Jeffrey Tambor

Actor


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About
About this interview

In his over three-hour interview, Jeffrey Tambor talks about his extensive dramatic training in college and under the tutelage of Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He recalls appearing in plays and on Broadway with George C. Scott, and remembers his very first television appearance, on Kojak. He recounts appearances on Starsky and Hutch, Taxi, and Barney Miller and being cast as "Jeffrey P. Brooks" on The Ropers, the short-lived spin-off of Three's Company. He discusses guest roles from the 1980s on Three's Company, Hill Street Blues, Oh Madeline, LA Law, and The Golden Girls, and speaks of being a regular on series Max Headroom, Mr. Sunshine, and 9 to 5. Tambor details his Emmy-nominated role of "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show, shares how he developed his character over time, and recalls working with Garry Shandling. He touches on his extensive voiceover work, and talks of his role as "George Bluth" on Arrested Development, commenting on the show's then-recent revival on Netflix. Jim Colucci conducted the interview on June 19, 2013 in Long Island, NY.

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

"I had auditioned for Garry Shandling to play 'Hank' on The Larry Sanders Show. I called him later that day at about 5:00. They switched the call to his gym. I said, 'I just really need to play 'Hank.'' I said, 'I've never done this.' And Garry said, 'But Hank would.'"  

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
05:39
Jeffrey Tambor on how The Larry Sanders Show  affected his career and the prospects for a reunion
02:22
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
00:43
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
04:22
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
01:01
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences
On his college experience and training at The Beverly Hills Playhouse; on his first television role on Kojak 
On appearing on Broadway; on appearing on Starsky and Hutch
On appearing on Taxi; on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers

Chapter 2

On working with the cast of The Ropers; on what he learned from The Ropers; on appearing on the series Three's Company, M*A*S*H, Hill Street Blues and Barney Miller
On being fired from the series 9 to 5; on guest-starring on L.A. Law; on auditioning for Cop Rock and guest-starring on Doogie Howser, M.D. 
On guest-starring on The Golden Girls and starring in American Dreamer
On being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show; on his co-stars from the show

Chapter 3

On classic Larry Sanders Show episodes; on the legacy of The Larry Sanders Show and what it did for his career; on his voiceover career
On various guest-starring roles; on getting the role as "George Bluth" in Arrested Development; on playing "Oscar Bluth" on Arrested Development
On the cast of Arrested Development; on his favorite moments from the show and its revival on Netflix
On the cancellation of Arrested Development; on the then-future of Arrested Development; on various guest-starring roles and then-current projects

Chapter 4

On then-current projects; on professional achievements and regrets; on advice to an aspiring actor
Shows

9 to 5

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Franklin Hart" on 9 to 5
02:00

American Dreamer

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
03:11

Arrested Development

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
04:22
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
03:01
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Oscar Bluth" on Arrested Development
01:33
Jeffrey Tambor on Jason Bateman as "Michael Bluth" on Arrested Development
01:21
Jeffrey Tambor on Michael Cera as "George-Michael" on Arrested Development
02:05
Jeffrey Tambor on Jessica Walter as "Lucille Bluth" on Arrested Development
00:50
Jeffrey Tambor on Portia de Rosi as "Lindsay Bluth" on Arrested Development
00:43
Jeffrey Tambor on Will Arnett as "Gob Bluth" on Arrested Development
00:33
Jeffrey Tambor on David Cross on Arrested Development
01:19
Jeffrey Tambor on a typical production week for Arrested Development
03:42
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
01:55
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development on Netflix
01:02
Jeffrey Tambor on episodes of Arrested Development
01:34
Jeffrey Tambor on the cancellation of Arrested Development
01:20
Jeffrey Tambor on the evolution of "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
01:11
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite storyline from the new Netflix season of Arrested Development and the future of the show
02:35

Barney Miller

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Barney Miller
02:10

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances 
03:22

Cop Rock

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on L.A. Law and auditioning for Cop Rock
02:16

Doogie Howser, M.D.

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on Doogie Howser, M.D.
02:59

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
01:01

Golden Girls, The

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on The Golden Girls
01:46

Hill Street Blues

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on his recurring role on Hill Street Blues
03:12

Kojak

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
02:10

L.A. Law

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on L.A. Law and auditioning for Cop Rock
02:16

Larry Sanders Show, The

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
05:39
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" relationship with "Larry Sanders" on The Larry Sanders Show
02:21
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show character "Hank Kingsley"
02:34
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite Larry Sanders Show guest stars
01:55
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show co-stars
05:03
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
00:43
Jeffrey Tambor on a typical Larry Sanders Show production week
00:26
Jeffrey Tambor on classic Larry Sanders Show episodes
07:04
Jeffrey Tambor on the final episode of The Larry Sanders Show
01:41
Jeffrey Tambor on the legacy of The Larry Sanders Show
00:49
Jeffrey Tambor on how The Larry Sanders Show affected his career and the prospects for a reunion
02:22
Jeffrey Tambor on where he sees "Hank Kingsley" in the present
00:36

Law & Order

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances 
03:22

M*A*S*H

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on M*A*S*H
00:30

New Adventures of Old Christine, The

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances 
03:22

Oh Madeline

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Oh Madeline
00:21

Ropers, The

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers
06:21
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
02:25
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments on The Ropers
02:28
Jeffrey Tambor on what he learned from being a series regular on The Ropers
01:55

Starsky and Hutch

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Starsky and Hutch
04:22

Tales from the Crypt

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on Tales from the Crypt
01:06

Taxi

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Taxi
06:18

Three's Company

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Three's Company and working with John Ritter
01:39

Tracey Takes On ...

View Show Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Tracey Takes On...
01:14
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
02:50

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show  character "Hank Kingsley"
02:34
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show  catchphrase "Hey Now"
00:43
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
03:01

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
01:01

First Big Break

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
02:10

New Media

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development  on Netflix
01:02
Jeffrey Tambor on his series Onion News Empire
01:57

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
02:10

Pop Culture

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show  character "Hank Kingsley"
02:34
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show  catchphrase "Hey Now"
00:43
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
03:01

Television Industry

View Topic
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development  on Netflix
01:02
Jeffrey Tambor on his series Onion News Empire
01:57
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
02:50
Professions

Actor

View Profession
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
02:50

Performers

View Profession
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
02:50
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers  (Part 1)
06:21
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers  (Part 2)
06:48
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
18:40
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Hank Kingsle"y on The Larry Sanders Show (Part 2)
13:33
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
31:26
People

Alan Zweibel

View Interview Page
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
05:39

Audra Lindley

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
02:25

Ed McMahon

View Interview Page
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
05:39

Garry Shandling

View Interview Page
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
05:39

Gary David Goldberg

View Interview Page
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
03:11

Henry Winkler

View Interview Page
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
01:55

Jason Bateman

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on Jason Bateman as "Michael Bluth" on Arrested Development
01:21

Jessica Walter

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on Jessica Walter as "Lucille Bluth" on Arrested Development
00:50

John Ritter

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Three's Company and working with John Ritter
01:39

Mitchell Hurwitz

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
01:55

Noam Pitlik

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Barney Miller
02:10

Norman Fell

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
02:25

Robert Urich

View Person Page
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
03:11

All Interviews

S