Performers


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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Highlights
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
02:18
Sharon Gless on what caused her to lose her fear of pursuing acting
00:42
Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
04:28
Mitzi Gaynor on advice to aspiring television performers
00:37
Eartha Kitt on performing on live television
06:46
Who talked about this profession

Edie Adams

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Edie Adams on advice to aspiring performers
01:46

Alan Alda

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Alan Alda on his methodology for memorizing lines
03:55
Alan Alda on the importance of the relationship between the writers and the actors on M*A*S*H, as facilitated by director Gene Reynolds
03:45
Alan Alda on the role of improvisational training in his acting work, specifically work done at Second City
02:06
Alan Alda on the uncomfortable things actors must do to accommodate the camera
03:02
Alan Alda on working out a scene with Wayne Rogers on M*A*S*H, after shooting for the satisfaction of getting it right
01:43
Alan Alda on winning an Emmy, and how some of your best writing work can come as a surprise
01:36

Jason Alexander

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Jason Alexander on advice to aspiring actors
04:34

Debbie Allen

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Debbie Allen on advice she would give to someone aspiring to be a director or choreographer
01:32

John Amos

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John Amos on his favorite thing about acting
02:50
John Amos on advice to an aspiring actor
01:42

John Aniston

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John Aniston on performing on stage versus performing on television
07:42
John Aniston on how he found acting roles in his early years, and on the play "Little Mary Sunshine"
05:42
John Aniston on the craft of acting
04:08
John Aniston on advice to aspiring actors
00:34

Lucie Arnaz

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Lucie Arnaz on the craft of acting in different media and advice to aspiring actors
05:52

James Arness

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James Arness on advice to an aspiring actor
00:49

Beatrice Arthur with Emerson College

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Beatrice Arthur on finding her comedic voice
03:09
Beatrice Arthur on acting in a sitcom
01:31
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
03:37
Beatrice Arthur on comedy devices and originality in comedy
00:57
Beatrice Arthur on the craft of performance
02:09
Beatrice Arthur on her time at the Actors Studio and lessons she learned there
02:32
Beatrice Arthur on advice to an aspiring performer
00:33

Edward Asner

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Ed Asner on his advice to aspiring actors
01:15
Ed Asner on actors as citizens
04:34
Ed Asner on advice to aspiring actors
02:25

John Astin

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John Astin on his method of acting
09:14
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
03:58
John Astin on his longevity in the industry
02:04

Hank Azaria

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Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
02:11

Bonnie Bartlett

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Bonnie Bartlett on what she likes about acting, and on doing comedy
02:01
Bonnie Bartlett on her process of acting once she gets a script, and on acting in different media
01:37
Bonnie Bartlett and Williams Daniels on acting together, and on their life together
08:28
Bonnie Bartlett and Williams Daniels on acting together, and on their life together
08:28

Ed Begley, Jr. with Emerson College

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Ed Begley, Jr. on the "rules" of comedy, and on then-favorite comedians, and managers of comedians
07:06
Ed Begley, Jr. on a performer or actor controlling his image or how he's seen by the public, and on improving as an actor or comedian
04:35
Ed Begley, Jr. on advice for aspiring performers
05:05

Milton Berle

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Milton Berle on his reputation as a perfectionist
01:29

Shelley Berman with Emerson College

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Shelley Berman on his advice to an aspiring performer
00:47
Shelley Berman on the type of performer he is, and on developing his early nightclub act
07:40
Shelley Berman on stand-up comedians using a stool, and various other props of the trade, and on the challenges faced by a stand-up comedian
08:00
Shelley Berman on the comedian Jim MacGeorge, and on his own poetry
04:33
Shelley Berman on the source of comedy in a script or situation, and on "teaching" comedy
04:16
Shelley Berman on the construct of comedy, and the difficulty in pinpointing what is funny or why people laugh
03:03
Shelley Berman on the importance in comedy of the audience relating to the comedian, and on the evolution of comedy in terms of explicit language
07:07
Shelley Berman on the importance of comedy in his life, and American life in general
05:07
Shelley Berman on his reputation for being difficult, and on the ups and downs of his life and career, including the loss of his son
23:16

Ken Berry

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Ken Berry on advice to aspiring actors
02:39

Sharon Bialy

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Sharon Bialy on advice to an aspiring actor
01:46

Barbara Billingsley

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Barbara Billingsley on her advice to aspiring performers
02:37

Lewis Black with Emerson College

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Lewis Black on his early interest in drama, and on becoming a comedian
05:45
Lewis Black on doing open mic nights at Catch a Rising Star in New York City
03:11
Lewis Black on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences
03:47
Lewis Black on developing his comic persona
05:41
Lewis Black on the source of the anger in his comedy, and learning how to use the anger
07:53
Lewis Black on audience reaction to the evolution of his angry character
01:52
Lewis Black on doing political humor
06:26
Lewis Black on judging how far he can go with audiences
04:03
Lewis Black on whether comedy can be taught
05:54
Lewis Black on dealing with the business end of show business as a comedian
07:21
Lewis Black on longevity in a comedian's career
02:59

Tom Bosley

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Tom Bosley on his acting process and how he approaches a role
03:02
Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors
01:32

Peter Boyle

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Peter Boyle on advice for aspiring actors
00:10

Eric Braeden

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Eric Braeden on how fear can help you as an actor
00:54
Eric Braeden on making fantastical characters and storylines seem real on The Young and the Restless; on memorizing lines
04:42
Eric Braeden on not feeling satisfied by his work as an actor
01:54
Eric Braeden on advice to aspiring actors
01:38

Eddie Brill with Emerson College

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Eddie Brill on teaching and learning comedy
03:34
Eddie Brill on developing a comedic voice
02:20
Eddie Brill on comedians using blue material
02:34
Eddie Brill on learning from older comedians
01:40
Eddie Brill on comedians being born or made
01:16
Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business
01:57
Eddie Brill on the comedian's relationship to their audience
04:37
Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin
09:13
Eddie Brill on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter
03:12
Eddie Brill on what he gets out of being a comedian
01:37

Connie Britton

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Connie Britton on studying acting with Sanford Meisner 
02:37
Connie Britton on learning television comedy for Spin City
02:41
Connie Britton on the process of shooting and acting on Friday Night Lights
04:45

Sid Caesar

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Sid Caesar on advice he has for aspiring performers
00:34

David Canary

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David Canary on acting in Western roles
02:24

George Carlin

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George Carlin on the origin of his famous routine "Seven Dirty Words"
04:09
George Carlin on getting fired from the Copacabana and being relieved to finally leave mainstream comedy
06:31
George Carlin on getting to write about the "freak show"
02:08
George Carlin on the evolution of his comedy
05:27
George Carlin on why he never gets tired of performing his routines
03:03
George Carlin on why he never gets tired of performing his routines
03:03
George Carlin on defining himself and his role as an entertainer and a comedian
02:59
George Carlin on advice he gives young comedians: write it down and classify everything
01:28

Kevin Carlisle

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Kevin Carlisle on his process of choreographing dances for television
03:19
Kevin Carlisle on what he liked about choreographing variety specials
00:39
Kevin Carlisle on traveling internationally for work
02:06
Kevin Carlisle on what he enjoys about choreography, and on what audiences like about dancing on television
02:10
Kevin Carlisle on dancers' footwear
01:55
Kevin Carlisle on advice to an aspiring choreographer
00:59

Dan Castellaneta

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Dan Castellaneta on joining Second City, and what he learned as an actor there
04:59
Dan Castellaneta on working with the ensemble of The Tracey Ullman Show, including Ullman, Julie Kavner, and Sam McMurray
04:45
Dan Castellaneta on advice to an aspiring actor
03:03
Dan Castellaneta on what makes a good voiceover actor
01:15

