose Chungs from Outer Space is the HANDS DOWN THE BEST EPISODE of the X-Files. I still watch old episodes of Match Game when they’re on. They all seem so drunk and seem like they’re having a blast.
HE PLAYED THE DIRTY BUBBLE ON SPONGEBOB?????
God what a king.
"You could spit at the wind, or tug at Superman's cape but Lord knows you don't mess around with CNR" - werid Al
Even though some of Charles Nelson Reilly's roles were silly, he succeeded in making the audience laugh. The world can be a scary and dangerous place. To help people forget themselves and indulge in honest, healthy laughter is such a wonderful gift. Even in death, Charles is with us making us laugh. A friend and I watched Jose Chung's "From Outer Space" recently and rolled with laughter at Charles' deadpan delivery. He and his characters are gifts that keep on giving, even after death.
Oh how I loved watching him on TV. I can only imagine how great he was live on stage! He was a treasure.
I remember this guy from Lidsville and countless other shows, seems like a class act, and a much more talented actor than you'd initially realize, God bless him.
That is right...lidsville !
Lidsville was a trip period. He was so ove the top in that, and perhaps seeing such colorful very developed character inspired lots of little Nelly boys to soldier on in spite of such adversity.
The fact that CNR and Lucille Ball shared screen together is too much to take in. I mean, the levels of comedy --
Somewhere on CZcams there is an interview with Charles where he recounts how every so often Ms. Ball would call him up saying "It's time!". And this would mean time for them to go out to one of their favorite restaurants together, and for her to order a big order of mashed potatoes (apparently her comfort food of choice).
I grew up with Charles on TV all through the 60's and 70's. I had no idea! What the man endured . . . respect! This incredibly good tribute really opened my eyes. I am a better person for watching it. Thanks.
I have loved Charles Nelson Reilly my whole life. His story is a tale of talent, persistence, strength and pure honesty. What a crime that prejudice and cowardice played such a role in his early life. I wish I could hug him. Burt Reynolds was not only a great friend but a visionary. Love to you CNR!
There are alot of straight white guys whom put their foot down and do the right things. Many of us were "labeled" too as kids.
CNR is a great man who made my childhood better. I knew CNR, Paul Lynde and Jim J. Bullock were "different", yet I was fascinated by their humor. Except I loved girls, then women.
I relate to you. And will always have your backs.
CNR was a HUGE part of my childhood. Thanks for uploading!
I met Charles on his birthday. I wished him a happy birthday 🥳!!! I then relaxed and saw his one man show in the Village. He was wonderful of course!
Bless Charles. He was a delight and the world would have been less without him.
it's so nice to hear how sweet and kind he was because I've always loved him!
This is amazing - I first watched Reilly on the game shows that my grandmother always watched when I was very young - he was frequently on Hollywood Squares, wasn't he? But I had no idea who he was or why he was given equal billing with other stars I'd previously heard of. Then I got a little older and stopped watching so much TV, and was then hardly aware of him at all, except as a childhood memory who occasionally popped up in minor roles elsewhere. I assumed he was never anything but a minor character actor and comedian. And it never occurred to me that he might be queer. So I'm happy to find out so much more about him.
Also: I just discovered a similar British gay comic actor - Kenny Everett - whom I'd never heard of before yesterday. A video about Everett would be quite interesting. He's apparently universally known in the UK.
I was under the impression Everett was primarily known as a radio DJ.
@@themoviedealers I don't know, maybe so, but you can find clips of him on CZcams from British TV. And apparently he was used to being recognized when in public with Freddie Mercury.
I first remember seeing him as Claymore Gregg on The Ghost and Mrs Muir. After that, it seemed he was everywhere. I always liked him because he seemed kind and genuine. Life of Reilly on CZcams is great!
I met Charles in the late '80s. He was in Dallas, directing a show. He hung out at a hotel bar where we played happy hour. He was hilarious.
We had been working there for six weeks, and had built up a huge following. It was time to renegotiate our deal, and we thought we'd get a great bump in pay. Instead, the GM of the hotel said, "We think you did a great job building our clientele, but I don't think we need you any more."
This was before our last set. We were pissed, and decided we'd play the free jazz set from hell. Charles always sat in a booth right in front of us. We'd already told him they'd cut us loose, and that we were going to freak a little in response. He loved it. Just laughed his head off.
The GM was furious, and started screaming at us. He eventually pulled the plug on our PA, causing the whole thing to come crashing down. Upon which, Charles jumped up on his table, and shouted "And they WON'T BE BACK!!"
The GM called the cops. We made it out of there quick, and avoided getting tangled up with the police. Charles just laughed and laughed through the whole thing.
I have the fondest memory of him. Totally down to earth and real.
As a kid, I didn't appreciate him. Now I realize how great he was.
I always loved Charles Nelson Reilly. My first exposure to him was in Lidsville and I've been a fan ever since.
Matt, love the shirt!
I love watching him on Match Game, he’s one of my favorites. Also he was on Tattletales with Elizabeth Allen. Thanks for posting this video about him! His career and life is fascinating to me. I’d love a video about Fannie Flagg as well!
He was such a big part of my childhood. He was on so many TV shows and me and my grandmother watched him on Match Game.
This is one of the most personally inspirational paths to a career I've ever seen, thank you so much for putting this video together.
