About
"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.'"
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.
Highlights
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on how The Larry Sanders Show affected his career and the prospects for a reunion
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
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
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Franklin Hart" on 9 to 5
American Dreamer
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Oscar Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on Jason Bateman as "Michael Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on Michael Cera as "George-Michael" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on Jessica Walter as "Lucille Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on Portia de Rosi as "Lindsay Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on Will Arnett as "Gob Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on David Cross on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on a typical production week for Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development on Netflix
Jeffrey Tambor on episodes of Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on the cancellation of Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on the evolution of "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite storyline from the new Netflix season of Arrested Development and the future of the show
Barney Miller
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Barney Miller
Cop Rock
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on L.A. Law and auditioning for Cop Rock
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on Doogie Howser, M.D.
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
Golden Girls, The
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on The Golden Girls
Hill Street Blues
Jeffrey Tambor on his recurring role on Hill Street Blues
Kojak
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
L.A. Law
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on L.A. Law and auditioning for Cop Rock
Larry Sanders Show, The
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" relationship with "Larry Sanders" on The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show character "Hank Kingsley"
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite Larry Sanders Show guest stars
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show co-stars
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
Jeffrey Tambor on a typical Larry Sanders Show production week
Jeffrey Tambor on classic Larry Sanders Show episodes
Jeffrey Tambor on the final episode of The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on the legacy of The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on how The Larry Sanders Show affected his career and the prospects for a reunion
Jeffrey Tambor on where he sees "Hank Kingsley" in the present
Law & Order
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances
M*A*S*H
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on M*A*S*H
New Adventures of Old Christine, The
Jeffrey Tambor on various guest appearances
Oh Madeline
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Oh Madeline
Ropers, The
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments on The Ropers
Jeffrey Tambor on what he learned from being a series regular on The Ropers
Starsky and Hutch
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Starsky and Hutch
Tales from the Crypt
Jeffrey Tambor on guest-starring on Tales from the Crypt
Taxi
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Taxi
Three's Company
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Three's Company and working with John Ritter
Tracey Takes On ...
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Tracey Takes On...
Topics
Advice
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
Characters & Catchphrases
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show character "Hank Kingsley"
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
Emmy Awards
Jeffrey Tambor on his Emmy nominations
First Big Break
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
New Media
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development on Netflix
Jeffrey Tambor on his series Onion News Empire
Pivotal Career Moments
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Kojak, his first television role
Pop Culture
Jeffrey Tambor on his Larry Sanders Show character "Hank Kingsley"
Jeffrey Tambor on "Hank Kingsley's" Larry Sanders Show catchphrase "Hey Now"
Jeffrey Tambor on his impressions of "George Bluth" and his relationship to his family on Arrested Development
Television Industry
Jeffrey Tambor on the revival of Arrested Development on Netflix
Jeffrey Tambor on his series Onion News Empire
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
Professions
Actor
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
Performers
Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
Genres
Comedy Series
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers (Part 1)
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Jeffrey Brookes" on The Ropers (Part 2)
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "Hank Kingsle"y on The Larry Sanders Show (Part 2)
Jeffrey Tambor on playing "George Bluth" on Arrested Development
People
Jason Bateman
Jeffrey Tambor on Jason Bateman as "Michael Bluth" on Arrested Development
Norman Fell
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
Gary David Goldberg
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
Mitchell Hurwitz
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
Audra Lindley
Jeffrey Tambor on working with Audra Lindley and Norman Fell on The Ropers
Ed McMahon
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
Noam Pitlik
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Barney Miller
John Ritter
Jeffrey Tambor on appearing on Three's Company and working with John Ritter
Garry Shandling
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show
Robert Urich
Jeffrey Tambor on starring in the series American Dreamer
Jessica Walter
Jeffrey Tambor on Jessica Walter as "Lucille Bluth" on Arrested Development
Henry Winkler
Jeffrey Tambor on his favorite moments of Arrested Development
Alan Zweibel
Jeffrey Tambor on being cast as "Hank Kingsley" on The Larry Sanders Show