Dick Cavett with Emerson College

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Dick Cavett on getting the first acting job he ever tried out for
01:09
Dick Cavett on the likeability of comics and the possibility of laughing at comics you don't like
04:50
Dick Cavett on his comedy style and the difficulty of writing material for yourself
08:26

Marge Champion

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Marge Champion on her chemistry with Gower Champion and her rehearsal process 
04:15
Marge Champion on the process of creating a dance number
03:21
Marge Champion on developing her act with Gower Champion and their first time on television 
08:50
Marge Champion on the logistics of shooting her and Gower Champion dancing for television
04:12
Marge Champion on advice to aspiring dancers
02:00

Cyd Charisse

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Cyd Charisse on the craft of dancing on television
07:44

RuPaul Charles

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RuPaul Charles on his message as a performer
04:13

Michael Chiklis

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Michael Chiklis on different schools of acting that he studied
01:12
Michael Chiklis on advice to aspiring actors
00:51

Margaret Cho

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Margaret Cho on what she enjoys about comedy and why performing in front of an audience feels safe
01:12
Margaret Cho on what she learns from bombing on stage
00:57
Margaret Cho on how her act developed
01:19
Margaret Cho on always wanting to be an actress and on how she got roles when there were no parts for Asian Americans
02:06
Margaret Cho on her first comedy show/special after All-American Girl, I'm The One That I Want, and how comedy helped her at that time
02:24
Margaret Cho on the craft of comedy and her writing process
01:57
Margaret Cho on getting to work with her mentors
01:01
Margaret Cho on advice from other comedians that she's taken to heart
01:13
Margaret Cho on balancing serious topics and humor in her comedy; on cancel culture and on whether she's ever felt restricted in her comedy
05:43
Margaret Cho on the role of comedy in today's political climate
02:08
Margaret Cho on being a role model for Asian American female comedians
00:41
Margaret Cho on advice to an aspiring comedian
00:30
Margaret Cho on what she wishes she had known when she first started her career
00:18
Margaret Cho on advice for young women entering the industry
00:31

Robert Clary

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Robert Clary on what he likes about acting, and on his process for acting
01:49
Robert Clary on advice to an aspiring actor
01:09

Robert Conrad

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Robert Conrad on his approach to acting and early influences
01:10
Robert Conrad on learning to do his own stunts
02:49
Robert Conrad on advice to aspiring actors
01:38

John Conte

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John Conte on acting on television as opposed to acting on stage
00:42
John Conte on advice to aspiring performers
01:39

Richard Coogan

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Richard Coogan on what he learned about acting at The Actors Studio
03:17
Richard Coogan on the business of acting
01:43
Richard Coogan on the process of acting
06:25

Richard Crenna

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Richard Crenna on his philosophy of acting
02:25
Richard Crenna on advice to aspiring actors
03:14

Hume Cronyn

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Hume Cronyn on the craft of acting
02:41
Hume Cronyn on preparing to act on live television 
02:54
Hume Cronyn on what attracts him to a script
02:34

Billy Crystal

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Billy Crystal on advice to an aspiring comedian
00:42

Robert Culp

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Robert Culp on modifying his acting when going from stage to television
05:15
Robert Culp on making a living as an actor
03:15
Robert Culp on making money as an actor, and on getting work on the stage
06:48
Robert Culp on writing a play, and on learning how to prepare material to perform
05:25
Robert Culp on his chemistry with Bill Cosby on I Spy, and on acting advice he gave him
08:02
Robert Culp on advice to an aspiring actor
00:41

Jane Curtin

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Jane Curtin on what she enjoys about acting 
01:18
Jane Curtin on advice to aspiring actors
01:30

Bill Daily

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Bill Daily on advice to an aspiring actor
04:23

Bill Dana with Emerson College

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Bill Dana on advice to aspiring writers and comedians
01:14
Bill Dana on founding the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College and on the challenges of being a comedian
03:06
Bill Dana on the importance of having a good agent
02:38
Bill Dana on the difficulties comedians face
02:39
Bill Dana on comedy being a difficult job, and on the most important quality of a comic
02:27
Bill Dana on comedians using situations and constraints to their advantage, and on the impatience of audiences
04:39
Bill Dana on learning to use humor as a weapon to disarm
01:33
Bill Dana on when he first learned he could make people laugh, and on attending Emerson College
03:31
Bill Dana on his early comedic influences
05:24
Bill Dana on what he's learned about the business side of the entertainment/comedy industry
03:13
Bill Dana on comedians stealing each other's material
02:22
Bill Dana on the source of his comedy, and his characters, and on Jonathan Harris as "Mr. Phillips" on The Bill Dana Show
02:26
Bill Dana on his answer to the question "What is funny?"
01:40
Bill Dana on the need for a performer to pay their dues
01:42
Bill Dana on his answer to the question "Was it worth it?"
01:28
Bill Dana on ethnic humor, and on the importance of good representation
04:22

William Daniels

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William Daniels on what he likes about acting, and on his mentor Howard Lindsay
03:24
William Daniels on his distinctive voice
01:13
William Daniels on how he approaches a script, and on being president of the Screen Actors Guild
05:47
William Daniels on advice to an aspiring actor
01:14

Tony Danza

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Tony Danza on advice to an aspiring actor
01:03

Ann B. Davis

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers
01:56

Ossie Davis

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Ossie Davis on his advice to aspiring writers and actors
01:43

Richard Dawson

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Richard Dawson on crafting his first act as a comedian and getting into acting
13:27

Danny DeVito

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Danny DeVito on advice to actors - "don't be nervous just go in there and knock their socks off"
00:12
Danny DeVito on his advice to actors
01:26

Elinor Donahue

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Elinor Donahue on her very early start in show business
02:40

Patty Duke

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Patty Duke on how her acting process has evolved over the years
00:58
Patty Duke on advice to an aspiring actor
01:37

Barbara Eden

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Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
04:25

Stephanie Edwards

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Stephanie Edwards on wanting to be an actress, but having trouble with competition
00:35

Hector Elizondo

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Hector Elizondo on avoiding being typecast 
02:35
Hector Elizondo on what he likes about acting
03:31
Hector Elizondo on advice to an aspiring actor
01:45

Jeannie Epper

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Jeannie Epper on being one of the founding members of the Stuntwoman's Association of Motion Pictures
03:36
Jeannie Epper on dealing with the risks and fears that come with being a stuntwoman; on being part of a stunt family
03:56
Jeannie Epper on how safety regulations have changed for stunt people over the years
05:55
Jeannie Epper on her style as a stuntwoman, and insurance coverage for her profession
00:44
Jeannie Epper on how CGI has affected stunt work
03:03
Jeannie Epper on advice to an aspiring stunt person
01:26

Nanette Fabray

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Nanette Fabray on her acting style
02:30
Nanette Fabray on good advice she's gotten regarding her acting in her career
01:53
Nanette Fabray on working with a difficult director
02:29
Nanette Fabray on advice to aspiring actors
02:30

Edie Falco

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Edie Falco on not consciously doing research for roles
00:57
Edie Falco on why she prefers shooting single-camera television shows without an audience
00:57
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
01:55
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46

Barbara Feldon with Emerson College

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Barbara Feldon on what got her interested in performing and the thrill of performing when she was young
02:09
Barbara Feldon on not believing she's a comedienne
00:48
Barbara Feldon on being an actor performing comedy v. being a comedienne
01:24
Barbara Feldon on doing comedy v. drama and acting in the film Smile
04:08

