Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly (born January 13, 1931) 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.

Related Topics:
Bronx, New York - 1931 - 1944 - 13 - Hartford Circus Fire - Hartford, Connecticut

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Reilly made his first movie appearance in 1957, playing an uncredited role in the Elia Kazan film A Face in the Crowd. 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 Bye Bye Birdie. Reilly would go on to win a coveted Tony Award for his performance in 1962's How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and he was nominated for another Tony two years later, for his work in Hello, Dolly!.

Related Topics:
1957 - Elia Kazan - A Face in the Crowd - Off-Broadway - Broadway - 1960 - Bye Bye Birdie - Tony Award - 1962 - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying - Hello, Dolly!

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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 The Steve Lawrence Show, which aired for a single season. From 1968 to 1970, he appreared as uptight, Waspy "Claymore Gregg" on the television series The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, 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.

Related Topics:
1965 - Steve Lawrence - 1968 - 1970 - The Ghost and Mrs. Muir - Hope Lange - Edward Mulhare - Hello, Dolly - Eileen Brennan

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In 1971, he appeared as the evil magician "Hoodoo" in Lidsville, 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 Uncle Croc's Block, that Reilly's voice and mannerisms were embedded in a generation of young fans.

Related Topics:
1971 - Lidsville - Sid and Marty Krofft - NBC

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During the 1970s, Reilly was perhaps best known for his witchy appearances as a regular panelist on the television game show Match Game.

Related Topics:
1970s - Game show - Match Game

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In the 1990s Reilly made guest appearances as eccentric writer "Jose Chung" in the television series The X-Files ("Jose Chung's From Outer Space") and Millennium ("Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense").

Related Topics:
The X-Files - Millennium

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