Alan Young

Actor

View Full Interview

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About

About this interview

In his three-hour Archive interview, Alan Young (1919-2016) discusses his Scottish and Canadian upbringing and starting his show business career as a teenager on radio. He speaks of "The Alan Young Show" radio program and the television version, and recalls his experiences doing a 'live' television series. He talks about his movies with special effects wizard George Pal and working with Howard Hughes. Young then details the role for which he is best known, that of "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed. He also touches on the many animated voiceovers and television guest appearances he made. Jeff Abraham conducted the interview on February 6, 2001 in Studio City, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I worked it out that you go to an audition feeling you're going to give your concept of what this part is you're not going to try to get anything. If the producer likes it, whether you get the part or not, you've given. It takes away all the anxiety and the weight. That's my best advice. Just give, and then trust."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

03:48

Alan Young on the sponsors of Mister Ed

01:42

Alan Young on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS

04:23

Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

06:26

Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

04:01

Alan Young on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

03:02

Full Interview

Play Full Video

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on radio shows he listened to growing up, and learning how to do voices on radio; on appearing on the radio in Canada

On doing "The Alan Young Show" on radio; on Jim Backus being added to the cast of radio's "Alan Young Show," and on episodes of the shows; on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

Chapter 2

On doing his radio show from Hollywood, and on meeting legends like Jack Benny; on doing live stage shows, and on creating The Alan Young Show for television; on his earliest experiences of television

On The Alan Young Show; on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra; on winning Emmy Awards for The Alan Young Show

On how The Alan Young Show changed and evolved over the time it was on the air and on working with animals; on Joe Besser guest-starring on The Alan Young Show; on the end of the show

Chapter 3

On The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel; on appearing in various feature films; on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

On appearing on Studio One; on appearing in the live Matinee Theater teleplay "Ask Me No Questions"; on appearing in the unsold pilot The Life of Vernon Hathaway

On appearing in various feature films; on the development of Mr. Ed

Chapter 4

On the sponsors of Mister Ed; on Mister Ed transforming from pilot to series; on finding the voice for Mister Ed, and on how they made the horse talk

On his relationship with the horse "Mister Ed," and the supporting cast of the show; on the writers of Mister Ed; on the theme song for Mister Ed

On a typical workweek on Mister Ed; on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS; on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

Chapter 5

On various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West; on directing episode of Mister Ed; on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

On the Hollywood Blacklist; on appearing on Broadway; on his involvement with the Christian Science Church

On his career doing voiceovers; on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere; on guest-starring on General Hospital

Chapter 6

On guest starring on Coach; on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie; on appearing in "Beverly Hills Cop III"

On guest-starring on various series; on then-current projects; on career achievements and regrets

On his faith and on his family; on advice to an aspiring actor; on various people with whom he's worked in his career

Chapter 7

B-roll photos from his career- on the set of Pantomime Quiz; doing his stand-up act; with his vocalist from his radio show; on the set of The Alan Young Show ; with Ceasar Romero; doing a sketch on The Alan Young Show ; pirate sketch from The Alan Young Show; doing an Englishman sketch on The Alan Young Show ; another Englishman sketch on The Alan Young Show ; on the set of Death Valley Days; with "Mister Ed"; with "Mister Ed" and his Patsy Award; doing a Magic Trick on the set of Mister Ed; with Connie Heines; on the set of Mister Ed; ad for The Alan Young Show; with "Mister Ed"; with "Mister Ed"

Shows

Alan Young Show, The

Alan Young on doing live stage shows, and on creating The Alan Young Show for television

03:54

Alan Young on The Alan Young Show

03:24

Alan Young on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra

03:36

Alan Young on winning Emmy Awards for The Alan Young Show

01:33

Alan Young on how The Alan Young Show changed and evolved over the time it was on the air and on working with animals

05:21

Alan Young on Joe Besser guest-starring on The Alan Young Show

01:57

Alan Young on the end of The Alan Young Show

02:41

Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

05:32

Coach

Alan Young on guest starring on Coach

01:15

General Hospital

Alan Young on guest starring on General Hospital

04:02

Hart to Hart

Alan Young on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie

01:06

Mister Ed

Alan Young on the development of Mr. Ed

11:27

Alan Young on the sponsors of Mister Ed

01:42

Alan Young on Mister Ed transforming from pilot to series

03:31

Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

04:01

Alan Young on his relationship with the horse "Mister Ed," and the supporting cast of the show

03:05

Alan Young on the writers of Mister Ed

01:57

Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

01:09

Alan Young on a typical workweek on Mister Ed

04:10

Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

02:43

Alan Young on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS

04:23

Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

01:20

Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

06:26

Alan Young on directing episode of Mister Ed

01:44

Alan Young on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

03:02

NBC Matinee Theater

Alan Young on appearing in the live Matinee Theater teleplay "Ask Me No Questions"

00:58

Smurfs, The

Alan Young on voicing characters in the animated series The Smurfs

01:12

St. Elsewhere

Alan Young on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

01:13

Studio One

Alan Young on appearing on Studio One

01:35

Topics

Advice

Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

01:18

Anthology Drama

Alan Young on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

03:39

Characters & Catchphrases

Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

04:01

Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

02:43

Emmy Awards

Alan Young on winning Emmys for The Alan Young Show

01:33

Hollywood Blacklist

Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:23

Industry Crossroads

Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:23

Pop Culture

Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

04:01

Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

01:09

Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

02:43

TV Theme Songs

Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

01:09

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Alan Young on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

03:39

Television Industry

Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:23

Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

01:18

Professions

Actor

View Profession

Alan Young on guest starring on a soap opera (General Hospital)

01:15

Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

01:18

Performers

View Profession

Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

01:18

Genres

Animation

Alan Young on voicing characters in the animated series The Smurfs

00:21

Classic Anthology Series

Alan Young on appearing on Studio One and NBC Matinee Theater

02:33

Comedy Series

Alan Young on the development of Mr. Ed

11:27

Alan Young on playing "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed

28:01

Alan Young on playing "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed

11:12

Alan Young on guest starring on Coach

01:15

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Alan Young on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie

01:06

Daytime/Primetime Serials

Alan Young on guest starring on General Hospital

04:02

Medical Dramas

Alan Young on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

01:13

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Alan Young on his first TV show The Alan Young Show

18:32

Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

05:32

People

Jim Backus

View Person Page

Alan Young on Jim Backus being added to the cast of radio's "Alan Young Show," and on episodes of the shows

06:08

Jack Benny

View Person Page

Alan Young on doing his radio show from Hollywood, and on meeting legends like Jack Benny

04:34

George Burns

View Person Page

Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

01:20

Jimmy Durante

View Person Page

Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

03:48

Clint Eastwood

View Person Page

Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

06:26

William Frawley

View Person Page

Alan Young on William Frawley

00:26

Zsa Zsa Gabor

View Person Page

Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

01:20

Howard Hughes

View Person Page

Alan Young on Howard Hughes

Al Jolson

View Person Page

Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

03:48

Stan Laurel

View Person Page

Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

05:32

Ralph Levy

View Person Page

Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

05:32

Marilyn Monroe

View Person Page

Alan Young on Marilyn Monroe

03:54

Vincent Price

View Person Page

Alan Young on Vincent Price

00:27

Ronald Reagan

View Person Page

Alan Young on Ronald Reagan

02:20

Frank Sinatra

View Person Page

Alan Young on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra

03:36

Sharon Tate

View Person Page

Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars Sharon Tate, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

01:20

Shirley Temple

View Person Page

Alan Young on Shirley Temple

01:31

Mae West

View Person Page

Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

06:26