Sally Field

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Sally Field on film acting versus television acting
04:20
Sally Field on becoming a mother, and on studying under Lee Strasberg
02:17
Sally Field on studying under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio
02:55
Sally Field on advice to an aspiring actress
00:55

June Foray

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June Foray on coming up with voices for her early radio performances
01:31
June Foray on her advice to aspiring voice actors
01:24

John Forsythe

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John Forsythe on studying at the Actors Studio
03:39
John Forsythe on the difference between acting on filmed or taped television and live television
02:35
John Forsythe on advice to aspiring actors
00:25
John Forsythe on researching his acting roles and playing in front of a live audience 
02:25

Jonathan Frid

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Jonathan Frid on advice to an aspiring actor
00:33

Eileen Fulton

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Eileen Fulton on her acting style, and on advice to aspiring actors
02:21

James Garner

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James Garner on becoming an actor
03:35
James Garner on stage acting verses television acting
01:21

Betty Garrett

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Betty Garrett on advice to aspiring performers
01:21

Mitzi Gaynor

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Mitzi Gaynor on joining the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Company and her first show
00:33
Mitzi Gaynor on advice to aspiring television performers
00:37

Larry Gelbart

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Larry Gelbart on the acting skills of Gary Burghoff during the taping of the M*A*S*H episode "Abyssinia, Henry" in which the character "Henry Blake" is killed
02:33

Marla Gibbs

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Marla Gibbs on taking acting classes when she first got to Los Angeles
01:34
Marla Gibbs on advice to an aspiring actor
04:15

Sandra Gimpel

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Sandra Gimpel on how she learned to do stunts on Lost in Space, on which she was Bill Mumy's stunt double and stand-in
02:19
Sandra Gimpel on the community of stunt performers when she started out in the business, and on the most importance advice she got from early mentors
01:46
Sandra Gimpel on the fact that most stunt performers were men when she started out in the business
02:20
Sandra Gimpel on how her background as a dancer helped her when she became a stunt performer
01:10
Sandra Gimpel on the importance of emulating actors' movements and walk when doubling for them
01:10
Sandra Gimpel on why her small stature was advantageous when she became a stunt performer
01:48
Sandra Gimpel on "sugar glass", which is made of resin and used for stunt performers to be able go break through glass windows, and other forms of breakable glass used for stunt performers
02:51
Sandra Gimpel on the idea of actors "doing their own stunts": "99% of the actors have a stunt double...it's not that the actor can't do the stunt, it's not smart to let them do the stunt"
02:36
Sandra Gimpel on how she handled an actor wanting to their own stunts when she was the stunt coordinator on set
02:02
Sandra Gimpel on working with directors as a stunt coordinator, and on working with Jim Carrey on a stunt he wanted to perform in "The Truman Show" (where she was a stunt performer, not the coordinator on set)
04:17
Sandra Gimpel on a near fatal accident during a stunt she performed on the show Bring 'Em Back Alive, and on the importance of safety on set and double checking the set up before performing stunts
05:22
Sandra Gimpel on an accident when she was performing a stunt where she had to jump off a building, and on how she tries to ensure safety on sets
05:44
Sandra Gimpel on how much she rehearses a stunt before performing it on film, and on an accident that happened while she was performing a stunt in a Kellogg's cereal commercial
07:23
Sandra Gimpel on what a stunt coordinator does and what a second unit director does, and how it worked when she was acting as both on set
05:57
Sandra Gimpel on how the sunt coordinator works with the second unit director on set
02:07
Sandra Gimpel on her thoughts on the fatal accident that happened during the filming of a stunt on the 1983 "The Twilight Zone" movie (she did not work on that project), and on an incident when she insisted a director not shoot a stunt due to dangerous circumstances
05:56
Sandra Gimpel on whether accidents like the one on the set of "The Twilight Zone" movie have led to changes in safety standards in the industry
02:30
Sandra Gimpel on speaking out about the safety of a stunt, even at the risk of losing a job, but the fact that not everyone can or will speak up for fear of losing a gig, and on an accident on the set of Other World where she was acting as stunt coordinator
03:00
Sandra Gimpel on stunts she won't perform, including her dislike of motorcycles, and on how she handles it when the on-set set ups don't meet her expectations
02:45
Sandra Gimpel on the most dangerous stunt she's performed, and on the closest calls in her career
02:47
Sandra Gimpel on injuries she's sustained while performing stunts
01:20
Sandra Gimpel on insurance coverage for stunt performers
02:13
Sandra Gimpel on not having a speciality as a stunt performer, but being able to perform many different kinds of stunts, and on how the equipment stunt performers use has changed over time especially for women
04:16
Sandra Gimpel on redoing stunts when she is acting as second unit director
02:00
Sandra Gimpel on what makes a good stunt performer
01:09
Sandra Gimpel on each stunt person having an indvidual style, and on why Taekwondo is a good style for fighting on-camera
02:59
Sandra Gimpel on being the stunt coordinator and second unit director on Harts of the West with Beau Bridges, and on her feelings about Westerns
04:12
Sandra Gimpel on performing stunts for television versus film: "television's much faster... features, they take their time"
03:11
Sandra Gimpel on what she likes about doing stunts, and on not know she would end up as a stunt performer when she was starting out
02:15
Sandra Gimpel on how stunt work has changed since she started in the industry
01:39
Sandra Gimpel on advice for aspiring stunt performers
03:36

Paul Michael Glaser

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Paul Michael Glaser on advice to aspiring actors
00:22

Sharon Gless

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Sharon Gless on what caused her to lose her fear of pursuing acting
00:42
Sharon Gless on why being on a hit TV show is her favorite acting experience
00:36
Sharon Gless on the chemistry between her and Tyne Daly: it's either there or it isn't, and it was there on Cagney & Lacey
01:12
Sharon Gless on being accepted by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman for the part of "Debbie" on Queer as Folk
02:08

Whoopi Goldberg

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Whoopi Goldberg on starting to gain traction as a performer in San Diego and starting to do improv
04:24
Whoopi Goldberg on Jumpin' Jack Flash and playing roles that were originally intended for people of other races and genders
01:00
Whoopi Goldberg on hosting Comic Relief as another character, "Whoopi"
00:28
Whoopi Goldberg on starting to gain traction as a performer in San Diego and starting to do improv
04:24

Louis Gossett, Jr.

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Louis Gossett, Jr. on making the transition from stage to television and features
00:45
Louis Gossett, Jr. on doing research to play "Fiddler" in Roots, and why the character was a breakthrough for him in terms of his acting process
04:06
Louis Gossett, Jr. on overcoming creative differences with other actors and on the importance of doing research on characters
04:03
Louis Gossett, Jr. on what he loves about acting
02:57

Lee Grant

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Lee Grant on advice to aspiring actors
01:06
Lee Grant on working with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse
06:10

Shecky Greene with Emerson College

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Shecky Greene on why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs
05:36
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
03:26
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
04:36
Shecky Greene on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
02:03
Shecky Greene on what he has gotten out of his comedy career
02:23
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46
Shecky Greene on surviving in comedy
02:34
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
04:29
Shecky Greene on summing up his career
03:08

Dick Gregory with Emerson College

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Dick Gregory on what comedy can do and cannot do for society
03:52
Dick Gregory on what he wanted to accomplish with this stand-up comedy, and on his early experiences with nightclubs
04:47
Dick Gregory on coming up with material for his act
07:12
Dick Gregory on defining what a comedian is
01:47
Dick Gregory on using his life experiences as fodder for his act
09:45
Dick Gregory on advice to aspiring comedians, and on profanity in comedy
05:23
Dick Gregory on comedians developing a technique
08:29
Dick Gregory on the role of the comic in society
07:31

