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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Yes! His interaction with Brett Sommers was Comedy Gold. They were such a great break from reality for a few minutes in the day. And if you were home sick from school... You Got Better, even when you didn't want to!
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 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.
Funny enough, I was once riding in the valley out there with my friend Henry Polic II from Webster and When Things Were Rotten and others. We had finished breakfast and were headed to his place. We stopped at a light and Henry starts screaming (past me) through my open window, "Deeeeebie!!!!!!!!! DEBBIE!" I looked to my left and there, in the passenger seat of a convertible Rolls was Debbie Reynolds, Henry's friend. She had a scarf over her hair. She waved and said "HI Henry!" And then they zoomed off ahead of us. It was a flash moment.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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
@@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
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 the biggest grin, seeing you were doing a video on Charles Nelson Reilly. Thanks to TH-cam, 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?
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!
@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.
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!
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.
@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!
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!)
When I was a kid in the 70s, there was something relatable about Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde, both of who were everywhere on TV then. Basically, the only obviously gay men on TV. At the time, I enjoyed Paul Lynde a bit more, probably because I could see him somewhat more frequently due to Bewitched being a recent show broadcast in reruns. But now I appreciate Charles Nelson Reilly more. He seemed less troubled and more thoughtful than Paul Lynde.
Charles was a big part of my childhood. He was on the Dean Martin show quite often. He was also very visible on MatchGame and in several movies. He was a big part of 60's and 70's and even as a kid I knew he was gay. So was I it helped to have a role model. Thank you Charles! RIP.
Matt! … Thank you so much for sharing this with us all! . Just knowing Beloved Mr Charles Nelson Reilly’s early childhood on up was very enlightening to know about him as well what he had endured! . I have a whole new respect, adoration and love for this gentleman, hands-down! . Matt .. your voice, knowledge and cool energy … makes it more inviting to watch you and your video(s) content even more so! . Well done! . Beto.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
I grew up in the 1960s. John Wayne did not entertain children. Charles Nelson Reilly, Jim Nabors, Paul Lynde, Dick Sargent, Robert Reed, Jonathan Harris, Jerry Lewis and Don Knotts all entertained kids. They were my heroes. Their nonviolent humor did not influence my sexuality but they did teach me to understand a higher level of humor as an adult by starting my love humor as a kid. I know Don Knotts wasn't gay but he did not play masculine characters and he was my all time favorite. These men were not worried about being cool. They played the supporting actors for the adults and the lead actor for the kids.
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.
@@themoviedealers I don't know, maybe so, but you can find clips of him on TH-cam 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 TH-cam is great!
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 *loved* "The Ghost and Mrs Muir" as a kid -- the two reasons to watch it were Charles Nelson Reilly and Edward Mulhare (as far as kid me was concerned, anyway). Charles had already been a favorite of mine from when I was little (my grandmother probably actually needed a crowbar to pry me away from the TV if Match Game was on). He was such a delight, and anytime he'd show up in anything I was watching, he always *always* made me smile, just by being there.
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!
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.
I see what you did there... when you mention Die Fledermaus (18:40), you used the picture of the Batman parody Die Fledermaus from The Tick cartoon. I love it!!!
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 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!
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. ❤
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.
I adored Charles Nelson Reilly, he was a brilliant actor, and teacher. "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was one of my favorite sitomes fo the 1960's, "Bewitched" was, and is, my favorite. Thank you for pulling back the curtain and sharing your knowledge, of this amazing actor. And thank you for sharing the link of "The Life of Reilly", it was incredible.
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.
I loved Brett Somers and Mr Reilly on Match game. they shot 5 shows on a sunday . After game 3 they would have a dinner break with lots of alcohol. the thursday and friday games which are on buzzer and the game show network are very " interesting "
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!