I'm trying to do things in kind of a weird sideways way too, and to know and see that the struggle and stress and pain are just part of the journey, and that there's a chance it really can end up with such a beautiful career and legacy fills me with hope.
Your videos are lovely and I look forward to them every time I have the chance to really sit down and watch and learn! Thank you for your work!
CNR was a mainstay for me on gameshow network. His sass was incredible, even 30 years later. Truly Scrumtrulescent!
"Oh my, that's a good word."
A lovely tribute. Well done! And thank you.
I grew up watching Charles on t.v., it's amazing to me that he was told he would never succeed there! Thanks so much for such a thoughtful biography about him Matt, it's wonderful to know his difficult life journey eventually led to happiness and success.
God bless Charles Nelson Riley. A national treasure.
Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man, the kind of man you'd never disrespect.
Matt, I've been sick with a horrible case of COVID that turned into Pneumonia, and I have been SO BORED..until today when I found your channel🙌🙌🙌 Thank you for making such thorough, unique and interesting content. You definitely got a new sub in me 💯
Thank you so much for this and for the link to the stage show. It was amazing and without you I would have never seen it 🙂 Thanks again.
It is so refreshing to see someone do a narration who is intelligent and very well spoken for extended takes. Keep up the good work. Dennis
It's funny that you mention Jonathan Harris at the end, because when you were talking about how CNR turned a one-off pilot role in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir into a regular character I immediately thought of Dr. Smith in Lost in Space, who I've heard was supposed to be a one-episode character but Jonathan's brilliant performance turned it into a bigger character than the intended lead (Guy Williams)!
I love these videos. You give us GREAT details that may still be unknown to lots of people. Charles Nelson Reilly was my FAVORITE person on the old Match Game shows and the SOLE reason that a kid liked watching a game show. Then there was Paul Lynde. He made EVERYTHING he was in/on better and worth watching. I was too young, then, to know what gay was and I didn't care about it, once I was older and it came out about them being gay. I loved them for who they were, funny, comedic geniuses, entertaining, and as real as they could be and still protect their personal lives... We could use more people, like them, on screen today.
wow, you did a fantastic job with his bio!
Match Game keeps showing on one of the local stations and I had never really seen CNR before. I recognized other actors, especially the MASH folks, because I grew up watching those reruns and was obsessed with MASH. But I could tell how much CNR seemed to really enjoy being around his colleagues and how well he interacted with the contestants. Truly, a man before his time. ❤
Thank you, I grew up watching a lot of Charles Nelson Reilly. I was so glad to learn that he had the support of friends and co-stars throughout his career.
One quibble: the photo you show for Vincent J. Donehue is actually Ralph Bellamy as F.D.R. in _Sunrise at Campobello_ which was directed by Donehue.
Thank you for posting this. :) Much appreciated.
Great video, Matt. It brought back many fond memories. Charles was a great example of the power of being who you are and the courage and fortitude it takes to do so. Also, thanks for leaving in your singular hijink blooper, very spontaneous and funny. 😉😄 ☮
Thank you Matt for doing this, may the great Charles Nelson Reilly always be remembered!
Matt, you truly do a service to humanity to showcase all of “those” people…”our” people - who have contributed to art, music, drama, and comedy, providing to present and future generations, their unique perspectives of interpreting human diversity and uniqueness- by just being who they are. Thank you!
Well said! ❤
I first saw him on "Ghost and Mrs. Muir" when I was a kid and loved him. Then I didn't really see him again until "The X Files," and he was great in that. I think that was the role that made me see how truly competent he was.
You hit it out of the park again! 💕
As a young teenager in the early 70's, I knew I was gay, I loved 'Match Game' anyhow and was so grateful to CNR for being such a delightful and effervescent presence. Even though gays were still very much vilified at that time and one was constantly reminded that one should feel shame for it; him being featured so prominently and unabashedly on my television screen showed me there was hope for the future. Thank you, Charles Nelson Reilly 🤗
Was always entertained by him in his later years. Never knew of his early struggles. 😮 Great video 😊
I loved this man. He was so great in everything he did. He was so funny without even trying.
This is a great video about a great actor, Charles Nelson Reilly. Matt, you Sir are a treasure for the wonderful work you do creating these videos. Thank you🥰
Curiously, I thought I would click in here, fast forward through a few highlights and move on. This presentation quickly grabbed my attention and was so compelling that watched every instant. Thank you.
That was again such a touching and motivational life story! I needed that right now!
I adored Charlie!
We used to get together when he would come to Jupiter.... A few times he had his boat there... he loved that boat.. a couple times we went by boat to a few different places. in Jupiter and PGA... one for drinks, one for appetizers and more drinks, one for dinner and more drinks hahahaah he kept two apartments at a building right at the us-1 bridge in Jupiter and would have us over... usually we met up at Backstage in Jupiter... in the Reynolds Plaza...we would have our coconut shrimp and chocolate mouse and listen to Copeland Davis play the piano... When him Burt and Dommie got together it was pandemonium! hahah They always treated my mom like a queen... They called her "T" instead of Thelma...
My mom and him were friends and I tagged along.. it was a lot of fun for a 19 year old kid... back in the 80's
fond memories of a great guy..
xoxo Randolph
This was a wonderful tribute to the man! I had no idea he was so beloved by his peers, for example. Thank you for creating this video. I loved Charles, mainly because of Match Game. My mom and I watched it together for many years. Good times!
The 'Die fledermaus" pic got you a fan for life. Another great video 📸