Robert Guillaume

On his childhood and early influences; on going to Catholic School; on joining the Army in 1945; on his college years and transitioning from a business to music major; on the Aspen Music Festival; on theater work in Colorado

On moving to New York to do theater; on his first television appearance, on Julia; on the difficulty of black actors getting on television

On his first television role on Julia; on appearing on Marcus Welby, M.D., All in the Family, and on The Jeffersons

On getting the role of "Benson" on Soap and how he played his character; on audience response to "Benson"

On fellow cast members on Soap; on the controversy the series caused; on working with creator Susan Harris; on his favorite storyline

On starring in Benson, the spin-off of Soap; on the cast and chemistry on Soap; on his favorite episodes and directors

On the concept of Benson; on his contract dispute; on his approach to playing the character; on the end of the series

On producing a television movie; on producing and making guest appearances; on producing and starring in The Robert Guillaume Show; on episodes airing out of order

On working with network executives; on "Phantom of the Opera"; on short-lived series

On his personal life; on forming a publishing company with his second wife

Robert Guillaume on co-starring in Sports Night; on situation comedies; on the importance of a good script;  on the work of which he's proudest; on influential people in his career and the aftermath of his stroke

On African-Americans behind and in front of the camera; on how he would like to be remembered; on colleagues 

On playing "Sportin' Life" on Porgy and Bess