Daniel J. Travanti

Actor
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his four-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Daniel J. Travanti talks about his early years breaking into television as a guest-star on shows including Route 66, The Defenders, and Gunsmoke. He speaks in detail about the role with which he is  most closely identified, "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues. He also discusses the production of this series and some of the key series' storylines. Travanti then talks about his later work, including the television movies Adam and Murrow, and the police drama series Missing Persons. He concludes with a discussion of his difficulty finding good scripts. Karen Herman conducted the interview on October 13, 2004 in Chicago, IL.

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

“If it's good writing and it's going to be made, it means that the people making it have good taste. And if the people making it have the good sense to hire me, I’m completely on board.”

People Talking About ...
Daniel J. Travanti
Highlights
Daniel J. Travanti on his appearance on an episode of The Bob Newhart Show
00:57
Daniel J. Travanti on his character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," function on Hill Street Blues
05:45
Daniel J. Travanti on his reluctance to discuss Hill Street Blues, and on his acting career
05:55
Daniel J. Travanti on his reluctance to do a series, and then accepting the role of "Captain Frank Furillo" on Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues
05:06
Daniel J. Travanti on the final episode of Hill Street Blues, and on the end of the series
02:43
Daniel J. Travanti on the challenge of playing characters based on real people, like Edward R. Murrow
06:23
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early interest in acting; on his early acting career
On his earliest experiences with television; on early theater roles

Chapter 2
On his distaste for doing interviews; on his television debut, guest-starring on the Route 66 episode "Child of the Night," and on his reluctance to do television; on being cast on Route 66 for being a James Dean type
On appearing on Flipper, and on his issues with early episodic television; on appearing on The Defenders with Robert Redford; on The Defenders director Stuart Rosenberg

Chapter 3
On working with Stuart Rosenberg on The Defenders; on appearing on East Side/West Side with Moses Gunn
On his guest appearance on an episode of Lost in Space; on his early struggles as an actor
On his guest appearances on Gunsmoke; on his appearance on an episode of The Bob Newhart Show; on playing himself on an episode of Newhart

Chapter 4
On working with Sada Thompson on various projects, including Family; on moving to Los Angeles for his acting career, and on appearing in commercials; on appearing on The Doctors and General Hospital
On his reluctance to do a series, and then accepting the role of "Captain Frank Furillo" on Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues; on Steven Bochco finding him to play "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues

Chapter 5
On the casting process of Hill Street Blues, and for the role of "Captain Frank Furillo"; on meeting Steven Bochco and Grant Tinker when he read for Hill Street Blues
On the experience of reading with Barbara Bosson for Hill Street Blues for Steven Bochco; on waiting to hear if he was cast after his audition for Hill Street Blues, and on being approved by Fred Silverman to be cast

Chapter 6
On finding out he was cast on Hill Street Blues; on the premise of Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues, and on the quality of the writing; on his opinion of the notion that Hill Street Blues was the most realistic show on television
On his character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," function on Hill Street Blues; on Hill Street Blues' Emmy wins; on the production of Hill Street Blues
On the ensemble cast of Hill Street Blues; on Veronica Hamel as "Joyce Davenport" on Hill Street Blues; on Michael Conrad as "Phil Esterhaus" on Hill Street Blues, and on the death of the actor

Chapter 7
On Michael Warren as "Officer Bobby Hill" and Bruce Weitz as "Sgt. Mick Belker" on Hill Street Blues; on the ensemble cast of Hill Street Blues; on his relationship with the writers of Hill Street Blues
On his Hill Street Blues character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," alcoholism; on the Hill Street Blues episode "Remembrance of Hits Past," where his character "Captain Frank Furillo" is shot; on the final episode of Hill Street Blues, and on the end of the series
On appearing in A Case of Libel, and on playing "John Walsh" in Adam; on starring as "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow

Chapter 8
On playing "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow; on the challenge of playing characters based on real people, like Edward R. Murrow; on starring in Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder and various feature films
On appearing on American Playhouse in the episode "I Never Sang for My Father"; on starring in the series Missing Persons and Poltergeist: The Legacy; on the life of an actor

Chapter 9
On guest-starring on The Outer Limits; on moving to Chicago; on career highlights
On advice to aspiring actors, and on career highlights and regrets; on his reluctance to discuss Hill Street Blues, and on his acting career
Shows