Andy Griffith

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Andy Griffith on getting into performing
06:42

Charles Grodin with Emerson College

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Charles Grodin on labeling himself according to his talents
03:19
Charles Grodin on an important lesson Uta Hagen taught him in acting
04:04
Charles Grodin on his philosophy of acting
04:09
Charles Grodin on important skills and tools for the actor
04:31
Charles Grodin on his brand of comedy, and on figuring out he was funny
04:58
Charles Grodin on his base of support when he decided to become an actor
03:52

Jon Hamm

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Jon Hamm on what he likes about acting - "you get paid to play"
01:29
Jon Hamm on his early days trying to make it as an actor in Los Angeles
02:39
Jon Hamm on what he would want to tell his younger self when starting out in the business
01:50

Jonathan Harris

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Jonathan Harris on being typecast as eccentrics and villains, and on being a character actor
02:03
Jonathan Harris on advice to aspiring actors
00:43

Don Hastings

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Don Hastings on what it was like to act on live television in the '50s
02:29
Don Hastings on the process of getting his script and memorizing lines for As the World Turns
03:08
Don Hastings on advice to an aspiring actor
02:19

Florence Henderson

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Florence Henderson on deciding to become an actress
01:21
Florence Henderson on advice to young actors
01:02
Florence Henderson on making scenes believable
02:32

Marilu Henner

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Marilu Henner on advice to an aspiring actor
02:53

Leslie Hoffman

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Leslie Hoffman on the risks of a high jump stunt and precautions she takes
02:49
Leslie Hoffman on training to be a stuntwoman
04:29
Leslie Hoffman on rehearsing stunts
02:01
Leslie Hoffman on dealing with life or death situations as a stunt person
03:18
Leslie Hoffman on doing pratfalls
03:38
Leslie Hoffman on doing staircase falls
02:38
Leslie Hoffman on performing fire stunts
06:20
Leslie Hoffman on advice to aspiring stunt people
01:44

Hal Holbrook

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Hal Holbrook on what he likes about acting
02:38
Hal Holbrook on rehearsing
03:13
Hal Holbrook on fame and celebrity, and on being part of an acting company
02:33
Hal Holbrook on being known as a character actor
03:13
Hal Holbrook on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23

Ellen Holly

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Ellen Holly on appearing as "Stephanie" in the Broadway production of Too Late the Phalarope, and on how she played the role
08:53
Ellen Holly on being invited to join the Actors Studio by Lee Strasberg
03:17
Ellen Holly on what she learned at the Actors Studio, and why she didn't like Lee Strasberg as a teacher
04:46
Ellen Holly on what she learned from her time on One Life to Live, including advice she would give to young actors about the business-end of television
06:00

Felicity Huffman

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Felicity Huffman on what she likes about acting and the importance of storytelling
01:27
Felicity Huffman on advice for aspiring actors
00:55
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on Macy studying acting with David Mamet at Goddard College and how that led to Macy teaching acting in New York, where Huffman studied with him
03:40
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on how they help each other prepare for roles and the challenges of preparation as an actor
06:18
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on watching each other's work and their own, and how much they prepare for roles
02:33
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on Macy studying acting with David Mamet at Goddard College and how that led to Macy teaching acting in New York, where Huffman studied with him
03:40
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on how they help each other prepare for roles and the challenges of preparation as an actor
06:18
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on watching each other's work and their own, and how much they prepare for roles
02:33

Kim Hunter

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Kim Hunter on advice to aspiring actors
02:31

Allison Janney

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Allison Janney on becoming interested in acting and doing a play directed by Paul Newman
05:32
Allison Janney on memorization's place in acting
00:49
Allison Janney on worries about being typecast
01:03
Allison Janney on her acting style
01:49
Allison Janney on the most important advice she ever received about acting
00:38
Allison Janney on advice to aspiring actors
00:44

Geri Jewell

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Geri Jewell on the first time she did stand-up comedy, and how she talked about cerebral palsy in her routine
05:57
Geri Jewell on filming the Deadwood episode "Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking" and how show creator/director David Milch coaxed a reaction from her
03:55
Geri Jewell on what she loves about performing and her hopes for her career as she ages
03:12
Geri Jewell on advice for aspiring actors
02:45

Julie Ann Johnson

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Julie Ann Johnson on the training and physical requirements to be a stunt performer
01:14
Julie Ann Johnson on the role of a stunt person
00:41
Julie Ann Johnson on the wardrobe she wore as a stunt person
01:36
Julie Ann Johnson on the logistics of being a stunt person in terms of getting work
00:59
Julie Ann Johnson on the different types of stunt work she did
01:54
Julie Ann Johnson on the people on the set she works with most closely
03:28
Julie Ann Johnson on her reputation as a stunt person and what she was known to be able to do well
01:05
Julie Ann Johnson on how stunt performers pay scales are determined, and on working for Hal Needham
08:07
Julie Ann Johnson on changes that have taken place in the stunt performing industry
01:19
Julie Ann Johnson on forming the Society of Professional Stuntwomen in 1975
00:55
Julie Ann Johnson on her style as a stunt performer and her favorite kinds of stunts
03:06
Julie Ann Johnson on the importance of a stunt person staying in good shape, and on the substance abuse problems in the industry
01:11
Julie Ann Johnson on comparing how stunt women are treated in features and in television
00:42
Julie Ann Johnson on how budgets impact what a stunt person is able to do
02:19
Julie Ann Johnson on advice to an aspiring stunt woman
02:18

Lamont Johnson

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Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring actor
00:57

Russell Johnson

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Russell Johnson on studying at the Actors Lab
04:27
Russell Johnson on the challenges of working in live television
00:10
Russell Johnson on advice to aspiring actors
02:41
Russell Johnson on his acting style and how he prepares for roles
02:10

Shirley Jones

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Shirley Jones on advice to an aspiring actress, and on how she'd like to be remembered
01:29

Eartha Kitt

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Eartha Kitt on performing on live television
06:46

Jack Klugman

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Jack Klugman on his desire to go to drama school in Pittsburgh and his first acting experiences
02:54
Jack Klugman on being scared in front of the camera
01:01
Jack Klugman on the craft of acting and on the differences between performing on stage and in front of a camera
04:01

Walter Koenig

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Walter Koenig on his advice to a young actor
04:31

Bernie Kopell

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Bernie Kopell on doing accents, and on using them on My Favorite Martian, The Flying Nun, and The Doris Day Show
08:08
Bernie Kopell on his acting process, his preparation for a given role, and on working with Neil Simon
07:18

Marty Krofft

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Sid and Marty Krofft on advice to aspiring puppeteers
00:49

Sid Krofft

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Sid and Marty Krofft on advice to aspiring puppeteers
00:49

Lisa Kudrow

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Lisa Kudrow on realizing there was no "mystical truth" to becoming a working actor after seeing her brother's friend, Jon Lovitz, land a gig on Saturday Night Live
01:39
Lisa Kudrow on what she learned about acting from her work at The Groundlings Improv group and how invaluable the character monologues were
Lisa Kudrow on her first-ever performance in front of an audience
03:21
Lisa Kudrow on some realities of working in television and the expectations and challenges of coming in as guest-star on a long-running sitcom
04:18
Lisa Kudrow on the challenges of performing the same character for so many years, as on Friends with "Phoebe"
02:08
Lisa Kudrow on advice to aspiring actors "as long as it's not porn, do it"
01:09

