About
"You've got to be smart. Talented and smart. If you don’t think you have it, then don’t try it. Do something else. And you have to be able to weather the times when you have nothing. That’s very hard."
In the one-hour solo portion of her interview, Bonnie Bartlett talks about her early years, and working on the daytime drama Love of Life. She recalls guest spots on shows like The Jackie Gleason Show and The Waltons. She remembers playing the role of “Grace Snider Edwards” on Little House on the Prairie, as well as playing "Mamie Eisenhower" in the television movie Ike: The War Years. She talks about acting opposite her husband on St. Elsewhere as “Ellen Craig,” and guest-starring on several shows including Midnight Caller, Wiseguy, and Home Improvement. She details roles on Once and Again, Better Call Saul, and the acclaimed television movie Tuesdays with Morrie. She sums up with career regrets, achievements, and how she’d like to be remembered. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on August 29, 2017 in Studio City, CA.
In the one-hour joint portion of their interview, William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett talk about how they met, and their move to New York. They speak of training with Lee Strasberg, and moving to Los Angeles where they eventually played husband and wife to great acclaim on St. Elsewhere. They talk about winning Emmy awards together, and Bonnie later joining William on Boy Meets World. They conclude by discussing their life together. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on August 29, 2017 in Studio City, CA.
Highlights
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Ellen Craig" on St. Elsewhere
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Mamie Eisenhower" in Ike: The War Years
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on early acting jobs they did together
Bonnie Bartlett on advice to an aspiring actress
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Better Call Saul with Bob Odenkirk
Bonnie Bartlett on starring in The Deliberate Stranger with Mark Harmon
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early life and influences; on her earliest memories of television, and on her first television jobs; on playing "Vanessa" on Love of Life
On guest-starring on The Waltons; on playing "Grace Snider Edwards" on Little House on the Prairie; on playing "Mamie Eisenhower" in Ike: The War Years
On playing "Ellen Craig" on St. Elsewhere; on what she likes about acting, and on her process; on appearing on Midnight Caller, Wiseguy, Home Improvement , and ER
On starring on The Deliberate Stranger, Once and Again, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Better Call Saul; on mentors in her career and advice to an aspiring actress; on career achievements, regrets, and how she'd like to be remembered
Chapter 2
START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE BARTLETT AND WILLIAM DANIELS: On how they met, and on their first impressions of each other; on early acting jobs they did together; on moving to New York
On training with Lee Strasberg; on moving to Los Angeles; on acting together on St. Elsewhere as "Dr. Mark Craig" and "Ellen Craig"
On acting together after St. Elsewhere; on Bonnie joining Boy Meets World; on acting together, and on their life together
Shows
Better Call Saul
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Better Call Saul
Boy Meets World
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on Bonnie joining Boy Meets World
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on winning Emmys for St. Elsewhere
ER
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on ER
Home Improvement
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Home Improvement
Ike: The War Years
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Mamie Eisenhower" in Ike: The War Years
Jackie Gleason Show, The
Bonnie Bartlett on guest spots on shows like The Jackie Gleason Show
Little House on the Prairie
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Grace Snider Edwards" on Little House on the Prairie, and on working with Michael Landon
Bonnie Bartlett on her Little House on the Prairie character "Grace Snider Edwards," and on working with Victor French
Bonnie Bartlett on her favorite Little House on the Prairie episodes, and on leaving the show
Love of Life
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Vanessa" on Love of Life
Bonnie Bartlett on mishaps while acting on Love of Life which was broadcast live, and on leaving the show
Midnight Caller
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Midnight Caller
Once and Again
Bonnie Bartlett on appearing on Once and Again, and on playing mothers
St. Elsewhere
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Ellen Craig" on St. Elsewhere
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on acting together on St. Elsewhere as "Dr. Mark Craig" and "Ellen Craig"
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on winning Emmy Awards for St. Elsewhere
Waltons, The
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on The Waltons
Wiseguy
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Wiseguy
Topics
Advice
Bonnie Bartlett on advice to an aspiring actress
Bloopers
Bonnie Bartlett on mishaps while acting on Love of Life which was broadcast live
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Bonnie Bartlett on mentors in her career
Emmy Awards
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on winning Emmys for St. Elsewhere
Pivotal Career Moments
Bonnie Bartlett on mentors in her career
Television Industry
Bonnie Bartlett on how the industry has changed since she started
Bonnie Bartlett on advice to an aspiring actress
Professions
Actress
Bonnie Bartlett on what she likes about acting, and on doing comedy
Bonnie Bartlett on her process of acting once she gets a script, and on acting in different media
Performers
Bonnie Bartlett on what she likes about acting, and on doing comedy
Bonnie Bartlett on her process of acting once she gets a script, and on acting in different media
Bonnie Bartlett and Williams Daniels on acting together, and on their life together
Genres
Comedy Series
Bonnie Bartlett on performing on stage, and doing guest spots on shows like The Jackie Gleason Show
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Midnight Caller, Wiseguy, Home Improvement, and ER
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on Boy Meets World
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Bonnie Bartlett on appearing on Love of Life
Drama Series
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on The Waltons
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Grace Snider Edwards" on Little House on the Prairie, and on working with Michael Landon
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Ellen Craig" on St. Elsewhere
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Midnight Caller, Wiseguy, Home Improvement, and ER
Bonnie Bartlett on appearing in The Deliberate Stranger, Once and Again, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Better Call Saul
Medical Dramas
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on St. Elsewhere
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Mamie Eisenhower" in Ike: The War Years
Bonnie Bartlett on appearing in The Deliberate Stranger, Once and Again, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Better Call Saul
People
Mark Harmon
Bonnie Bartlett on starring in The Deliberate Stranger with Mark Harmon
Michael Landon
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Grace Snider Edwards" on Little House on the Prairie, and on working with Michael Landon
Jack Lemmon
Bonnie Bartlett on co-starring in Tuesdays with Morrie with Jack Lemmon
Lee Strasberg
Bonnie Bartlett and William Daniels on training with Lee Strasberg