Adam

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing in A Case of Libel, and on playing "John Walsh" in Adam
07:13

American Playhouse

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on American Playhouse in the episode "I Never Sang for My Father"
00:59

Bob Newhart Show, The (1972-78)

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Daniel J. Travanti on his appearance on an episode of The Bob Newhart Show
00:57

Defenders, The

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on The Defenders with Robert Redford
06:25
Daniel J. Travanti on The Defenders director Stuart Rosenberg
01:21
Daniel J. Travanti on working with Stuart Rosenberg on The Defenders
01:16

Doctors, The

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on The Doctors and General Hospital
03:41

East Side/West Side

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on East Side/West Side with Moses Gunn
10:28

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Daniel J. Travanti on Hill Street Blues' Emmy wins
01:32

Family

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Daniel J. Travanti on working with Sada Thompson on various projects, including Family
01:29

Flipper

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on Flipper, and on his issues with early episodic television
02:26

General Hospital

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on The Doctors and General Hospital
03:41

Gunsmoke

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Daniel J. Travanti on his guest appearances on Gunsmoke
03:58

Hill Street Blues

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Daniel J. Travanti on his reluctance to do a series, and then accepting the role of "Captain Frank Furillo" on Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues
05:06
Daniel J. Travanti on Steven Bochco finding him to play "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues
14:41
Daniel J. Travanti on the casting process of Hill Street Blues, and for the role of "Captain Frank Furillo"
04:45
Daniel J. Travanti on meeting Steven Bochco and Grant Tinker when he read for Hill Street Blues
08:33
Daniel J. Travanti on the experience of reading with Barbara Bosson for Hill Street Blues for Steven Bochco
08:48
Daniel J. Travanti on waiting to hear if he was cast after his audition for Hill Street Blues, and on being approved by Fred Silverman to be cast
06:45
Daniel J. Travanti on the premise of Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues, and on the quality of the writing
06:33
Daniel J. Travanti on Hill Street Blues' Emmy wins
01:34
Daniel J. Travanti on the production of Hill Street Blues
01:40
Daniel J. Travanti on finding out he was cast on Hill Street Blues
02:37
Daniel J. Travanti on his opinion of the notion that Hill Street Blues was the most realistic show on television
03:19
Daniel J. Travanti on his character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," function on Hill Street Blues
05:45
Daniel J. Travanti on the ensemble cast of Hill Street Blues
01:28
Daniel J. Travanti on Veronica Hamel as "Joyce Davenport" on Hill Street Blues
03:51
Daniel J. Travanti on Michael Conrad as "Phil Esterhaus" on Hill Street Blues, and on the death of the actor
02:14
Daniel J. Travanti on Michael Warren as "Officer Bobby Hill" and Bruce Weitz as "Sgt. Mick Belker" on Hill Street Blues
02:25
Daniel J. Travanti on the ensemble cast of Hill Street Blues
06:45
Daniel J. Travanti on his relationship with the writers of Hill Street Blues
03:03
Daniel J. Travanti on his Hill Street Blues character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," alcoholism
02:15
Daniel J. Travanti on the Hill Street Blues episode "Remembrance of Hits Past" where his character, "Captain Frank Furillo," is shot
01:39
Daniel J. Travanti on the final episode of Hill Street Blues, and on the end of the series
02:43
Daniel J. Travanti on his reluctance to discuss Hill Street Blues, and on his acting career
05:55

Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder

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Daniel J. Travanti on starring in Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder and various feature films
04:17

Lost in Space

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Daniel J. Travanti on his guest appearance on an episode of Lost in Space
00:46

Missing Persons

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Daniel J. Travanti on starring in the series Missing Persons
09:03

Murrow

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Daniel J. Travanti on starring as "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
02:03
Daniel J. Travanti on playing "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
03:19

Newhart

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Daniel J. Travanti on playing himself on an episode of Newhart
04:55

Outer Limits, The (1995-2002)

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Daniel J. Travanti on guest-starring on The Outer Limits
01:32

Poltergeist: The Legacy

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Daniel J. Travanti on starring in Poltergeist: The Legacy and his semi-retirement
03:30

Route 66

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Daniel J. Travanti on his television debut, guest-starring on the Route 66 episode "Child of the Night," and on his reluctance to do television
06:09
Daniel J. Travanti on being cast on Route 66 for being a James Dean type
07:13
Topics

