"I have a constant dialogue in my head between the bitter, disappointed resentful me, and what a rotten business it is, versus how lucky I am that I am in this business, and what wonderful people I know as a result of it, and what a great time I've had. I'd have to say that the latter wins out all the time."

    About This Interview

    In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Tony Roberts talks about his early life and growing up around famous people like Zero Mostel, and how that led to his interest in becoming a comedic performer. He describes his comedic influences, including Hiram Sherman, Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, and Milton Berle, with whom he worked in Las Vegas on his first show business job at age 23. Roberts discusses various aspects of being a comedic actor, including doing improv, playing to an audience, and his distaste for television sitcoms. He concludes by outlining the ups and downs of his career, and how he’s enjoyed acting overall. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on April 8, 2005 in New York, NY.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on growing up around famous people

    02:32
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on improv comedy, and on why he avoids watching sitcoms

    10:10
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on taking chances in comedy, the use of the laugh track, and on Milton Berle

    03:45
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on how an actor deals with being typecast

    03:45
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on how he feels about his career

    02:18
    Thumbnail of Tony Roberts with Emerson College

    Tony Roberts on how different audiences react to comedy

    05:17
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On growing up around famous people, including Zero Mostel; on his early aspirations to be an actor, and on doing dramatic and comedic roles; on the craft of being a straight man, and on his philosophy of comedy

    11:41

    On how different audiences react to comedy; on the comedic actor Hiram Sherman, and on what he learned from him as well as Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and others; on learning comedic technique from Milton Berle, and on farce

    18:22

    On improv comedy, and on why he avoids watching sitcoms; on taking chances in comedy, the use of the laugh track, and on Milton Berle; on working with Woody Allen

    16:54

    On dealing with the peaks and valleys of an actor's career; on an actor dealing with and learning from his audience

    09:59

    Chapter 2

    On summing up his career as an actor, and how he has navigated it; on the role agents and managers have played in his career

    07:32

    On how an actor deals with being typecast; on how he feels about his career

    06:03

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Tony Roberts on the comedic actor Hiram Sherman, and on what he learned from him as well as Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and others

    04:27

    Tony Roberts on learning comedic technique from Milton Berle, and on farce

    07:44

    Hollywood Blacklist

    Tony Roberts on Zero Mostel and the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:07

    Industry Crossroads

    Tony Roberts on Zero Mostel and the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:07

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Tony Roberts on the comedic actor Hiram Sherman, and on what he learned from him as well as Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and others

    04:27

    Tony Roberts on learning comedic technique from Milton Berle, and on farce

    07:44

    Television Industry

    Tony Roberts on Zero Mostel and the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:07

    Actor

    Tony Roberts on the craft of being a straight man, and on his philosophy of comedy

    03:59

    Tony Roberts on dealing with the peaks and valleys of an actor's career

    08:02

    Tony Roberts on an actor dealing with and learning from his audience

    01:56

    Tony Roberts on summing up his career as an actor, and how he has navigated it

    04:38

    Tony Roberts on the role agents and managers have played in his career

    02:52

    Tony Roberts on how an actor deals with being typecast

    03:45

    Tony Roberts on how he feels about his career

    02:18

    Performers

    Tony Roberts on the craft of being a straight man, and on his philosophy of comedy

    03:59

    Tony Roberts on dealing with the peaks and valleys of an actor's career

    08:01

    Tony Roberts on an actor dealing with and learning from his audience

    01:56

    Tony Roberts on summing up his career as an actor, and how he has navigated it

    04:38

    Tony Roberts on the role agents and managers have played in his career

    02:52

    Tony Roberts on how an actor deals with being typecast

    03:45

    Tony Roberts on how he feels about his career

    02:18

    Comedy Series

    Tony Roberts on learning comedic technique from Milton Berle, and on farce

    07:44

    Tony Roberts on the craft of being a straight man, and on his philosophy of comedy

    03:59

    Woody Allen

    Tony Roberts on working with Woody Allen

    02:57

    Milton Berle

    Tony Roberts on learning comedic technique from Milton Berle, and on farce

    07:44

    Zero Mostel

    Tony Roberts on Zero Mostel and the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:07

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