Fame and Celebrity

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tabs

About

"People create their gods in order to eat them. Then when you meet this god you want an autograph, you want a photograph, shake a hand, hug. What you're doing, in psychological terms, is trying to get a piece of that part of the person that’s a god, for yourself." - Paul Michael Glaser, Actor/Director

Interviewees discuss the cult of celebrity.

Highlights

Paul Michael Glaser on dealing with the fame and celebrity that came along with Starsky and Hutch

05:51

Maria Riva on the difference to the public between a movie star and a television actor as she noted when approached by a fan while accompanying her mother Marlene Dietrich in the 1950s

01:33

Kevin Bright on how the instant success of Friends affected the cast and creators

04:06

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

01:01

Malcolm-Jamal Warner on meeting his fans and the pitfalls of fame

09:16

Who talked about this topic

Edie Adams

Edie Adams on Ernie Kovacs' fatal car accident on January 12, 1962

02:25

Alan Alda

Alan Alda on the downsides of fame

03:49

John Amos

John Amos on celebrity

06:14

John Aniston

John Aniston on his popularity playing "Victor Kiriakis" on Days of Our Lives

01:19

Beatrice Arthur with Emerson College

Beatrice Arthur on fame and celebrity

01:45

Beatrice Arthur on her public persona and private life

01:08

Beatrice Arthur on her huge gay following

02:25

Edward Asner

Ed Asner on being identified with Lou Grant and his fame

04:07

Ed Asner on his celebrity

03:12

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner on celebrity

00:40

Bob Banner

Bob Banner on how fans approached TV star Dinah Shore versus movie star Bette Davis

01:52

Rona Barrett

Rona Barrett on becoming a celebrity herself

01:32

Rona Barrett on becoming a celebrity herself

01:59

Chuck Barris

Chuck Barris on getting recognized once he hosted The Gong Show

01:44

Chuck Barris on being approached by fans

01:37

Sharon Bialy

Sharon Bialy on not casting known celebrities, but having the actors she cast become big stars on Breaking Bad

01:51

Lewis Black with Emerson College

Lewis Black and dealing with fame and celebrity, and on the trajectory of his career

05:50

Linda Bell Blue

Linda Bell Blue on the public's fascination with Michael Jackson and covering the Royal Family

06:50

Linda Bell Blue on interviewing Charles Manson for KCBS in Los Angeles

08:21

Linda Bell Blue on star quality and covering entertainment worldwide

05:25

Linda Bell Blue on covering the death of Michael Jackson

04:04

Linda Bell Blue on the biggest story of her career, covering Anna Nicole Smith for Entertainment Tonight

08:17

Pat Boone

Pat Boone on his first experiences being mobbed by fans

02:38

Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain on "celebrity chefs" and dealing with celebrity

05:35

Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle on fan mail he receives

01:42

Eric Braeden

Eric Braeden on how fans took to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"

01:02

Eric Braeden on how fans react to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"

01:47

Eric Braeden on being recognized as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and encounters with fans

03:23

Kevin Bright

Kevin Bright on how the instant success of Friends affected the cast and creators

04:06

Alton Brown

Alton Brown on what being on the Food Network has meant for his career and being a "cable-ebrity"

03:31

Mark Burnett

Mark Burnett on reality show contestants and their fame

01:44

Ken Burns

Ken Burns on his celebrity

03:11

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton on how fame has affected him

01:25

David Canary

David Canary on how fame has affected him

01:50

Jim Cantore

Jim Cantore on his celebrity from The Weather Channel

03:33

Jim Cantore on his fans' perceptions of him

03:42

Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"

01:30

Marcy Carsey

Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner on problems with Roseanne on the set of Roseanne and how fame changed her

02:52

Chris Carter

Chris Carter on how fame has changed his life

00:49

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright on being anonymous as a voiceover artist and not enjoying some of the perks of celebrity

00:52

Dick Cavett

Dick Cavett on fame

00:50

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain on being a teen idol

02:31

Richard Chamberlain on being the first person interviewed for Entertainment Tonight, and the role of celebrity

03:07

Esme Chandlee

Esme Chandlee on how MGM handled situations that could lead to negative press; on the protective nature the publicists at MGM had for their stars

02:56

Esme Chandlee on working with columnists like Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons

01:45

Esme Chandlee on the publicity of Frank Sinatra's romance with Ava Gardner

02:51

RuPaul Charles

RuPaul Charles on separating his public and private personas

02:04

Michael Chiklis

Michael Chiklis on the fans of The Commish

02:42

Connie Chung

Connie Chung on being recognized and the response to her from Asian-Americans and women

01:11

Dick Clark

Dick Clark on first realizing he was famous

01:32

Roy Clark

Roy Clark on how fame and celebrity has impacted him over the years

02:38

Kevin Clash

Kevin Clash on his dealings with his fans

01:42

Bob Claver

Bob Claver on working with the kids of The Partridge Family and how they dealt with celebrity

01:10

Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and his first experience with "regular people" becoming stars

01:20

Richard Coogan

Richard Coogan on his fame

04:08

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper on dealing with fame and celebrity

01:58

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite on first being aware that newsmen could be recognized in public by their audience; anecdote about Eric Sevareid being recognized at the '52 political convention

02:00

Walter Cronkite on some of the fringe benefits of fame; anecdote about a jewelry store while filming in Houston

02:43

Jane Curtin

Jane Curtin on dealing with celebrity and fame

03:07

Bill Daily

Bill Daily on enjoying fame and celebrity

02:42

Bill Dana with Emerson College

Bill Dana on dealing with fame and celebrity

05:06

Ann B. Davis

Ann B. Davis on her celebrity

03:39

Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue on celebrity

02:03

Patty Duke

Patty Duke on what fans of The Patty Duke Show said/say to her

01:30

Patty Duke on her opinion on fame and getting recognized

01:44

Rebecca Eaton

Rebecca Eaton on the reception to Downton Abbey, and on the show's fans

02:51

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert on how his fame affected his work

00:46

Hector Elizondo

Hector Elizondo on the fame that resulted from his co-starring on Chicago Hope

02:53

Linda Ellerbee

Linda Ellerbee on becoming a minor celebrity in Houston, and how she has dealt with celebrity in her career

02:42

Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks on Jay Leno's 2009 exit from The Tonight Show and move to a 10pm show (The Jay Leno Show)

03:44

Kevin Eubanks on why The Jay Leno Show didn't work

02:52

Edie Falco

Edie Falco on being recognized on the street for playing "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos

00:58

Jamie Farr

Jamie Farr on cross-dressing as "Klinger" on M*A*S*H and reaction from fans from the "Big Mac" episode

02:45

Barbara Feldon with Emerson College

Barbara Feldon on celebrity

02:09

Ray Forrest

Ray Forrest on how many people were watching experimental television in the early days and feedback he received

02:22

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox on fame and celebrity

Albert Freedman

Albert Freedman on Charles Van Doren becoming a celebrity because of his appearances of Twenty One and Freedman realizing the power of television

02:48

James Garner

James Garner on public reaction to Maverick and his fame

05:03

James Garner on his feelings about the press and doing interviews

01:49

Mitzi Gaynor

Mitzi Gaynor on how celebrity has affected her

01:07

Anthony Geary

Actor Anthony Geary on his celebrity during the time of the "Luke and Laura" craze on General Hospital

04:17

Larry Gelbart

Larry Gelbart on how he feels lucky to have had the opportunity to have a soapbox on national television with M*A*S*H where he could speak his mind

01:08

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs on fame and celebrity

06:32

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert on realizing she was famous; on her fans

04:47

Paul Michael Glaser

Paul Michael Glaser on dealing with the fame and celebrity that came along with Starsky and Hutch

05:51

Sharon Gless

Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on getting recognized by and interacting with fans

04:14

Sharon Gless on being hugged by fans, and the impact of Queer as Folk

01:41

Curt Gowdy

Curt Gowdy on broadcasters becoming celebrities

00:54

Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm on how his life changed when Mad Men became successful and he started to get recognized more; on dealing with celebrity

03:06

Don Hastings

Don Hastings on dealing with fame and celebrity

00:43

Hugh Hefner with Emerson College

Hugh Hefner on fame and celebrity, and on the importance of laughter

04:31

Don Herbert

Don Herbert on public reaction to Mr. Wizard

02:27

Hal Holbrook

Hal Holbrook on fame and celebrity, and on being part of an acting company

02:33

Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman on the immediate success of Desperate Housewives

01:16

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on receiving their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

01:55

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on how they've used their celebrity to champion causes

01:36

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on receiving their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

01:55

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on how they've used their celebrity to champion causes

01:36

Geri Jewell

Geri Jewell on the challenges she faced when her manager stole the money she earned from The Facts of Life and how the show's producer Al Burton tried to help her

