About
“I like to reinvent myself. I don’t like to do what I did 20 years ago. I like playing against what people think of me.”
In her two-hour interview, Leslie Uggams describes her childhood growing up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan and how she began performing at the Apollo Theater at the age of nine. She talks about her appearances on early television shows including Beulah, The Milton Berle Show, and The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club throughout her childhood and teenage years, and being discovered by Mitch Miller on Name That Tune. She goes into detail about working with Mitch Miller on his show Sing Along with Mitch, including the pushback Miller got about having an African American performer on the show and how Miller stood behind her. For Sing Along with Mitch, Uggams also describes the filming process, including the fact that the cast lip-synced their songs. She describes television appearances through the 1960s and tells stories of The Leslie Uggams Show, which made her the first African American woman to headline her own variety series. She shares recollections of the performers she worked with from Frank Sinatra to Jimmy Durante. Uggams describes how she was cast as “Kizzy Reynolds” on Roots, and shares stories of the filming of the show, meeting Alex Haley, working with her castmates, and the on-going impact of the groundbreaking miniseries. She touches on later television appearances of the 80s and 90s before describing more recent acting gigs on The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Empire and in the 2016 film Deadpool. She concludes by describing career highlights and regrets and giving advice to aspiring actresses. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview on June 3, 2016 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Leslie Uggams on the pushback from the network to her being on Sing Along with Mitch because she was African American and how Mitch Miller stood up for her
Leslie Uggams on how she began performing at the Apollo Theater at nine years-old, and working with Louis Armstrong
Leslie Uggams on doing a screen test for Roots and nearly not getting the part because the original old-age makeup was so bad
Leslie Uggams on how The Leslie Uggams Show came about and her efforts to have a diverse crew and writing staff
Leslie Uggams on her appearance in "Deadpool"
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her childhood and early influences; on performing at the Apollo Theater and on television variety shows as a child
On appearing on other television shows as a child; on recording her first album and working with Mitch Miller; on her work on Sing Along with Mitch
On becoming recognizable after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch; on discrimination she faced early in her career; on television appearances in the 1960s
On The Leslie Uggams Show and being the first African American woman to headline her own variety show; on working with Sammy Davis, Jr.
On working with various performers; on winning a Tony Award and performing at the Tonys; on acting on stage versus acting on television
Chapter 2
On being cast as "Kizzy" on Roots; on her relationship to "Kizzy"; on working with John Amos and Madge Sinclair on Roots
On the scene in Roots when her character, "Kizzy" is sold; on working with Roots castmates; on the rehearsal and filming process for Roots
On working with Richard Roundtree on Roots; on the impact of Roots; on the success and legacy of Roots
On Backstairs at the White House; on her game show Fantasy; on television appearances in the 70s and 80s; on appearing on The Good Wife and Nurse Jackie
On appearing on Empire; on her appearance in "Deadpool"; on her greatest career achievements and regrets; on advice to aspiring actresses
Shows
Backstairs at the White House
Leslie Uggams on Backstairs at the White House
Leslie Uggams on her favorite scene in Backstairs at the White House
Beulah
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Beulah at six years-old
Cosby Show, The
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Cosby Show
Different World, A
Leslie Uggams on appearing on A Different World
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Empire
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Empire
Fantasy
Leslie Uggams on her game show Fantasy
Good Wife, The
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Good Wife
Hee Haw
Leslie Uggams on The Leslie Uggams Show being CBS' response to cancelling The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and her show being replaced by Hee Haw
I Spy
Leslie Uggams on appearing on I Spy
Leslie Uggams Show, The
Leslie Uggams on how The Leslie Uggams Show came about and her efforts to have a diverse crew and writing staff
Leslie Uggams on the network's input on guests that appeared on The Leslie Uggams Show and the "Sugar Hill" segments on the show
Leslie Uggams on The Leslie Uggams Show being CBS' response to cancelling The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and her show being replaced by Hee Haw
Leslie Uggams on the legacy of The Leslie Uggams Show
Milton Berle Show, The (1954-56)
Leslie Uggams on getting her start in television as a child on The Milton Berle Show and other variety shows
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Your Show of Shows and The Milton Berle Show as a child and her interactions with the performers and writers
Name That Tune
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Name That Tune as a teenager and how it led to her being discovered by Mitch Miller
Nurse Jackie
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Nurse Jackie
Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club, The