Sheila Kuehl

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Sheila Kuehl on advice to aspiring actors and politicians
01:21

Angela Lansbury

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Angela Lansbury on wanting to be an actress
01:01

Jack Larson

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Jack Larson on the instant popularity of "Jimmy Olsen" on Adventures of Superman and being typecast as an actor
02:34

Louise Lasser

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Louise Lasser on being typecast (or not) after Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and on her relationship with the character
03:07
Louise Lasser on advice to an aspiring actor
01:57

Piper Laurie

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Piper Laurie on the craft of acting for television
03:55
Piper Laurie on advice about the craft of acting
01:51

Lucy Lawless

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Lucy Lawless on what she likes about acting and her approach to acting
02:23
Lucy Lawless on her advice to an aspiring actor
00:58

Vicki Lawrence

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Vicki Lawrence on the importance of listening when performing, especially with live television

Gene LeBell

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Gene LeBell on stunts he won't do and stunts he'd like to do
04:29
Gene LeBell on how he got into stunt work
02:06
Gene LeBell on the lack of early safety regulations for stunt people
01:40
Gene LeBell on his specialty in stunts and the background necessary for the profession
01:48
Gene LeBell on early stuntwomen and men doubling for women
03:07
Gene LeBell on coordinating stunts
01:58
Gene LeBell on different types of stunts - high falls, stunt driving, pratfalls, stair falls and fistfights
13:36
Gene LeBell on preparations for stunt fistfights and fire stunts
06:55
Gene LeBell on essential qualities for a stuntperson
01:19
Gene LeBell on how he's credited a stuntperson
04:53

Michael Learned

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Michael Learned on what she likes about acting
01:15
Michael Learned on advice to aspiring actors
01:21

Jack Lemmon

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Jack Lemmon on the challenges of acting on live television 
02:34
Jack Lemmon on acting on live television
02:53
Jack Lemmon on taking acting lessons 
04:38

Al Lewis

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Al Lewis on meeting John Wayne at the Universal commissary and his views on acting careers
09:05
Al Lewis on his acting process and being a professional
04:12
Al Lewis on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23

Jerry Lewis

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Jerry Lewis on his father's influence on his performances
01:35

Judith Light

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Judith Light on figuring out her acting career
06:05
Judith Light on advice to an aspiring actor
08:30
Judith Light on balancing her career as an actress and marriage
06:21
Judith Light on what she loves about acting 
24:25

Hal Linden

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Hal Linden on advice to aspiring actors
02:04

James Lipton

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James Lipton on moving to New York City, and studying acting with Stella Adler at The Actors Studio
04:03

Barry Livingston

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Barry Livingston on learning lines when he was a child
00:37
Barry Livingston on being a guest actor on an established show
02:00
Barry Livingston on advice for aspiring actors
01:43

Loretta Long

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Loretta Long on advice to aspiring actors, and how she'd like to be remembered
01:42

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus on her early interest in acting
02:39
Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the challenge of portraying a version of herself on Curb Your Enthusiasm
01:40
Julia Louis-Dreyfus on one of her favorite improv moments on Veep
04:27
Julia Louis-Dreyfus on advice to aspiring actors
00:35

Susan Lucci

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Susan Lucci on receiving and learning her All My Children  scripts and the rehearsal process
02:26
Susan Lucci on good advice she's received as an actor
01:00
Susan Lucci on her advice to aspiring actors
00:45

Gavin MacLeod

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Gavin MacLeod on his early representation as an actor
03:17
Gavin MacLeod on playing multiple guest-starring roles and the same series, and on how casts regard a guest-star
02:49
Gavin MacLeod on being cast to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and on following his instincts at the audition
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on how he prepared to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on his relationships on the show
04:36
Gavin MacLeod on advice to an aspiring actor
03:35

William H. Macy

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William H. Macy on studying acting with David Mamet at Goddard College
05:45
William H. Macy on the Practical Aesthetics acting technique, which he developed with David Mamet
06:52
William H. Macy on appearing in small roles on TV series early in his career
01:21
William H. Macy on his advice to actors for reading scripts
01:42
William H. Macy on what he likes about acting
05:09
William H. Macy on "being visited by the muse" while performing onstage
01:06
William H. Macy on the best advice he's received, and his advice to actors
02:34
William H. Macy on advice to aspiring actors
03:08

Anita Mann

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Anita Mann on doing choreography for television, and what she learned from working for Lucille Ball
05:36
Anita Mann on her duties as an assistant choreographer
04:45
Anita Mann on her process of choreographing a number for television, and on choreographing the Miss America Pageant for which she won an Emmy
07:52
Anita Mann on how choreography on television has changed since she started
00:59
Anita Mann on what she looked for when she hired dancers on Solid Gold
06:37
Anita Mann on how choreography on television has changed since she first started
02:15
Anita Mann on what she enjoys about choreography
01:57
Anita Mann on advice to an aspiring choreographer
02:39

Randolph Mantooth

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Randolph Mantooth on becoming comfortable in front of the camera
01:52
Randolph Mantooth on his approach to acting
02:54
Randolph Mantooth on advice to aspiring actors
01:56

Sonia Manzano

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Sonia Manzano on being cast on Sesame Street
04:15

Rose Marie with Emerson College

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Rose Marie on whether comedy can be learned
04:15
Rose Marie on dealing with the business part of show business
02:20
Rose Marie on what she learned from the great performers, including Milton Berle and Phil Silvers
03:56
Rose Marie on how she knows what's funny
02:13

E. G. Marshall

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E.G. Marshall on his training as an actor, and on working with The Actors Studio
03:47
E.G. Marshall on his method of acting
03:10

Garry Marshall

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Producer Garry Marshall on his advice to actors
00:53

Penny Marshall

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Penny Marshall on what she liked about acting
02:53
Penny Marshall on her advice to aspiring actors and directors
03:40
Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall on performing the physical comedy of Laverne & Shirley
13:36

Dick Martin

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Dick Martin on his advice to aspiring performers and directors
02:50

Bob May

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Bob May on advice to an aspiring performer
01:02

David McCallum

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David McCallum on his early involvement in the amateur dramatics society and how he got interested in acting
02:18
David McCallum on his philosophy on preparing for a role
01:10
David McCallum on what he likes in a director and what a director adds to a set
02:28
David McCallum on advice to aspiring actors
01:18
David McCallum on how he's dealt with the lack of job security that's part of being an actor
01:36

Chuck McCann with Emerson College

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Chuck McCann on learning comedy
03:42
Chuck McCann on doing voiceover work
02:21
Chuck McCann on his versatile career
03:13
Chuck McCann on his versatile career
03:13
Chuck McCann on his advice to aspiring comedians
01:39

Rue McClanahan

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Rue McClanahan on acting in front of an audience, and on the best advice she ever received about acting
08:41
Rue McClanahan on advice to an aspiring actor
00:58

Bob McGrath

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Bob McGrath on how his character on Sesame Street came to have the name Bob
00:23
Bob McGrath on his association with Mitch Miller and working on the Mitch Miller Show
08:42

Jayne Meadows

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Jayne Meadows on her early stage experience and deciding to become an actress
03:36
Jayne Meadows on playing different historical characters on the series Meeting of Minds
09:07
Jayne Meadows on advice she'd give to aspiring actors
02:17

Anne Meara

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Anne Meara on her path to becoming an actress
01:12
Anne Meara on her acting style
02:22
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on how they became a comedy team
01:23