I believe the first time I was introduced to CNR was when he played a distant relative of the captain on, "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir." His scarycat antics had me in stitches except for the first episode. The captain was truely frightening until he relented and turned the car around. After that, I was hooked. I grieved when the show was cancelled. It was one of the first "grown-up shows," I really enjoyed as a child
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 💯
My introduction to CNR was 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'. Currently, I'm watching a lot of old Match Game episodes, and loving his improvisations and 'feud' with Brett Sommers.
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
Charles Nelson Reilly was about the first depiction of a gay character that was not devious or brooding. His characters and roles were funny and lighthearted. I will also give credit to Paul Lynde. They both were not going to apologize for who they were.. They could win their way into your heart with comedy and laughter. Up until then some of the characters I recognized were Dr Smith on Lost in space who always had an ulterior motive and was always trying to undermine the family. Dr Smith depicted so dysfunctional as a human that after the first season or two it seemed that the robot became his partner. Constantly bickering like an old couple. The other early recognition I had was Uncle Bill on Family Affair, Kind of a brooding humorless character. Uncle Bill seem to date the most sophisticated, chic, beautiful, and wealthiest women in the world. But he was certainly more content to live with Mr French it seemed Also the were negative undertones that having two daddies had on little Buffy. Implying that she was so in need of a female role model in her life that her doll was an old lady rather than a baby. When Charles Nelson Reilly came on the scene I felt a sigh of relief that gay men were not just humorless or devious characters.
I remember him from "LIDSVILLE" as a kid. I always liked him and saw him on Match Game regularly, but never knew his story. I am also from Hartford, and found his story very interesting and inspiring! Thank you for this wonderful tribute!!!! I'm subscribing!!!!
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.
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. 😉😄 ☮
My first memories of CNR are from his appearances on Match Game. I would watch the day time version in the 70s with my grandmother, usually on rainy days or when I was sick, and he was the one that always stood out to me. Years later, Charles was the only panelist I really remembered from the show. Afterwards, I was always pleased when I would see him guest starring on another show as I knew he would be entertaining at the very least. I always thought he was funny and liked him before, and after, I even knew what being gay actually meant. His personality always seemed to shine through whether on a game show or as a guest star on sitcoms or dramas.
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
He was hilarious, I remember him on the Tonight show doing his comedy telling about his diesel Mercedes ( this is later60s &70s) and pulling into truck stops and trying to explain to the truckers that his little Mercedes was a truck too. Also remember him on the Ghost and Mrs Muir
Charles Riley was always flamboyant, even as a kid from the 70s, but also like Paul Linde and I thought they were actually pretty funny guys. Rip Taylor was another one that was fun. Boy and cracked me up. I didn't really care if they were gay or not.
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!
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.
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?
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 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 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.
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.
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?
Yes! His interaction with Brett Sommers was Comedy Gold. They were such a great break from reality for a few minutes in the day. And if you were home sick from school... You Got Better, even when you didn't want to!
That's what I remember him from! Watched that a lot as a kid.
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?”.
He was awesome. I loved his nervous laugh. What a character. The Ghost and Mrs Muir would not have been the same without him.
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
Funny enough, I was once riding in the valley out there with my friend Henry Polic II from Webster and When Things Were Rotten and others. We had finished breakfast and were headed to his place. We stopped at a light and Henry starts screaming (past me) through my open window, "Deeeeebie!!!!!!!!! DEBBIE!" I looked to my left and there, in the passenger seat of a convertible Rolls was Debbie Reynolds, Henry's friend. She had a scarf over her hair. She waved and said "HI Henry!" And then they zoomed off ahead of us. It was a flash moment.
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.
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?"
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.
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 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 hoot to watch. Always did enjoy his comedy.
RIP Charles Nelson Reilly 🙏
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
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.
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!
Along with Paul Lynd & Rip Taylor, CNR was one of my all time favorite comics.
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.
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.
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.
Along with Jonathan Harris, Monti Rock III, Charles was a touchstone growing up. Thanks for the memories, and inspiration Mr. Reilly.
