About
"I was sort of the ragamuffin, the kid who was not the rich kid's child. I was sort of the poverty-stricken one who couldn't afford braces and glasses. Terrible haircut. And slowly that became my signature, being the kind of the goofy-looking kid next door, and now that's all the rage. Nerds control the world."
In his nearly three-hour interview, Barry Livingston discusses his early start in acting, following in the footsteps of his older brother, actor Stanley Livingston. He describes an early recurring role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and then details how he was cast on the show for which he's best known, My Three Sons. He talks about the sitcom's unusual production schedule, explains the transition of his character "Ernie" from boy next door to adopted son, and tells of working with his castmates, including his real-life brother Stanley and movie star Fred MacMurray. Livingston chronicles his move to New York to study acting when My Three Sons ended and describes his work on Broadway and in TV roles on Sons and Daughters, Streets of San Francisco, and Doogie Howser, M.D. He discusses some of his film work, as well as guest roles on The New Adventures of Old Christine, Big Love, and Mad Men. Livingston also talks about his book, The Importance of Being Ernie, and offers advice to aspiring actors. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on September 27, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Barry Livingston on how he got cast as a regular on My Three Sons and working with his real-life brother
Barry Livingston on his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas" and how he moved from the boy next door to adopted son
Barry Livingston on getting a semi-regular role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and working with Ozzie Nelson
Barry Livingston on meeting Elvis Presley on the lot while filming "My Six Loves"
Barry Livingston on writing a book, "The Importance of Being Ernie"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on how he got his start in acting
On the audition process when he was a child actor; on how he learned lines; on appearing on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater
On getting a semi-regular role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and working with the Nelson family
On roles in the films "The Errand Boy", "My Six Loves", and "Papa's Delicate Condition"; on appearing on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show
On how he got cast on My Three Sons; on his character's transition from the boy next door to adopted son; on working with his real-life brother
On a typical production week on My Three Sons and accommodating star Fred MacMurray
Chapter 2
On dealing with the unusual production schedule on My Three Sons; on producer Fred De Cordova; on attending school on set and later attending public school
On working with the cast of My Three Sons
On the atmosphere on the set of My Three Sons; on the appeal of the show, why it went off the air, and the legacy of My Three Sons
On studying acting in New York; on roles in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Streets of San Francisco, and Sons and Daughters
On appearing on Broadway in "Skin of Our Teeth"; on being unemployed for a while and appearing on TV episodes here and there
On his recurring role on Doogie Howser, M.D.; on his work with repertory theater in Los Angeles
Chapter 3
On on his role in the TV movie High School U.S.A. in which former child stars play the teachers to then-current child stars
On voiceover work and appearances on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Will & Grace and other TV movies; on meeting Adam Sandler and appearing in a Super Bowl commercial
On appearances on Mad Men, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Big Love, "Argo" and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
On appearing in the Clint Eastwood-directed film "Jersey Boys"; on writing a book, "The Importance of Being Ernie"; on doing autograph shows
On fame, advice to aspiring actors, and where he sees himself in 10 years
Shows
Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet, The
Barry Livingston on getting fired from and then re-hired later on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Barry Livingston on getting a semi-regular role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and working with Ozzie Nelson
Barry Livingston on working with Harriet, Rick, and Dave Nelson on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Barry Livingston on how his role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet impacted his career
Big Love
Barry Livingston on appearing in several episodes of Big Love
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Barry Livingston on appearing on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater
Dick Van Dyke Show, The
Barry Livingston on appearing in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Barry Livingston on his recurring role as "Dr. Rickett" on Doogie Howser, M.D.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Barry Livingston on appearing in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Barry Livingston on playing a villainous character on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lucy Show, The
Barry Livingston on appearing as "Arnold Mooney" on The Lucy Show
Mad Men
Barry Livingston on meeting Matthew Weiner and appearing on Mad Men
My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on how he got cast as a regular on My Three Sons and working with his real-life brother
Barry Livingston on the premise of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on joining an existing hit show when he joined My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas" and how he moved from the boy next door to adopted son
Barry Livingston on his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas'" strengths and weaknesses and how the character evolved
Barry Livingston on a My Three Sons storyline that co-worker Don Grady disagreed with - separate beds for his married character and his wife; on other censorship issues on the show
Barry Livingston on the look and wardrobe of his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas'"
Barry Livingston on a typical production week on My Three Sons and accommodating star Fred MacMurray
Barry Livingston on dealing with the unusual production schedule on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on working with My Three Sons creator Don Fedderson and the directors and producers
Barry Livingston on attending school on the set of My Three Sons and later returning to public school