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club
Roots
Leslie Uggams on being cast as "Kizzy" on Roots
Leslie Uggams on meeting Alex Haley on the set of Roots
Leslie Uggams on making the character of "Kizzy" in Roots her own
Leslie Uggams on working with John Amos on Roots and her character, "Kizzy's" relationship with Amos' character, "Kunta Kinte"
Leslie Uggams on the scene in Roots where her character, "Kizzy" visits her father's grave
Leslie Uggams on working with Madge Sinclair, who played her mother on Roots
Leslie Uggams on filming the scene in Roots when her character, "Kizzy" is sold
Leslie Uggams on working with Sandy Duncan on Roots and the relationship between their characters
Leslie Uggams on the scene in Roots where her character, "Kizzy" meets Sandy Duncan's character, "Missy Anne" later in life and "Kizzy" spits in "Missy Anne's" cup
Leslie Uggams on working with Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs on Roots
Leslie Uggams on working with Chuck Connors on Roots
Leslie Uggams on working with Ben Vereen on Roots
Leslie Uggams on the rehearsal and filming process on Roots
Leslie Uggams on working with Richard Roundtree on Roots
Leslie Uggams on her relationship with her Roots character, "Kizzy"
Leslie Uggams on the 2016 remake of Roots and the impact of Roots when it aired in 1977
Leslie Uggams on Alex Haley's involvement in the filming of Roots
Leslie Uggams on the Roots directors she worked with and her interactions with executive producer David L. Wolper and producer Stan Margulies
Leslie Uggams on the success of Roots and what it taught Americans about their own history
Leslie Uggams on the legacy of Roots
Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on her relationship with Mitch Miller and working with him on Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on Sing Along with Mitch and the performers lip-syncing on the show
Leslie Uggams on the wardrobe and makeup for Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on getting recognized on the street after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch Miller and the extra pressure she felt as an African American woman in the spotlight
Leslie Uggams on the pushback from the network to her being on Sing Along with Mitch because she was African American and how Mitch Miller stood up for her
Leslie Uggams on the barriers she broke on Sing Along with Mitch and being the first African American woman appearing weekly on a variety show
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The
Leslie Uggams on The Leslie Uggams Show being CBS' response to cancelling The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and her show being replaced by Hee Haw
Your Show of Shows
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Your Show of Shows and The Milton Berle Show as a child and her interactions with the performers and writers
Topics
Advice
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
Civil Rights Movement
Leslie Uggams on the role television played in the Civil Rights Movement
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Leslie Uggams on the importance of music in her childhood
Emmy Awards
Leslie Uggams on winning a Daytime Emmy for Fantasy
Fame and Celebrity
Leslie Uggams on getting recognized on the street after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch and the extra pressure she felt as an African American woman in the spotlight
First Big Break
Leslie Uggams on how she began performing at the Apollo Theater when she was nine years-old
Leslie Uggams on getting her start in television as a child on The Milton Berle Show and other variety shows
Historic Events and Social Change
Leslie Uggams on the role television played in the Civil Rights Movement
Memorable Moments on Television
Leslie Uggams on her relationship with her Roots character, "Kizzy" and on the impact of Roots around the world
Leslie Uggams on the success of Roots and what it taught Americans about their own history
Leslie Uggams on the impact of Roots when it aired in 1977
Pivotal Career Moments
Leslie Uggams on the importance of music in her childhood
Leslie Uggams on how she began performing at the Apollo Theater when she was nine years-old
Leslie Uggams on getting her start in television as a child on The Milton Berle Show and other variety shows
Leslie Uggams on winning a Tony Award and performing at the Tonys
Pop Culture
Leslie Uggams on getting recognized on the street after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch and the extra pressure she felt as an African American woman in the spotlight
Representation on Television
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club as a child and not being allowed to win a car on the show because an African American boy had already won one on the show
Leslie Uggams on getting recognized on the street after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch and the extra pressure she felt as an African American woman in the spotlight
Leslie Uggams on the pushback from the network to her being on Sing Along with Mitch because she was African American and how Mitch Miller stood up for her
Leslie Uggams on discrimination she faced early in her career and barriers she broke down by appearing on Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on the role television played in the Civil Rights Movement
Leslie Uggams on how The Leslie Uggams Show came about and her efforts to have a diverse crew and writing staff
Leslie Uggams on the success of Roots and what it taught Americans about their own history
Television Industry
Leslie Uggams on how the industry has changed during the course of her career
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
Underrepresented Voices