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 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.
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 can't imagine my childhood without this man popping up on every tv show there was!
I had the biggest grin, seeing you were doing a video on Charles Nelson Reilly. Thanks to TH-cam, 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?
Reilly’s star turn on Xfiles is so incredibly beloved in that fandom. It’s a favorite episode and he was perfect in it.
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!
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is fantastic on a lot of levels. The show wouldn't be the same without him. Impossible
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 TH-cam. What a story! What a life!
I need to see this show! Just the little clips featured here are wonderful.
On TH-cam, 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.
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!
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!
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!)
When I was a kid in the 70s, there was something relatable about Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde, both of who were everywhere on TV then. Basically, the only obviously gay men on TV. At the time, I enjoyed Paul Lynde a bit more, probably because I could see him somewhat more frequently due to Bewitched being a recent show broadcast in reruns. But now I appreciate Charles Nelson Reilly more. He seemed less troubled and more thoughtful than Paul Lynde.
Charles was a big part of my childhood. He was on the Dean Martin show quite often. He was also very visible on MatchGame and in several movies. He was a big part of 60's and 70's and even as a kid I knew he was gay. So was I it helped to have a role model. Thank you Charles! RIP.
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.
Matt! … Thank you so much for sharing this with us all!
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Just knowing Beloved Mr Charles Nelson Reilly’s early childhood on up was very enlightening to know about him as well what he had endured!
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I have a whole new respect, adoration and love for this gentleman, hands-down!
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Matt .. your voice, knowledge and cool energy … makes it more inviting to watch you and your video(s) content even more so!
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Well done!
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Beto.
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.
Off-topic, but I love that rainbow-striped sweater.
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
Ohh, I forgot he was in the “Bic Banana” commercials! I loved him in those! ❤❤
I had no idea Charles survived the Hartford Circus Fire...wow I love this channel.
CNR was a very talented man. I miss him, great actor, director and comedian. Loved his smile. ❤️🙏☮️
CNR was a HUGE part of my childhood. Thanks for uploading!
Charles was consistently funny on Match Game. The reruns on YT are a must re-see.
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.
He and Paul Lynde were my favorite comic actors in the 60s I didn't know why then but now I do
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.
I grew up in the 1960s. John Wayne did not entertain children. Charles Nelson Reilly, Jim Nabors, Paul Lynde, Dick Sargent, Robert Reed, Jonathan Harris, Jerry Lewis and Don Knotts all entertained kids. They were my heroes. Their nonviolent humor did not influence my sexuality but they did teach me to understand a higher level of humor as an adult by starting my love humor as a kid. I know Don Knotts wasn't gay but he did not play masculine characters and he was my all time favorite. These men were not worried about being cool. They played the supporting actors for the adults and the lead actor for the kids.
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 TH-cam 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 TH-cam is great!
I loved that the images they showed for the list of Operas CNR directed, included Die Fledermaus from The Tick comic book! :)😄
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 *loved* "The Ghost and Mrs Muir" as a kid -- the two reasons to watch it were Charles Nelson Reilly and Edward Mulhare (as far as kid me was concerned, anyway). Charles had already been a favorite of mine from when I was little (my grandmother probably actually needed a crowbar to pry me away from the TV if Match Game was on). He was such a delight, and anytime he'd show up in anything I was watching, he always *always* made me smile, just by being there.
it's so nice to hear how sweet and kind he was because I've always loved him!
Great profile on CNR, one of my favorite characters from “back in the day”.
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!
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 see what you did there... when you mention Die Fledermaus (18:40), you used the picture of the Batman parody Die Fledermaus from The Tick cartoon. I love it!!!
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 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!
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. ❤
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.
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 adored Charles Nelson Reilly, he was a brilliant actor, and teacher. "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was one of my favorite sitomes fo the 1960's, "Bewitched" was, and is, my favorite. Thank you for pulling back the curtain and sharing your knowledge, of this amazing actor. And thank you for sharing the link of "The Life of Reilly", it was incredible.
