Estelle Parsons

Actress
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her nearly two-hour interview, Estelle Parsons speaks about her pioneering efforts as the first woman political reporter on television for the Today show. She reminisces about Today's early years and working with the show's principals, including anchor Dave Garroway. She talks about her move from behind the camera to her appearances on features for Today, which included book reviews and interviews. Parsons talks about her recurring role as "Bev Harris," "Roseanne's" mother, on the hit ABC sitcom Roseanne. Finally, she comments on her work at the Actors Studio. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 26, 2002 in New York, NY.

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

"I just care that I be a good person and that I follow my impulses in my life."

People Talking About ...
Estelle Parsons
Highlights
Estelle Parsons on being hired as a commentator for Today
06:07
Estelle Parsons on Dave Garroway being hired for Today, and on the show going live
06:16
Estelle Parsons on how her Oscar-winning role in "Bonnie and Clyde" impacted her career
01:45
Estelle Parsons on her role as "Beverly Harris" on Roseanne, and on working with Roseanne
09:43
Estelle Parsons on joining The Actors Studio
01:50
Estelle Parsons on the addition of J. Fred Muggs to Today
02:28
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On her early years and influences; on her earliest memories of television; on being hired as a commentator for Today
On Dave Garroway being hired for Today, and on the show going live; on going in front of the camera on Today; on how she was treated as a woman on the Today set

Chapter 2
On working with Dave Garroway and Jim Flemming on Today; on the addition of J. Fred Muggs to Today; on her day-to-day activities on the show
On signing a loyalty oath during her time on Today and on auditioning for The Actors Studio; on appearing on The Home Show, and on various other jobs she did for NBC
On the challenges of appearing live on Today; on leaving Today, and on appearing on the stage; on joining The Actors Studio

Chapter 3
On her first acting roles on television and on appearing in commercials; on how her Oscar-winning role in "Bonnie and Clyde" impacted her career; on being a guest-star on several series
On appearing on All in the Family; on playing "Bess Truman" in Backstairs at the White House; on hosting the series Mothers By Daughters
On her role as "Beverly Harris" on Roseanne; on working with the cast of Roseanne, and on how the show will be remembered; on then-current projects

Chapter 4
On her advice to aspiring actors; on the characteristics of a good director; on Lee Strasberg and The Actors Studio; on how she would like to be remembered
Shows

All in the Family

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Estelle Parsons on appearing on All in the Family
01:17

Backstairs at the White House

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Estelle Parsons on playing "Bess Truman" in Backstairs at the White House
01:46

Home Show, The

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Estelle Parsons on appearing on The Home Show, and on working with Arlene Francis
03:54

Mothers By Daughters

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Estelle Parsons on hosting the series Mothers By Daughters
01:50

Roseanne

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Estelle Parsons on her role as "Beverly Harris" on Roseanne, and on working with Roseanne
09:43
Estelle Parsons on working with the cast of Roseanne, and on how the show will be remembered
05:53

Today

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Estelle Parsons on being hired as a producer and commentator for Today
06:07
Estelle Parsons on Dave Garroway being hired for Today, and on the show going live
06:16
Estelle Parsons on going in front of the camera on Today
03:20
Estelle Parsons on how she was treated as a woman on the Today set
01:34
Estelle Parsons on working with Dave Garroway and Jim Flemming on Today
05:49
Estelle Parsons on the addition of J. Fred Muggs to Today
02:28
Estelle Parsons on being a "Today Girl" on Today, and on her day-to-day activities on the show
04:29
Estelle Parsons on signing a loyalty oath during her time on Today and on auditioning for The Actors Studio
02:08
Estelle Parsons on returning to Today, and on various other jobs she did for NBC
01:31
Estelle Parsons on the challenges of appearing live on Today
01:18
Estelle Parsons on leaving Today, and on appearing on the stage
01:39
Topics

Advice

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Estelle Parsons on advice to an aspiring actor, and on what makes a good director
03:05

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Estelle Parsons on her mentors in the theater, including Lee Strasberg
03:16

Historic Events and Social Change

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Estelle Parsons on how she was treated as a woman on the Today set
01:34

Pivotal Career Moments

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Estelle Parsons on her mentors in the theater, including Lee Strasberg
03:16

Representation on Television

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Estelle Parsons on how she was treated as a woman on the Today set
01:34

Television Industry

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Estelle Parsons on advice to an aspiring actor, and on what makes a good director
03:05

Women

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Estelle Parsons on how she was treated as a woman on the Today set
01:34
Professions

Actress

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Estelle Parsons on advice to an aspiring actor
03:05

Performers

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Estelle Parsons on advice to an aspiring actor
03:05
Genres

Comedy Series

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Estelle Parsons on appearing on All in the Family
01:17
Estelle Parsons on her role as "Beverly Harris" on Roseanne
16:57

Commercials

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Estelle Parsons on her first acting roles on television and on appearing in commercials, and on Mort Werner
03:28

Drama Series

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Estelle Parsons on hosting the series Mothers By Daughters
01:50

News and Documentary

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Estelle Parsons on being a producer and commentator on Today
17:17
Estelle Parsons on being a "Today Girl" on Today
23:16

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

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Estelle Parsons on playing "Bess Truman" in Backstairs at the White House
01:46
People

Dave Garroway

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Estelle Parsons on Dave Garroway being hired for Today, and on the show going live
06:16
Estelle Parsons on working with Dave Garroway and Jim Flemming on Today
05:49

Lee Strasberg

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Estelle Parsons on her mentors in the theater, including Lee Strasberg
03:16

Mort Werner

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Estelle Parsons on her first acting roles on television and on appearing in commercials, and on Mort Werner
03:28

Roseanne

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Estelle Parsons on her role as "Beverly Harris" on Roseanne, and on working with Roseanne
16:57

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