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club as a child and not being allowed to win a car on the show because an African American boy had already won one on the show
Leslie Uggams on getting recognized on the street after appearing on Sing Along with Mitch and the extra pressure she felt as an African American woman in the spotlight
Leslie Uggams on the pushback from the network to her being on Sing Along with Mitch because she was African American and how Mitch Miller stood up for her
Leslie Uggams on discrimination she faced early in her career and barriers she broke down by appearing on Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on the role television played in the Civil Rights Movement
Leslie Uggams on how The Leslie Uggams Show came about and her efforts to have a diverse crew and writing staff
Leslie Uggams on the success of Roots and what it taught Americans about their own history
We Considered
Leslie Uggams on her relationship with her Roots character, "Kizzy" and on the impact of Roots around the world
Leslie Uggams on the impact of Roots when it aired in 1977
Leslie Uggams on the success of Roots and what it taught Americans about their own history
Professions
Actress
Leslie Uggams on studying acting as a child and later on with Stella Adler
Leslie Uggams on performing on stage versus performing on television
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
Performers
Leslie Uggams on singing on television shows as a child and when she began to seriously studying singing
Leslie Uggams on studying acting as a child and later on with Stella Adler
Leslie Uggams on performing on stage versus performing on television
Leslie Uggams on what she loves about performing
Leslie Uggams on her favorite songs in her repertoire
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
Genres
Comedy Series
Leslie Uggams appearing on Beulah at six years-old
Leslie Uggams on appearing on I Spy
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Cosby Show
Leslie Uggams on appearing on A Different World
Drama Series
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Good Wife
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Nurse Jackie
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Empire
Game Shows
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Name That Tune as a teenager
Leslie Uggams on her game show Fantasy
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Leslie Uggams on getting her start in television as a child on The Milton Berle Show and other variety shows
Leslie Uggams on appearing Your Show of Shows and The Milton Berle Show as a child and her interactions with the performers and writers
Leslie Uggams on her work on Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Leslie Uggams on The Leslie Uggams Show
Reality TV
Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Leslie Uggams on Roots
Leslie Uggams on Backstairs at the White House
People
Stella Adler
Leslie Uggams on studying acting with Stella Adler
John Amos
Leslie Uggams on working with John Amos on Roots and her character, "Kizzy's" relationship with Amos' character, "Kunta Kinte"
Louis Armstrong
Leslie Uggams on how she began performing at the Apollo Theater at nine years-old, and working with Louis Armstrong
Milton Berle
Leslie Uggams on getting her start in television as a child on The Milton Berle Show and other variety shows
Leslie Uggams on an interaction between her mother and Milton Berle's mother on the set of The Milton Berle Show
Johnny Carson
Leslie Uggams on working with Johnny Carson
Chuck Connors
Leslie Uggams on working with Chuck Connors on Roots and filming the scene when his character, "Tom Moore" rapes her character, "Kizzy"
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Leslie Uggams on working with Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sandy Duncan
Leslie Uggams on working with Sandy Duncan on Roots and the relationship between their characters
Jimmy Durante
Leslie Uggams on working with Jimmy Durante
Alex Haley
Leslie Uggams on meeting Alex Haley on the set of Roots
Leslie Uggams on Alex Haley's involvement in the filming of Roots
Stan Margulies
Leslie Uggams on her interactions with David L. Wolper and Stan Margulies, the executive producer and producer of Roots
Peter Marshall
Leslie Uggams on co-hosting Fantasy with Peter Marshall
Dean Martin
Leslie Uggams on working with Dean Martin
Bob McGrath
Leslie Uggams on working with Bob McGrath on Sing Along with Mitch and later reuniting with him on Sesame Street
Mitch Miller
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Name That Tune as a teenager and how it led to her being discovered by Mitch Miller and recording an album with him
Leslie Uggams on her relationship with Mitch Miller and appearing on Sing Along with Mitch
Leslie Uggams on what it was like to work with Mitch Miller and the last time Miller saw her perform
Leslie Uggams on Sing Along with Mitch and the performers lip-syncing on the show
Leslie Uggams on the pushback from the network to her being on Sing Along with Mitch because she was African American and how Mitch Miller stood up for her
Richard Roundtree
Leslie Uggams on working with Richard Roundtree on Roots and filming a particularly tense scene
Frank Sinatra
Leslie Uggams on working with Frank Sinatra
Madge Sinclair
Leslie Uggams on working with Madge Sinclair, who played her mother on Roots
Ben Vereen
Leslie Uggams on working with Ben Vereen on Roots and the scene where her character, "Kizzy" tells his character, "Chicken George" that "Tom Moore" (Chuck Connors) is his father
Flip Wilson
Leslie Uggams on working with Flip Wilson
David L. Wolper
Leslie Uggams on her interactions with David L. Wolper and Stan Margulies, the executive producer and producer of Roots