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.
Charles was just amazing. Thank you.
Thank you for posting this. :) Much appreciated.
I loved Brett Somers and Mr Reilly on Match game. they shot 5 shows on a sunday . After game 3 they would have a dinner break with lots of alcohol. the thursday and friday games which are on buzzer and the game show network are very " interesting "
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.
Really good. Glad you left the hijink in.
Was unaware how many friends he had!
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!
I believe the first time I was introduced to CNR was when he played a distant relative of the captain on, "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir." His scarycat antics had me in stitches except for the first episode. The captain was truely frightening until he relented and turned the car around. After that, I was hooked. I grieved when the show was cancelled. It was one of the first "grown-up shows," I really enjoyed as a child
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 💯
My introduction to CNR was 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'. Currently, I'm watching a lot of old Match Game episodes, and loving his improvisations and 'feud' with Brett Sommers.
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 was about the first depiction of a gay character that was not devious or brooding. His characters and roles were funny and lighthearted. I will also give credit to Paul Lynde. They both were not going to apologize for who they were.. They could win their way into your heart with comedy and laughter. Up until then some of the characters I recognized were Dr Smith on Lost in space who always had an ulterior motive and was always trying to undermine the family. Dr Smith depicted so dysfunctional as a human that after the first season or two it seemed that the robot became his partner. Constantly bickering like an old couple. The other early recognition I had was Uncle Bill on Family Affair, Kind of a brooding humorless character. Uncle Bill seem to date the most sophisticated, chic, beautiful, and wealthiest women in the world. But he was certainly more content to live with Mr French it seemed Also the were negative undertones that having two daddies had on little Buffy. Implying that she was so in need of a female role model in her life that her doll was an old lady rather than a baby. When Charles Nelson Reilly came on the scene I felt a sigh of relief that gay men were not just humorless or devious characters.
A lovely tribute. Well done! And thank you.
A little praise for Johnny Carson. He regularly booked Truman Capote, Liberace, Gore Vidal, Paul Lynde and Charles.
Was always entertained by him in his later years. Never knew of his early struggles. 😮 Great video 😊
I remember him from "LIDSVILLE" as a kid. I always liked him and saw him on Match Game regularly, but never knew his story. I am also from Hartford, and found his story very interesting and inspiring! Thank you for this wonderful tribute!!!! I'm subscribing!!!!
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.
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
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. 😉😄 ☮
My first memories of CNR are from his appearances on Match Game. I would watch the day time version in the 70s with my grandmother, usually on rainy days or when I was sick, and he was the one that always stood out to me. Years later, Charles was the only panelist I really remembered from the show. Afterwards, I was always pleased when I would see him guest starring on another show as I knew he would be entertaining at the very least. I always thought he was funny and liked him before, and after, I even knew what being gay actually meant. His personality always seemed to shine through whether on a game show or as a guest star on sitcoms or dramas.
I loved him! His voice was so cool!!
Thanks Matt for letting me know his truth! Much appreciated and loved.
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
I grew up watching the reruns of Match Game, so I'm a life-long fan of Charles Nelson Reilly.
He was hilarious, I remember him on the Tonight show doing his comedy telling about his diesel Mercedes ( this is later60s &70s) and pulling into truck stops and trying to explain to the truckers that his little Mercedes was a truck too.
Also remember him on the Ghost and Mrs Muir
Charles Riley was always flamboyant, even as a kid from the 70s, but also like Paul Linde and I thought they were actually pretty funny guys. Rip Taylor was another one that was fun. Boy and cracked me up. I didn't really care if they were gay or not.
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! ❤
OMG...I had that same ski sweater you are wearing! In 1981! LOL
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."
Thank you for doing this Matt. CNR never got the respect he deserved while alive. A TRUE LEGEND.