Carlos Mencia with Emerson College

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Carlos Mencia on making a connection with his audience as a comedian, and the commonalities between people of different backgrounds
04:09
Carlos Mencia on the risks and rewards of doing edgy or racial humor
04:43
Carlos Mencia on aiming to inspire people, as well as make them laugh, though his comedy
03:00
Carlos Mencia on how comedy can heal divides, and solve problems in society
03:45
Carlos Mencia on his reaction to the notion of political correctness in comedy, and in life
10:13
Carlos Mencia on using "blue" material in his act, and how the choice of words can affect comedy
02:01
Carlos Mencia on comedians tailoring their acts to their environments
03:00
Carlos Mencia on being responsible to his community in his comedy
01:45
Carlos Mencia on having been accused of stealing jokes from other comedians
08:03
Carlos Mencia on advice to aspiring comedians
04:08

S. Epatha Merkerson

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S. Epatha Merkerson on advice to an aspiring actor
02:19

Mary Tyler Moore

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Mary Tyler Moore on initially being a "dramatic" actress on a comedy on The Dick Van Dyke Show
01:21

Rita Moreno

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Rita Moreno on how acting for television is different than acting for films, and appearing in Oz
05:04
Rita Moreno on having the "EGOT" (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) and on studying acting
01:39
Rita Moreno on what it is like for an actor to guest-star on a show

Pat Morita

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Pat Morita on getting his foot in the door as a comedian, and on knowing Flip Wilson in the early years
02:59
Pat Morita on tailoring his stand up act for television, and on using his Japanese heritage in his act
07:13
Pat Morita on starting to make the transition from comedian to actor
03:23
Pat Morita on he and his representatives realizing he wanted to be an actor, and on what it takes to make it as an actor
02:50
Pat Morita on advice to aspiring actors
01:46

Howard Morris

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Howard Morris on his voiceover work
01:49
Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones
05:01
Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors
00:38

Diana Muldaur

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Diana Muldaur on what it means for an actor to work in a creative environment
02:14
Diana Muldaur on advice to an aspiring actress
00:32

Bill Mumy

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Bill Mumy on the kinds of roles he got as a child actor and his acting style
07:26

Jan Murray with Emerson College

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Jan Murray on comedians from different generations, recognizing the great comedians of each one, and the greatness and faults of comedians from the then-current generation
02:07
Jan Murray on becoming the host of Blind Date and on being the first comedian to host a live game show
04:40
Jan Murray on using isolated stories at the start of his routine to get the audience used to his persona
03:56
Jan Murray on learning to adapt his material to the audience when performing in Israel
03:11
Jan Murray on being a naturally funny kid and getting into comedy as a result
01:32
Jan Murray on entertaining in the Cavaliers Social Club early in his career
02:24
Jan Murray on getting his gig working in the Catskill Mountains
04:07
Jan Murray on getting his gig at the Melbourne Hotel and deciding to pursue show business
02:10
Jan Murray on how entertainers come from all walks of life
00:42
Jan Murray on receiving show business advice from Al Jolson
07:37
Jan Murray on performing for benefits and how it impacts a comedian's business
02:38
Jan Murray on providing feedback to Shelley Winters and adapting a routine they did together
04:24
Jan Murray on performing comedy as medicine
00:19

Hal Needham

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Hal Needham on doing stunts "by the seat of his pants"
02:54
Hal Needham on advice to aspiring stuntmen and directors
12:13
Hal Needham on stunt men staying physically and mentally fit
01:16
Hal Needham on insurance coverage for stunt men
02:31

Bob Newhart

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Bob Newhart on his comedic style and how it has and hasn't work on TV over the years
00:23
Bob Newhart on performing and writing comedy routines
01:23
Bob Newhart on advice to aspiring performers
00:21

Laraine Newman

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Laraine Newman on creating characters for Saturday Night Live
03:16
Laraine Newman on creating characters for animated shows
04:38
Laraine Newman on advice to aspiring actors
01:16

Nichelle Nichols

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Nichelle Nichols on the challenge of moving from acting on stage to acting in features or on television
02:19
Nichelle Nichols on advice to an aspiring actor
01:28

Louis Nye with Emerson College

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Louis Nye on what drew him to comedy
01:22
Louis Nye on the value of humor
01:11
Louis Nye on bringing back Old Vaudeville in his characters
02:59
Louis Nye on his characters potentially being offensive and on working with Jack Benny, Bop Hope, and Jimmy Durante
02:59
Louis Nye on his process for learning dialects
03:28
Louis Nye on tools he learned for getting laughs
01:13
Louis Nye on the business of comedy
02:59
Louis Nye on the Pagliacci syndrome and the prevalence of depression among comedians
01:42
Louis Nye on his work in nightclubs and on Broadway
02:34
Louis Nye on how comedy has changed since he started his career
04:02
Louis Nye on advice to students about a career in comedy and on sacrifices he made to be in the business
05:31
Louis Nye on what drove him to be a comedian and on his career longevity
02:01
Louis Nye on people expecting him to be in character
00:34
Louis Nye on originality in comedy
01:23
Louis Nye on whether it was all worth it
02:17

Carroll O'Connor

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Carroll O'Connor on learning how to play comedy from Micheál MacLiammóir, at the Gate Theatre, which he later used in his characterization of Archie Bunker in All in the Family
02:29

Ed O'Neill

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Ed O'Neill on his audition process
02:55
Ed O'Neill on his style of acting
05:57
Ed O'Neill on his approach to acting
03:43
Ed O'Neill on advice for aspiring actors
00:58

Edward James Olmos

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Edward James Olmos on advice to aspiring actors
01:41

Gary Owens with Emerson College

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Gary Owens on the importance of the straight man in comedy, and on working with Jonathan Winters
03:29
Gary Owens on what drew him to comedy and comedy writing, and on his days of being a disc jockey in Los Angeles
04:42
Gary Owens on his comedic style
05:11

Janis Paige with Emerson College

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Janis Paige on navigating her acting career through the years
03:11

Fess Parker

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Fess Parker on advice to an aspiring actor
03:00

Estelle Parsons

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Estelle Parsons on advice to an aspiring actor
03:05

Suzanne Pleshette

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Suzanne Pleshette on acting on stage versus acting on television
02:54
Suzanne Pleshette on acting in sitcoms
05:08
Suzanne Pleshette on advice to aspiring actors
02:23

Tom Poston

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Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
01:08

Charlotte Rae

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Charlotte Rae on what she likes about acting
01:25
Charlotte Rae on advice to aspiring actors, and how she'd like to be remembered
03:01

Frances Reid

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Frances Reid on her acting style, and her career
01:15
Frances Reid on advice she would give an actor on a soap opera
00:37

Tim Reid

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Tim Reid on meeting and becoming comedy partners with Tom Dreesen
04:09
Tim Reid on developing a stand-up comedy act with Tom Dreesen; on honing their act
02:54
Tim Reid on addressing race head-on in his stand-up comedy act with Tom Dreesen
06:23
Tim Reid on the end of his partnership with Tom Dreesen
01:27
Tim Reid on comedians today that push boundaries and the power of comedy and storytelling
08:20
Tim Reid on William Paley's comments about Frank's Place and how they impacted him as a storyteller
05:19
Tim Reid on teaching his younger castmates valuable lessons about performing on an episode of Sister, Sister (possibly with guest star, Milton Berle)
03:14
Tim Reid on mentoring his younger castmates on Sister, Sister
02:10
Tim Reid on learning a valuable lesson from Jack Benny about performing
03:15

Rob Reiner

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Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring actors
00:47

John Rich

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Director John Rich on the casting process
00:45

