About
"'Captain Video and His Video Rangers' started off from scratch, no advance notice or publicity. It caught on so rapidly that we caught up with Milton Berle's rating, and he was Mr. Television! He was at 37.6, and we got 37.4 or something... When word got back from the front office that 'Captain Video' was even with Berle, it was unbelievable!"
In his two-hour-and-forty-five-minute interview, Richard Coogan (1914-2014) discusses discovering his love of performing at an early age, doing stage plays with his high school friend. He talks about his days as a radio announcer and being on television as early as 1945, where he worked as an all-around announcer and news anchor in the final days of World War II. He recalls being cast as "Captain Video" in Captain Video and His Video Rangers, speaks of the show's rapid and astonishing success with both children and adults, and describes the challenges of doing a daily live television program on a shoestring budget. Coogan recounts his time at the famed Actors Studio in New York City, his busy Broadway stage career, and his decision to turn down a lucrative contract with 20th Century Fox. He chronicles his six-year run on the daytime drama Love of Life, as well as his stint in the primetime Western The Californians, and touches on various primetime guest-starring roles. He concludes by talking about the craft and profession of acting, his career highlights and regrets, and his great pride in his charity work involving children. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on October 1, 2003 in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Highlights
Richard Coogan on the character and influence of "Captain Video" of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on working with Don Hastings on Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on turning down a contract at 20th Century Fox
Richard Coogan on acting on Broadway with Mae West
Richard Coogan on missing out on his big break with Steve Allen, while friends Don Knotts and Louis Nye got hired
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences
On his early television experiences; on inventing the "Man on the Street" bit; on acting in Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Chapter 2
On his character "Captain Video" on Captain Video and His Video Rangers; on his co-star Don Hastings; on the shooting and production of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
On doing theater; on the impact and phenomenon of Captain Video and His Video Rangers; on the challenges of shooting and fan responses to the show
Chapter 3
On his fame; on leaving Captain Video and His Video Rangers; on getting fired from Love of Life; on the creative team of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
On being replaced and the legacy of Captain Video and His Video Rangers; on studying at The Actors Studio; on turning his back on the studios
Chapter 4
On acting in Love of Life; on the day-to-day schedule of Love of Life; on starring as "Matthew Wayne" in The Californians
On working as a guest actor in various series; on acting in The Clear Horizon; on leaving acting; on the business of acting
Chapter 5
On the process of acting; on live acting verses acting on film; on leaving the business
On his interest in golf and his charity work; on advice to aspiring actors; on changes in the television industry; on career highlights and regrets
Chapter 6
On mentoring and helping children throughout his career; on his mentor; on how he'd like to be remembered
On B-Roll photos from his career: as "Captain Video" at Dumont studios; as "Captain Video" with Don Hastings as "The Ranger"; making a personal appearance as "Captain Video"; with Peggy McCay on Love of Life with Jean McBride; with Phyllis Avery in a CBS series about Cape Canaveral; with his son and Mae West
Shows
Californians, The
Richard Coogan on acting in The Californians
Richard Coogan on his character "Matthew Wayne" in The Californians
Richard Coogan on the cancellation of The Californians
Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on leaving Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the creative team of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on being replaced on Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the legacy of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on how he came to be "Captain Video" on Captain Video and his Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on acting as "Captain Video" in Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the character and influence of "Captain Video" on Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the shooting and production of Captain Video and his Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the impact of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the phenomenon of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on the challenges of shooting Captain Video and His Video Rangers live
Richard Coogan on fan responses to Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on Captain Video and His Video Rangers being the highlight of his career
Clear Horizon, The
Richard Coogan on acting in The Clear Horizon
Love of Life
Richard Coogan on getting fired from Love of Life
Richard Coogan on acting in Love of Life
Richard Coogan on the day-to-day schedule on Love of Life
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Richard Coogan on the character and influence of "Captain Video" of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Richard Coogan on his mentor
Fame and Celebrity
Richard Coogan on his fame
Pop Culture
Richard Coogan on the character and influence of "Captain Video" of Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Television Industry
Richard Coogan on his fame
Richard Coogan on the business of acting
Richard Coogan on changes in the television industry
Professions
Actor
Richard Coogan on what he learned about acting at The Actors Studio
Richard Coogan on the business of acting
Richard Coogan on the process of acting
Performers
Richard Coogan on what he learned about acting at The Actors Studio
Richard Coogan on the business of acting
Richard Coogan on the process of acting
Genres
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Richard Coogan on acting in Love of Life
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Richard Coogan on performing in Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on acting as "Captain Video" in Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Richard Coogan on performing as "Captain Video" in Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Western Series
Richard Coogan on playing "Matthew Wayne" in The Californians
People
Steve Allen
Richard Coogan on missing out on his big break with Steve Allen, while friends Don Knotts and Louis Nye got hired
Don Hastings
Richard Coogan on working with Don Hastings on Captain Video and His Video Rangers
Don Knotts
Richard Coogan on missing out on his big break with Steve Allen, while friends Don Knotts and Louis Nye got hired
Peggy McCay
Richard Coogan on working with Peggy McCay and Bonnie Bartlett on Love of Life
Louis Nye with Emerson College
Richard Coogan on missing out on his big break with Steve Allen, while friends Don Knotts and Louis Nye got hired
Mae West
Richard Coogan on acting on Broadway with Mae West
Richard Coogan on working with Mae West