This Blog Is Down With Reilly, A Wonderful Guy: If You Don't Know, Ya Better Ask Somebody
And you should start with actor and national treasure Ruby Dee. Charles was her director of choice and close friend.
My personal recollection was of Charles as a teacher and mentor. He not only had the obvious gift for comedy, but was serious as sweat when it came to drama. Behind the quips and laughter he could cut to your heart, break you down, but not without taking the time to build you back up.
My favorite Charles Nelson Reilly story goes like this: Charles was down in Florida with his good friend Burt Reynolds. They marched along the sand to Burt's beach house, 10 steps in front of the front door Burt froze in his tracks.
Charles asked: “Burt why did you stop? What’s wrong?”
Charles replied: “Well I never slept with the Bi…ch so give me the keys, I’ll open the damn door!”
Charles’ one man show THE LIFE OF REILLY was filmed and is now touring the film festival circuit. It’s witty, it’s outrageous it’s touching, it’s Charles.
This Tony Award nominee and winner "(How to Succeed..." and "Hello Dolly"), Broadway director("The Gin Game"), film star and television personality (Match Game game show) was poignant and sincere.
I received a call from Charles regarding a role in a musical he was directing that was opening in Los Angeles and touring the US. He called me to see if I was ready to be “the one”. After hearing the role paid $1,600 a week plus another $600.00 per diem, my response was “I be damned if I ain’t the one!”
Two days later he called to inform me that the role (as a bellhop at a hotel) would be given to a White actor. The producers of the show thought it might be too stereotypical that the only Black in the show would be playing a bellhop, they were worried about bad press.
Well you know what I had to say, “Shhhhhhhhhhh…… Political correctness just cost me a grip!”
Two days later he called to inform me that the role (as a bellhop at a hotel) would be given to a White actor. The producers of the show thought it might be too stereotypical that the only Black in the show would be playing a bellhop, they were worried about bad press.
Well you know what I had to say, “Shhhhhhhhhhh…… Political correctness just cost me a grip!”
My favorite Charles Nelson Reilly story goes like this: Charles was down in Florida with his good friend Burt Reynolds. They marched along the sand to Burt's beach house, 10 steps in front of the front door Burt froze in his tracks.
Charles asked: “Burt why did you stop? What’s wrong?”
Burt answered: I haven’t been back here in two years, since Sally (actor Sally Fields) and I broke up.
Charles: Oh, really?
Burt: “Yeah, this is the first place Sally and I ever made love. This was the last place we made love. and this was the best place we ever made love … Charles we should go back to the city … I just can’t open that door.
Charles replied: “Well I never slept with the Bi…ch so give me the keys, I’ll open the damn door!”
Charles’ one man show THE LIFE OF REILLY was filmed and is now touring the film festival circuit. It’s witty, it’s outrageous it’s touching, it’s Charles.