Barry Livingston on working with the cast of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on the atmosphere on the set of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on the addition of three female characters to My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on how fans reacted to him when he was on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on the appeal of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on pressure to be a role model on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on promotions for My Three Sons and whether or not he watched the show
Barry Livingston on not thinking about leaving My Three Sons and his favorite episodes of the show
Barry Livingston on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the "Ernie and Zsa Zsa" episode of My Three Sons and working with Rose Marie on another episode
Barry Livingston on why My Three Sons ended
Barry Livingston on his residual deal at the end of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on the legacy of My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on Michael Douglas trying to develop a My Three Sons movie
New Adventures of Old Christine, The
Barry Livingston on guest-starring on The New Adventures of Old Christine
Sons and Daughters (1974)
Barry Livingston on how he got cast on Sons and Daughters
Barry Livingston on the premise of Sons and Daughters and working with Glynnis O'Connor and Richard Donner
Streets of San Francisco, The
Barry Livingston on appearing on Streets of San Francisco
Will & Grace
Barry Livingston on guest-starring with Michael Douglas on Will & Grace
Topics
Advice
Barry Livingston on advice for aspiring actors
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Barry Livingston on a My Three Sons storyline that co-worker Don Grady disagreed with - separate beds for his married character and his wife
Barry Livingston on censorship issues with cursing on My Three Sons
Characters & Catchphrases
Barry Livingston on his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas" and how he moved from the boy next door to adopted son; on "Ernie's" strengths and weaknesses
Fame and Celebrity
Barry Livingston on how fans reacted to him when he was on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on how fame has affected his life
Pop Culture
Barry Livingston on his My Three Sons character "Ernie Thompson Douglas" and how he moved from the boy next door to adopted son; on "Ernie's" strengths and weaknesses
Television Industry
Barry Livingston on a My Three Sons storyline that co-worker Don Grady disagreed with - separate beds for his married character and his wife
Barry Livingston on censorship issues with cursing on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on how fans reacted to him when he was on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on how fame has affected his life
Barry Livingston on advice for aspiring actors
Professions
Actor
Barry Livingston on learning lines when he was a child
Barry Livingston on being a guest actor on an established show
Barry Livingston on advice for aspiring actors
Performers
Barry Livingston on learning lines when he was a child
Barry Livingston on being a guest actor on an established show
Barry Livingston on advice for aspiring actors
Genres
Comedy Series
Barry Livingston on getting a semi-regular role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and working with the Nelson family
Barry Livingston on getting cast as "Ernie Thompson Douglas" on My Three Sons
Barry Livingston on working with the cast, favorite episodes, and the end of My Three Sons
Commercials
Barry Livingston on appearing in a Superbowl ad for Heineken directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Barry Livingston on appearing off-Broadway and in the TV movie You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Barry Livingston on his role in the TV movie High School U.S.A. . in which former child stars play the teachers to then-current child stars
People
Fred de Cordova
Barry Livingston on adoring My Three Sons producer Fred De Cordova
William Demarest
Barry Livingston on working with the cast of My Three Sons - William Demarest
Richard Donner
Barry Livingston on working with director Richard Donner on Sons and Daughters
Michael Douglas
Barry Livingston on Michael Douglas trying to develop a My Three Sons movie
Clint Eastwood
Barry Livingston on appearing in the Clint Eastwood-directed film "Jersey Boys"
Peter Falk
Barry Livingston on Peter Falk watching his audition for Sons and Daughters
Don Fedderson
Barry Livingston on working with My Three Sons creator Don Fedderson
Michael J. Fox
Barry Livingston on his role in the TV movie High School U.S.A. . in which former child stars play the teachers to then-current child stars
William Frawley
Barry Livingston on working with the cast of My Three Sons - William Frawley
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Barry Livingston on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the "Ernie and Zsa Zsa" episode of My Three Sons
Jackie Gleason
Barry Livingston on working with Jackie Gleason while filming "Papa's Delicate Condition"
Neil Patrick Harris
Barry Livingston on advice to Neil Patrick Harris on Doogie Howser, M.D.
Jerry Lewis
Barry Livingston on working with Jerry Lewis in the film "The Errand Boy"
Stanley Livingston
Barry Livingston on his brother and fellow actor, Stanley Livingston
Barry Livingston on being jealous of the fame his brother Stanley Livingston had achieved and working on a hit series with him
Fred MacMurray
Barry Livingston on a typical production week on My Three Sons and accommodating star Fred MacMurray
Barry Livingston on working with the cast of My Three Sons - Fred MacMurray
Karl Malden
Barry Livingston on appearing on Streets of San Francisco
Ozzie Nelson
Barry Livingston on getting a semi-regular role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and working with Ozzie Nelson
Paul Newman
Barry Livingston on working with Paul Newman in the film "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!"
Elvis Presley
Barry Livingston on meeting Elvis Presley on the lot while filming "My Six Loves"
Carl Reiner
Barry Livingston on appearing in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Debbie Reynolds
Barry Livingston on working with Debbie Reynolds in the film "My Six Loves"
Gene Reynolds
Barry Livingston on working with My Three Sons director Gene Reynolds
Adam Sandler
Barry Livingston on meeting Adam Sandler
Matthew Weiner
Barry Livingston on meeting Matthew Weiner and appearing on Mad Men