Advice

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Daniel J. Travanti on advice to aspiring actors, and on career highlights and regrets
06:26

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Daniel J. Travanti on his character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," function on Hill Street Blues
05:45

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Daniel J. Travanti on Hill Street Blues' Emmy wins
01:34

First Big Break

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Daniel J. Travanti on finding out he was cast on Hill Street Blues
02:37

Pivotal Career Moments

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Daniel J. Travanti on finding out he was cast on Hill Street Blues
02:37

Pop Culture

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Daniel J. Travanti on his character, "Captain Frank Furillo's," function on Hill Street Blues
05:45

Television Industry

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Daniel J. Travanti on advice to aspiring actors, and on career highlights and regrets
06:26
Professions

Actor

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Daniel J. Travanti on the challenge of playing characters based on real people, like Edward R. Murrow
06:23
Daniel J. Travanti on the life of an actor
00:56

Performers

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Daniel J. Travanti on the challenge of playing characters based on real people, like Edward R. Murrow
06:23
Daniel J. Travanti on the life of an actor
00:56
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on American Playhouse in the episode "I Never Sang for My Father"
00:59
Daniel J. Travanti on guest-starring on The Outer Limits
01:32

Comedy Series

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on his appearance on an episode of The Bob Newhart Show
00:57
Daniel J. Travanti on playing himself on an episode of Newhart
04:55

Commercials

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Daniel J. Travanti on moving to Los Angeles for his acting career, and on appearing in commercials
03:37

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on playing "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues
14:41
Daniel J. Travanti on the casting process of Hill Street Blues
28:57
Daniel J. Travanti on starring on Hill Street Blues
29:03
Daniel J. Travanti on playing "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues
18:50
Daniel J. Travanti on starring in the series Missing Persons
09:03

Daytime/Primetime Serials

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on The Doctors and General Hospital
03:41

Drama Series

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on Route 66
13:22
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on East Side/West Side with Moses Gunn
10:28
Daniel J. Travanti on starring in Poltergeist: The Legacy and his semi-retirement
03:30

Legal Dramas

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on working with Stuart Rosenberg on The Defenders
01:16

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing in A Case of Libel, and on playing "John Walsh" in Adam
07:14
Daniel J. Travanti on starring as "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
02:03
Daniel J. Travanti on playing "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
09:42
Daniel J. Travanti on starring in Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder and various feature films
04:17

Western Series

View Genre
Daniel J. Travanti on his guest appearances on Gunsmoke
03:58
People

Lucille Ball

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Daniel J. Travanti on briefly meeing his idol Lucille Ball
00:59

Steven Bochco

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Daniel J. Travanti on his reluctance to do a series, and then accepting the role of "Captain Frank Furillo" on Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues
05:06
Daniel J. Travanti on Steven Bochco finding him to play "Captain Frank Furillo" on Hill Street Blues
14:41
Daniel J. Travanti on meeting Steven Bochco and Grant Tinker when he read for Hill Street Blues
08:33
Daniel J. Travanti on the experience of reading with Barbara Bosson for Hill Street Blues for Steven Bochco
08:48

Edward R. Murrow

View Person Page
Daniel J. Travanti on starring as "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
02:03
Daniel J. Travanti on playing "Edward R. Murrow" in Murrow
09:42

Bob Newhart

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Daniel J. Travanti on his appearance on an episode of The Bob Newhart Show
00:57

Stuart Rosenberg

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Daniel J. Travanti on The Defenders director Stuart Rosenberg
01:21
Daniel J. Travanti on working with Stuart Rosenberg on The Defenders
01:16

Fred Silverman

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Daniel J. Travanti on waiting to hear if he was cast after his audition for Hill Street Blues, and on being approved by Fred Silverman to be cast
06:45

Sada Thompson

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Daniel J. Travanti on working with Sada Thompson on various projects, including Family
01:29

Grant Tinker

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Daniel J. Travanti on meeting Steven Bochco and Grant Tinker when he read for Hill Street Blues
08:33

John Walsh

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing in A Case of Libel, and on playing "John Walsh" in Adam
07:14

Michael Warren

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Daniel J. Travanti on Michael Warren as "Officer Bobby Hill" and Bruce Weitz as "Sgt. Mick Belker" on Hill Street Blues
02:25

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