About
"Even today when people meet me, they are very surprised that I’m not abusive cynical, or difficult, like I was on Carson and Letterman. The shock of people - first they are leery, then they start to realize I'm actually nothing like that. I'm the other."
In his one-and-a-half-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Charles Grodin (1935-2021) talks about his writing career, and writing for specific audiences. He describes his acting training under Uta Hagen, who taught the importance of listening and knowing your lines cold. He speaks of appearing in several feature films, including “Rosemary’s Baby,” “King Kong,” and “Catch-22.” He discusses his talk show “persona,” perfected on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman. Grodin details his experiences as the host of his own show on CNBC, as well as his time as a commentator for 60 Minutes. He chronicles his many dealings with agents and managers over the years, and opines on the role of comedy in history. Jenni Matz and Bill Dana conducted the interview on February 23, 2005 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Charles Grodin on an important lesson Uta Hagen taught him about acting
Charles Grodin on changing his public persona when he hosted The Charles Grodin Show on CNBC
Charles Grodin on the importance of persistence in an acting career, and on appearing in "Rosemary's Baby," "Catch-22," and "King Kong"
Charles Grodin on the feature film "Midnight Run," and on acting with Robert De Niro
Charles Grodin on steering clear of Hollywood in his career, and on "hateful" humor
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On labeling himself according to his talents; on considering his audience when writing; on being influenced by the movie "A Place in the Sun," and on getting into acting
On deciding to get into show business, and on studying acting with Uta Hagen; on his philosophy of acting
On the feature film "Midnight Run," and on acting with Robert De Niro; on acting in various plays, and on the importance of knowing your lines; on important skills and tools for the actor
On the importance of persistence in an acting career, and on appearing in "Rosemary's Baby," "Catch-22," and "King Kong"; on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman; on his brand of comedy, and on figuring out he was funny
On his base of support when he decided to become an actor; on changing his public persona when he hosted The Charles Grodin Show on CNBC; on steering clear of Hollywood in his career, and on "hateful" humor
On the business end of show business, and on dealing with agents and managers; on how his goals in the industry have changed over the years
On expressing himself via his 60 Minutes commentaries and through other avenues; on the role of comedy in history, and how it can help change the world
Shows
60 Minutes
Charles Grodin on expressing himself via his 60 Minutes commentaries and through other avenues
Charles Grodin Show, The
Charles Grodin on changing his public persona when he hosted The Charles Grodin Show on CNBC
Late Night with David Letterman
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Topics
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Charles Grodin on being influenced by the movie "A Place in the Sun," and on getting into acting
Pivotal Career Moments
Charles Grodin on being influenced by the movie "A Place in the Sun," and on getting into acting
Charles Grodin on deciding to get into show business, and on studying acting with Uta Hagen
Television Industry
Charles Grodin on the business end of show business, and on dealing with agents and managers
Charles Grodin on how his goals in the industry have changed over the years
Professions
Actor
Charles Grodin on an important lesson Uta Hagen taught him in acting
Charles Grodin on his philosophy of acting
Charles Grodin on important skills and tools for the actor
Charles Grodin on his base of support when he decided to become an actor
Comedian
Charles Grodin on his brand of comedy, and on figuring out he was funny
Performers
Charles Grodin on labeling himself according to his talents
Charles Grodin on an important lesson Uta Hagen taught him in acting
Charles Grodin on his philosophy of acting
Charles Grodin on important skills and tools for the actor
Charles Grodin on his brand of comedy, and on figuring out he was funny
Charles Grodin on his base of support when he decided to become an actor
Writers
Charles Grodin on considering his audience when writing
Genres
News and Documentary
Charles Grodin on expressing himself via his 60 Minutes commentaries and through other avenues
Talk Shows
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Charles Grodin on changing his public persona when he hosted The Charles Grodin Show on CNBC
People
Johnny Carson
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Uta Hagen
Charles Grodin on deciding to get into show business, and on studying acting with Uta Hagen
Charles Grodin on an important lesson Uta Hagen taught him about acting
David Letterman
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
Robert De Niro
Charles Grodin on the feature film "Midnight Run," and on acting with Robert De Niro