04:13

Geri Jewell on her experience with "overnight fame" and the impact of her visibility as a person with a disability

02:29

Asaad Kelada

Asaad Kelada on working with the young cast of The Facts of Life and how they handled fame

01:49

Larry King

Larry King on playing himself in movies, television shows

01:25

Walter Koenig

Walter Koenig on attending Star Trek conventions

02:38

Steve Kroft

Steve Kroft on the movement toward more celebrity-driven news

03:14

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow on the sudden popularity of Friends and the cast's appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show

04:06

Lisa Kudrow on how fame affected the cast members of Friends; on not being able to go out in public after their success hit

02:24

Lisa Kudrow on the "overexposure" of the cast of Friends

01:10

Sheila Kuehl

Sheila Kuehl on her interaction with fans of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and how they reacted to her character "Zelda Gilroy"

03:56

Mort Lachman

Mort Lachman on working around fame and celebrity, and on Bob Hope's demanding schedule

Jack Larson

Jack Larson on the instant popularity of "Jimmy Olsen" on Adventures of Superman and being typecast as an actor

02:34

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess and being a feminist icon

02:00

Lucy Lawless on how celebrity has affected her

02:05

Vicki Lawrence

Vicki Lawrence on how Carol Burnett approached fame and celebrity, and on not feeling like a celebrity herself

Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis on celebrity

03:47

James Lipton

James Lipton on hosting Inside the Actors Studio, and on the fame that resulted

01:40

Barry Livingston

Barry Livingston on how fans reacted to him when he was on My Three Sons

02:15

Barry Livingston on how fame has affected his life

01:48

Chuck Lorre

Chuck Lorre on Roseanne Barr singing the National Anthem

00:21

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus on how iconic Seinfeld became and when she first realized how big an audience the show had amassed

03:51

Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow on how his life changed after his hit single "Mandy" was released, and on the fame that resulted

02:03

Randolph Mantooth

Randolph Mantooth on his fame

01:46

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall on how celebrity has affected her

02:24

Bob May

Bob May on the fan mail he received while on Lost in Space

00:49

David McCallum

David McCallum on the popularity of his character, "Illya Kuryakin", on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and dealing with celebrity for the first time

06:20

S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson on cops and fans approaching her with compliments while she was cast on Law & Order

04:21

S. Epatha Merkerson on her fans

01:30

Diana Muldaur

Diana Muldaur on fame and celebrity

01:02

Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart on how fame has affected his career

01:15

Laraine Newman

Laraine Newman on her fame from Saturday Night Live and who the show appealed to

03:51

Laraine Newman on fan encounters during her time on Saturday Night Live

01:58

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy on the ups and downs of fame

01:17

Agnes Nixon

Agnes Nixon on the fan mail for All My Children

01:03

Bill Nye

Bill Nye on reactions from fans

00:36

Ed O'Neill

Ed O'Neill on getting recognized by fans

00:56

Fess Parker

Fess Parker on being recognized from Davy Crockett

06:06

Suzanne Pleshette

Suzanne Pleshette on being a "movie star" who appeared on television

01:10

Martha Quinn

Martha Quinn on how she dealt with sudden fame and celebrity, and on leaving MTV

04:12

Martha Quinn on what people who remember her as an MTV VJ say to her on the street, and on being a 1980s spokesperson

02:27

Della Reese

Della Reese on continuing to work as she got older, and on using her celebrity for various causes

01:58

Del Reisman

Del Reisman on Rod Serling's celebrity

00:58

Maria Riva

Maria Riva on the difference to the public between a movie star and a television actor as she noted when approached by a fan while accompanying her mother Marlene Dietrich in the 1950s

01:33

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers on her celebrity and how she'd like to be remembered

00:54

Paul Rodriguez with Emerson College

Paul Rodriguez on the drug scene in stand-up comedy in the 1980s, and on dealing with celebrity

05:22

Paul Rodriguez on how he defines success, and on various then-recent celebrity scandals

15:01

Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney on dealing with the fame that resulted from his appearing on-camera

03:24

Barney Rosenzweig

Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on getting recognized by and interacting with fans

04:14

Sharon Gless on being hugged by fans, and the impact of Queer as Folk

01:41

Marion Ross

Marion Ross on her fame once she was cast on Happy Days

01:11

Marion Ross on how the young cast of Happy Days dealt with fame

02:26

Marion Ross on the Happy Days fan mail

01:33

Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak on worrying about the "celebrity" part of the business