Jack Riley with Emerson College

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Jack Riley on dealing with agents and managers as an actor
02:55
Jack Riley on advice to aspiring performers
04:54
Jack Riley on doing voice-overs, and on appearing in various feature films
04:11

Doris Roberts

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Doris Roberts on the difference between acting on stage and acting on television
00:32
Doris Roberts on advice to aspiring actors
03:11

Tony Roberts with Emerson College

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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

Cliff Robertson

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Cliff Robertson on his formal acting training at The Actors Studio
03:36
Cliff Robertson on actors who inspired him
00:48
Cliff Robertson on his acting style
01:22
Cliff Robertson on advice to aspiring actors
01:58

Fatima Robinson

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Fatima Robinson on how she started dancing in music videos
02:08
Fatima Robinson on her dance style: hip-hop
00:52
Fatima Robinson on on some of the first music video sets she was on and on meeting Lionel Martin and Hype Williams
02:24
Fatima Robinson on her process for coming up with choreography
00:24
Fatima Robinson on her timeline and process for creating choreography for the music video for "Remember the Time" and on her process for auditioning actors
02:13
Fatima Robinson on her process for working with an artist for the first time
01:00
Fatima Robinson on what makes for a good relationship between a choreographer and a director
00:52
Fatima Robinson on the process of choreographing for episodic television
00:54
Fatima Robinson on the role of a choreographer and how choreography can impact storytelling
03:30
Fatima Robinson on the importance of footwear, costumes, and rehearsal in choreography
01:14
Fatima Robinson on the space where she feels freest as a creative person -- concerts
02:13
Fatima Robinson on the process for choreographing performances on music competition shows
01:16
Fatima Robinson on how choreographing for television has changed since she first started
00:48
Fatima Robinson on how opportunities have changed since she started working
00:57
Fatima Robinson on advice to an aspiring choreographer
00:55

Paul Rodriguez with Emerson College

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Paul Rodriguez on developing his early stand-up routine, and on being Richard Pryor's runner
05:02
Paul Rodriguez on being inspired by Richard Pryor to use his Mexican heritage and identity in his act, and on the language he uses in his act
05:32
Paul Rodriguez on the importance of comedians taking chances, and on basing his comedy routines around his life
06:57
Paul Rodriguez on dealing with agents and managers in his career, and on longevity in his career
06:04

Mickey Rooney

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Mickey Rooney on how acting for television differs for acting for film or the stage
01:07
Mickey Rooney on his acting style and preferences
01:30

Marion Ross

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Marion Ross on her process for learning her lines
01:32
Marion Ross on acting in front of an audience
00:45
Marion Ross on how she creates her characters
02:12
Marion Ross on important advice she's received as an actress, and on the importance of having an agent
01:31
Marion Ross on advice to an aspiring actor
00:50

Stanley Ralph Ross

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Stanley Ralph Ross on actors making script suggestions
03:46
Stanley Ralph Ross on the process of doing voiceover
03:56

Isabel Sanford

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Isabel Sanford on her process as an actress
03:32

William Schallert

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William Schallert on feeling like he could act, but that he didn't look like an actor
01:01
William Schallert on being a character actor and not feeling typecast
01:29
William Schallert on how he creates different personas
02:47
William Schallert on often playing several roles on one series
01:15
William Schallert on how he gets jobs nowadays (2012)
03:12
William Schallert on his tenure as President of SAG; on chairing a committee to merge SAG and AFTRA
11:15
William Schallert on the mission of SAG
01:09
William Schallert on advice to aspiring actors
00:54

Richard Schiff

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Richard Schiff on his fear of acting
03:23
Richard Schiff on dealing with Aaron Sorkin's habit of turning in scripts late for The West Wing
05:10
Richard Schiff on auditioning
03:11
Richard Schiff on wanting to be an "actor's actor"
02:34

William Shatner

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William Shatner on his famous halting style of delivery, and on appearing on stage in "Deathtrap"
03:39
William Shatner on what he learned performing Shakespeare on stage in Canada for several years
06:14
William Shatner on dealing with the cameras and working with directors in live television
03:18
William Shatner on how he prepared to act on live television, and some of the challenges he faced
02:34

Cybill Shepherd

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Cybill Shepherd on acting advice she received from a fellow actor (Jason Robards)
00:33
Cybill Shepherd on what she likes in a director and getting to know John Ford and how he directed
00:55
Cybill Shepherd on her process for learning the dialogue on Moonlighting
00:35
Cybill Shepherd on what she enjoys about acting
01:00
Cybill Shepherd on what being in front of a live audience adds to a performance
00:25
Cybill Shepherd on acting in different media and what she learned about film by screening movies with Peter Bogdanovich
00:53
Cybill Shepherd on mentors throughout her career: Stella Adler and what she learned from her; on what she learned from performers and directors she worked with
02:45

Hazel Shermet

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Hazel Shermet on the audition process for television commercials
03:12
Hazel Shermet on her experience acting in commercials
02:30

Doris Singleton

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Doris Singleton on honing her acting skills in radio
01:23
Doris Singleton on learning comedic timing from her work in radio
00:17
Doris Singleton on performing in front of an audience on radio shows
00:49
Doris Singleton on how acting for soap operas differed from acting for sitcoms
01:31
Doris Singleton on her acting style
00:39
Doris Singleton on the most important advice anyone ever gave her about acting
01:02
Doris Singleton on advice to actors just starting out
00:39
Doris Singleton on acting for television, stage, radio
01:10

Erika Slezak

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Erika Slezak on wanting to become an actress and her father insisting that she be properly trained in acting
04:26
Erika Slezak on her advice to aspiring daytime drama actors
01:15

Robert Smigel

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Robert Smigel on wanting to be a comedian since he was three years old
01:34
Robert Smigel on the "modern" type of "so bad it's good" comedy he was interested in early in his career; catching the comedy bug after performing and winning a comedy standup contest at NYU; "I was stung, I was infected"; on getting to perform at The Comic Strip in New York city; on his closing bit as Ronald Reagan (foreshadowing a later TV Funhouse sketch "The X Presidents"); on getting more gigs after that; on being a fan of comedy that "tore everything down and made fun of itself"
14:35
Robert Smigel on joining a sketch comedy program (The Players Workshop) at Second City in Chicago; on his love of Chicago and how the experience at Second City helped build his confidence as a comedian; on gravitating towards sketch comedy over improv; learning how to develop writing sketch comedy from the players at Second City like Dan Castellaneta; on his early sketch comedy ideas; on meeting Dan Crowley in Chicago and joining his comedy group (All You Can Eat) as his replacement; on Al Franken and Tom Davis, original writers from Saturday Night Live, coming to Chicago to see a show Smigel had created, "All You Can Eat and the Temple of Doom"
18:58
Robert Smigel on whether there is a disconnect between himself and his character "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" and how his identity merged with "Triumph’s" character; on his feeling "Triumph" has more irony and absurdity than an insult comic, which makes "Triumph" less biting or mean
03:29

Gary Smith

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Gary Smith on the differences between producing in the United Kingdom and producing in the United States, and on working with Jim Henson
04:19

Jaclyn Smith

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Jaclyn Smith on her advice to an aspiring actor
00:43

Yeardley Smith

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Yeardley Smith on her stage fright and how she's overcome it by being "over prepared"
01:27
Yeardley Smith on her early determination to find success as an actress, and feeling that she had a "gift"
03:36
Yeardley Smith on playing to your strengths as an actor and finding her way into a role
01:51
Yeardley Smith on the differences between television/film and theater, and appearing as a guest star on a TV show
06:08
Yeardley Smith on performing "Lisa Simpson"
01:11
Yeardley Smith on being on The Simpsons and wanting to get more on-camera roles
05:52
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio
04:10

