Comprehensive information and links about Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly (born January 13, 1931Charles Nelson Reilly is an American actor, director and drama teacher best known for his comedic roles in movies, children's television, and animated cartoons. He has achieved somewhat of a cult status for the good-natured zaniness of his characters. His signature chuckle, easily recognizable to his fans, has been widely parodied and imitated.

Biography

Reilly was born in the Bronx, New York in 1931 of Irish and Scandinavian extraction. In 1944, at the age of 13, Reilly survived the disastrous Hartford Circus Fire in Hartford, Connecticut.

Reilly made his first movie appearance in 1957, playing an uncredited role in the Elia Kazan film . However, most of his work during this period was on the stage, as he appeared in many off-Broadway shows. His big Broadway break came in 1960, with a minor part in the hit .

While he kept active in Broadway shows, Reilly would soon become better known for his TV work. In 1965, he made regular appearances as himself on , which aired for a single season. From 1968 to 1970, he appreared as uptight, Waspy "Claymore Gregg" on the television series , which also starred the late Hope Lange and the late Edward Mulhare, in which he was reunited with Hello, Dolly Broadway co-star, Eileen Brennan on one episode.

In 1971, he appeared as the evil magician "Hoodoo" in , a psychedelically flavored live-action children's program produced by Sid and Marty Krofft that aired on Saturday mornings on NBC. The show was about a boy who falls into a magician's hat and enters a magical world of hat people. It is through these roles, as well as his playing the titular role in , that Reilly's voice and mannerisms were embedded in a generation of young fans.

During the 1970s Reilly also appeared as a regular on The Dean Martin Show, and had multiple guest appearances on television series including McMillan and Wife, Here's Lucy, Laugh In, The Love Boat and Love American Style and was also a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. During this time Reilly was perhaps best known as a fixture of games shows, primarily due to his witchy appearances as a regular panelist on the television game show . Reilly was the longest running guest, and often engaged in petty arguments with fellow regular Brett Somers.

Since 1980 Reilly has been primarily active teaching acting and directing for television and theater. He directed episodes of the Evening Shade television series in 1990 and earned a 1997 Tony Award nomination as Best Director (Play) for working with longtime pal Julie Harris in the revival of "The Gin Game."

Reilly was a longtime teacher of acting at HB Studio, the acting studio created by Herbert Berghof and his wife, Uta Hagen. His acting students have included Lily Tomlin Bette Midler.

In the 1990s Reilly made guest appearances on The Drew Carey Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and most notably, as eccentric writer "Jose Chung" in the television series "). Reilly was nominated for Emmy Award's in 1998 and 1999 for his performances in The Drew Carey Show and Millennium, respectively.

Since the late 90's Reilly has been directing theater and opera, touring the country performing a critically acclaimed one man stage show chronicling his life called "Save It For the Stage: The Life of Reilly" and occasionally performing as the voice of "The Dirty Bubble" on the animated series Spongebob Squarepants.

Cult status

Donita Sparks, formerly of the punk rock band L7, is currently scoring a filmed version of Reilly's one man show "The Life of Reilly".

Reilly is referenced in the song "I Like Hubcaps," featured on by Brak. Additionally, he is mentioned in the song "Serrated Edge" by the Dead Milkmen. A sample of him playing Hoodoo on Lidsville is used by Marilyn Manson in the song "Dope Hat".

Reilly was parodied by Alec Baldwin in an infamous sketch on Saturday Night Live in which Nelson Reilly is interviewed on Inside the Actors Studio.

Part of Reilly's popularity stems from his caustic, stereotypically gay public persona. He is somewhat of a gay icon, frequently referenced in gay-themed books, films and television programs.

As the butt of political and social jokes, Reilly is regularly cited by morning drive radio personality Tony Macrini and his call-in listeners on Norfolk, Virginia's WNIS 790AM