Bernie Kopell

Actor

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About

About this interview

In his three-and-a-half hour interview, Bernie Kopell talks about his early years, and stars he encountered as a taxi driver in Los Angeles. He describes his first television gig, on The Jack Benny Program, and later appearing on My Favorite Martian, The Flying Nun, and The Doris Day Show. He recounts making several appearances on The Steve Allen Show, and being cast as “Siegfried” on Get Smart. He discusses his time on Get Smart, working with Don Adams, and creators Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Kopell outlines his role of “Jerry Bauman” on That Girl, starring and executive produced by Marlo Thomas. He speaks of his long run as “Doc Adam Bricker” on The Love Boat, and details working with the cast and various guest stars, including many Oscar winners. He recalls then-more recent roles on Arrested Development and Hawaii Five-O. Jim Colucci conducted the interview on April 19, 2017 in North Hollywood, CA.

"Filming 'The Love Boat' was remarkable because with other shows, you were filming in Hollywood. But when filming 'Love Boat' you could bring your significant other - boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands, children, even some Academy Award winners."

People Talking About ...

Bernie Kopell

Highlights

Bernie Kopell on the popularity of The Love Boat, and on the end of the show

Bernie Kopell on appearing in the 1966 television production of Death of a Salesman with Lee J. Cobb and Mildred Dunnock

Bernie Kopell on getting the role of "Siegfried" on Get Smart, and on his friend Don Rickles

Bernie Kopell on his character, "Doc's," prowess with the ladies on The Love Boat, and on Charo and Tom Hanks guest-starring on the show

Bernie Kopell on favorite Get Smart episodes, and on working with Ted Bessell on That Girl

Bernie Kopell on how he would like to be remembered

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on his early interest in acting and on getting into the profession

On famous people he encountered while driving a cab in Los Angeles, and on early auditions he went on; on meeting Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, and being cast on The Jack Benny Program; on trying to make a living while pursuing an acting career, and on appearing on the daytime drama The Brighter Day with his friend Harvey Korman

On doing accents, and on using them on My Favorite Martian, The Flying Nun, and The Doris Day Show; on getting the role of "Siegfried" on Get Smart

On being fired from The Danny Kaye Show, what he learned from it, and on encountering Kaye later in his career; on appearing on The Steve Allen Show; on favorite sketches and characters of his from The Steve Allen Show

Chapter 2

On getting the role of "Siegfried" on Get Smart, and on his friend Don Rickles; on "Siegfried's" accent on Get Smart, and on his look

On "Siegfried's" relationship with "Maxwell Smart" played by Don Adams on Get Smart, and on show producer Leonard Stern; on appearing in the 1966 television production of Death of a Salesman with Lee J. Cobb and Mildred Dunnock; on his friendship with Frank Sinatra

On King Moody as "Starker" on Get Smart; on Get Smart co-creators Mel Brooks and Buck Henry; on favorite Get Smart episodes; on working with Ted Bessell on That Girl

On participating in Get Smart revivals; on the legacy of Get Smart; on appearing in The Lancelot Link Secret Chimp Hour

On playing "Jerry Bauman" on That Girl; on working with Marlo Thomas, who played "Ann Marie" on That Girl and was also a producer on the show; on favorite memories of shooting That Girl

On the end of That Girl, and on producer Danny Arnold; on the legacy of That Girl; on appearing on Bewitched, directed by William Asher and starring Elizabeth Montgomery

Chapter 3

On his friendship with Frank Sinatra; on appearing in When Things Were Rotten created by Mel Brooks and co-starring Dick Van Patten; on his acting process, his preparation for a given role, and on working with Neil Simon

On the made-for-television movie versions of The Love Boat, which served as pilots, and on Lauren Tewes as "Julie McCoy" on the show; on his Love Boat character's name change from "Dr. O'Neil" to "Doc Adam Bricker," and on playing a sex symbol on the show; on working with several Oscar winning actresses on the show

On being cast as "Doc Adam Bricker" on The Love Boat, and on his experience in the Navy; on working with the cast of The Love Boat; on writing some episodes of the show

On the formula of The Love Boat, and on what his character, "Doc," was like as a doctor; on "Doc's" prowess with the ladies on The Love Boat, and on Charo and Tom Hanks guest-starring on the show

On working with Love Boat producer Aaron Spelling; on The Love Boat theme song; on the popularity of The Love Boat, and on the end of the show

Chapter 4

On guest-starring on Arrested Development; on guest-starring on Hawaii Five-O; on how television has changed since he started

On mentors in his career; on his proudest career achievement, and his regrets; on how he would like to be remembered

Shows

EmmyMag_ReeseKerry.jpg

TVA_20_GovRetreat_Final.jpg

Bernie Kopell

Tab

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Arrested Development

Bewitched

Brighter Day, The

Danny Kaye Show, The

Death of a Salesman

Doris Day Show, The

Flying Nun, The

Get Smart

Hawaii Five-O

Jack Benny Program, The

Lancelot Link Secret Chimp Hour, The

Love Boat, The

My Favorite Martian

Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

That Girl

When Things Were Rotten

Characters & Catchphrases

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Pivotal Career Moments

Pop Culture

TV Theme Songs

Television Industry

Actor

Performers

Comedy Series

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Daytime/Primetime Serials

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Talk Shows

Don Adams

Steve Allen

Danny Arnold

William Asher

Mel Brooks

Lee J. Cobb

Scatman Crothers

Fred Grandy

Shirley Jones

Danny Kaye

Harvey Korman

Ted Lange

Sheldon Leonard

Gavin MacLeod

Ray Milland

Elizabeth Montgomery

Dick Van Patten

Don Rickles

Eva Marie Saint

Frank Sinatra

Aaron Spelling

Leonard Stern

Lauren Tewes

Marlo Thomas

Danny Thomas

All Interviews