Suzanne Somers

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Suzanne Somers on her experiences at the beginning of Three's Company, and learning to play "Chrissy Snow" as she went
02:32
Suzanne Somers on advice for aspiring actresses
00:42

Jean Stapleton

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Jean Stapleton on the professional reasons for not giving her age
00:44
Jean Stapleton on consciously trying to avoid being typecast by "Edith Bunker"
01:32

Johnny Stearns

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Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on the challenges of acting in live television
00:40
Johnny Stearns on the craft of acting
03:15

Mary Kay Stearns

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Mary Kay and Johnny Stearns on the challenges of acting in live television
00:40
Mary Kay Stearns on how she conquers stage fright
01:46
Mary Kay Stearns on how she approaches a role
02:02

Nick Stewart

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Nick Stewart on advice to those starting in the entertainment industry
01:46

Jerry Stiller

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Jerry Stiller on considering himself a comedian
04:34
Jerry Stiller on the creative freedom and support he felt on Seinfeld
02:53
Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara on how they became a comedy team
01:23

Maxine Stuart

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Maxine Stuart on performing under bandages, her face entirely obscured, for the classic Twilight Zone episode "Eye of the Beholder"
01:33

George Takei

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George Takei on how he approaches the craft of acting
12:07
George Takei on his advice to aspiring actors
01:33

Jeffrey Tambor

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Jeffrey Tambor on advice to an aspiring actor
02:50

June Taylor

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June Taylor on getting music for the June Taylor Dancers
02:12
June Taylor on adapting the choreography for the cameras on Cavalcade of Stars and working with director Frank Bunetta
02:59
June Taylor on the challenges of choreographing a ballet with several dancers on The Jackie Gleason Show, and on the Jackie Gleason composed ballet "Rhapsody"
02:09
June Taylor on the rehearsal process of The Jackie Gleason Show and Gleason's aversion to rehearsing 
04:01

Marlo Thomas

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Marlo Thomas on wanting to be an actress 
00:59
Marlo Thomas on her advice to aspiring actors and producers
01:08

Richard Thomas

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Richard Thomas on what he likes in a director
03:07
Richard Thomas on what he enjoys about acting
05:38
Richard Thomas on advice to an aspiring actor
01:35

Daniel J. Travanti

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Daniel J. Travanti on the challenge of playing characters based on real people, like Edward R. Murrow
06:23
Daniel J. Travanti on the life of an actor
00:56

Leslie Uggams

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Leslie Uggams on singing on television shows as a child and when she began to seriously studying singing
01:10
Leslie Uggams on studying acting as a child and later on with Stella Adler
02:03
Leslie Uggams on performing on stage versus performing on television
01:28
Leslie Uggams on what she loves about performing
00:59
Leslie Uggams on her favorite songs in her repertoire
02:10
Leslie Uggams on advice to an aspiring actress
01:15

Tracey Ullman

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Tracey Ullman on how she transforms into characters
02:15
Tracey Ullman on the role of comedy in the then-current political climate
02:40
Tracey Ullman on the power of comedy
01:51
Tracey Ullman on how she prepares to get into character, and on being respectful and professional to the crew on a set
03:34
Tracey Ullman on advice to aspiring performers
01:27
Tracey Ullman on the balance between being a performer and being a well-rounded person
01:22
Tracey Ullman on why she has resisted the term "comedienne"
00:53

Timothy Van Patten

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Timothy Van Patten on wanting to be an actor
00:56

Helen Wagner

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Helen Wagner on her advice to aspiring actresses
01:14

Clint Walker

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Clint Walker on his approach to acting
02:36

Jimmie Walker

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Jimmie Walker on dealing with disappointment and rejection in his career
01:37
Jimmie Walker on what he loves about stand-up comedy
00:55

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

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Malcolm-Jamal Warner on advice for an aspiring actor
04:23

Ruth Warrick

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Ruth Warrick on acting in live television
10:15

Dennis Weaver

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Dennis Weaver on learning method acting
04:10
Dennis Weaver on studying with Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio
01:42
Dennis Weaver on his advice to aspiring actors
01:03
Dennis Weaver on his acting style
00:15

Adam West

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Adam West on the experience of being a guest star on series, and on being typecast
02:31
Adam West on getting acting jobs after his Warner Bros contract expired
01:36
Adam West on advice to aspiring actors
01:43

Betty White with Emerson College

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Betty White on her "bag of tricks" as an actress 
03:47
Betty White on dealing with agents and managers
02:08
Betty White on her career longevity 
01:44
Betty White on words of wisdom for aspiring television performers
04:09

Fred Willard

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Fred Willard on what he's learned about improv acting from the Christopher Guest movies
02:25
Fred Willard on playing dramatic roles and the types of roles he usually plays
02:57
Fred Willard on what he likes about acting, doing research for roles, and what attracts him to a role
03:21
Fred Willard on advice to aspiring actors
01:48

Cindy Williams

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Cindy Williams on working with Penny Marhsall on the physical comedy of Laverne & Shirley
04:37
Cindy Williams on what she enjoys about acting
02:17
Cindy Williams on advice to aspiring actors
01:12
Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall on performing the physical comedy of Laverne & Shirley
13:36

Larry Wilmore

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Larry Wilmore on transitioning from writing jokes for himself to writing them for other people, and on finding his voice as a comic
04:25
Larry Wilmore on doing his early stand-up comedy routines and on doing improv
04:28
Larry Wilmore on his comedic influences
04:12
Larry Wilmore on his stand-up act
08:47
Larry Wilmore on considering himself to be primarily a producer, and on his kinship with stand-up comedy
01:38

Jonathan Winters

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Jonathan Winters on his admiration for actors on stage
03:43
Jonathan Winters on advice for creating characters
02:44
Jonathan Winters on advice to those starting out in comedy
03:37

Steven Wright with Emerson College

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Steven Wright on the first joke he ever performed and on unknowingly learning techniques by listening to comedy performances on the radio
05:13
Steven Wright on every comedian being a teacher and a student at the same time
01:48
Steven Wright on his delivery
01:27
Steven Wright on starting to tell jokes with longer setups, on pauses in delivery, and on waiting out a laugh
04:38
Steven Wright on a comedian's relationship with the audience
03:59
Steven Wright on his love of words when he was young
01:35
Steven Wright on his advice to anyone with a goal - take the risk
01:44
Steven Wright on how he creates his material
03:32
Steven Wright on advice to aspiring comedians
02:12
Steven Wright on whether or not you can teach someone to be funny
00:51
Steven Wright on whether or not you can teach someone to be funny
00:51
Steven Wright on the four things he would't talk about in his act and his rules for performing -- and when/why he would break his own rules
06:30
Steven Wright on his nerves when he first started doing stand-up -- on differences between being funny amongst friends vs. on a stage
01:47
Steven Wright on the challenges of starting out in stand-up
00:56

Jane Wyatt

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Jane Wyatt on the differences between acting for film, television, and the stage
01:11
Jane Wyatt on her acting technique
01:45
Jane Wyatt on advice to aspiring actors
01:04

Alan Young

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Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor
01:18

Kim Zimmer

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Kim Zimmer on her early interest in acting (and participating in pageants)
02:20
Kim Zimmer on her approach to acting
01:46
Kim Zimmer on being comfortable on camera right away
01:17
Kim Zimmer on advice to a daytime writer, from an actor's perspective
01:07
About

This category consists of actors, actresses, comedians, contestants, dancers/choreographers, panelists, puppeteers, stuntpeople, vocalists, and voiceover talent.