03:45

Isabel Sanford

Isabel Sanford on dealing with fame and celebrity

02:34

Lloyd J. Schwartz

Lloyd J. Schwartz on how the kids on The Brady Bunch dealt with fame

02:40

Paul Shaffer

Paul Shaffer on dealing with celebrity

01:06

Judith Sheindlin

Judith Sheindlin on dealing with the fame that resulted from Judge Judy

02:13

Doris Singleton

Doris Singleton on the popularity of I Love Lucy and Lucille Ball

05:43

Doris Singleton on still being recognized as "Carolyn Appleby" from I Love Lucy

01:47

John Singleton

John Singleton on being nominated for Academy Awards for "Boyz N the Hood"

01:59

Yeardley Smith

Yeardley Smith on remaining fairly anonymous when The Simpsons first aired because the producers didn't want the actors out there (partially because they didn't want people to know that "Bart" was voiced by a woman)

01:12

Yeardley Smith on her relationship to fame and celebrity

05:23

Mark Snow

Mark Snow on dealing with fame and success, especially as he experienced it during the height of The X-Files

03:20

Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers on dealing with fame and celebrity, and on her writing

03:33

Jean Stapleton

Jean Stapleton on the professional reasons for not giving her age

00:44

Jean Stapleton on her marriage to producer/director William Putch and maintaining her career

01:30

Jean Stapleton on refusing to reprise "Edith Bunker" or a likeness of her in television commercials

00:37

Jean Stapleton on dealing with fame

01:22

Jean Stapleton on Bette Davis (who she was with when "Archie" and "Edith's" chairs were being donated from the set of All in the Family to the Smithsonian Institution)

03:00

Johnny Stearns

Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on getting recognized from Mary Kay and Johnny

01:10

Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on using their real identities on Mary Kay and Johnny; on not wanting celebrity

02:22

Mary Kay Stearns

Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on getting recognized from Mary Kay and Johnny

01:10

Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on using their real identities on Mary Kay and Johnny; on not wanting celebrity

02:22

Bill Tush

Bill Tush on interviewing celebrities for CNN's Showbiz Today

06:23

Bill Tush on the culture of celebrity

07:12

Leslie Uggams

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

01:01

Tracey Ullman

Tracey Ullman on being recognized (or not) on the street, and on the characters that fans come up to her to talk to her about

01:53

Tracey Ullman on the dangers of fame

01:47

Timothy Van Patten

Timothy Van Patten on his fame after The White Shadow

01:34

Robert Vaughn

Robert Vaughn on the fame he and David McCallum experienced

03:39

Bob Vila

Bob Vila on losing his anonymity

01:37

Bob Vila on his fan mail

01:40

Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch on the fan mail he gets

02:19

Clint Walker

Clint Walker on fame

01:02

Joseph A. Wapner

Joseph Wapner on becoming famous from being on The People's Court

01:22

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner on meeting his fans and the pitfalls of fame

09:16

Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells on her fan mail from Gilligan's Island fame

00:43

Tom Werner

Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner on problems with Roseanne on the set of Roseanne and how fame changed her

02:52

Adam West

Adam West on his growing fame and popularity from appearing on Warner Bros westerns

01:07

Vanna White

Vanna White on response from fans

00:28

Vanna White on knowing she had made it and handling celebrity

01:48

Vanna White on "Vannamania" and her fan club

02:42

Andy Williams

Andy Williams on fan mail that he receives and how people interact with him on the street

02:27

Cindy Williams

Cindy Williams on fan reaction to Laverne & Shirley and the fame that resulted from being on the show

08:02

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler on fame and celebrity

01:22

Henry Winkler on handling fame

04:17

Henry Winkler on the popularity of his character on Happy Days

00:50

Henry Winkler on enjoying the perks of fame, going to the White House

02:18

Henry Winkler on respect and camraderie in the acting business

02:02

Terence Winter

Terence Winter on the buzz surrounding The Sopranos

02:03

"Weird Al" Yankovic with Emerson College

"Weird Al" Yankovic on dealing with fame and celebrity

02:08

"Weird Al" Yankovic on his fanbase and what they expect of him

02:04

Kim Zimmer

Kim Zimmer on her first TV role on One Life to Live, where she played a character based on Patty Hearst (who was in the news at that time)

04:49

Alan Zweibel

Alan Zweibel on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live

01:39

All Topics