Pat Harrington, Jr. with Emerson College

Actor
American Comedy Archives at Emerson College
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his ninety-minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Pat Harrington, Jr. (1929-2016) talks about his father Pat Harrington, and his career on stage. He recalls meeting Jonathan Winters, which led to several shots on Tonight Starring Jack Paar. He talks about appearing on The Steve Allen Show with performers like Bill Dana, and doing characters, the most famous being “Guido Panzini." Harrington discusses his stint on Norman Lear’s classic sitcom One Day at a Time as building superintendent “Dwayne Schneider." He details the popularity of One Day at a Time, and how the show dealt with co-star Mackenzie Phillips’ drug issues. He concludes by discussing his longevity in show business, and the importance of networking in one’s career. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on June 3, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I didn't have a hard time for the first 20 years. Steve Allen. You know? Danny Thomas. Jack Paar. As big as 'Schneider' was for me, it doesn't compare to my time on 'The Jack Paar Show.'"

People Talking About ...
Pat Harrington, Jr.
Highlights
Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
08:54
Pat Harrington, Jr. on his early characters including "Guido Panzini"
04:52
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the potential for comedy to heal through Yarmy's Army
06:25
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the writers and cast of The Steve Allen Show, including Louis Nye and Bill Dana, and on his characters on the show
05:52
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters
07:19
Pat Harrington, Jr. on his longevity in the business, and on his post One Day at a Time career
03:52
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early life, and his father Pat Harrington appearing in several shows with Ethel Merman; on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on his early characters including "Guido Panzini"
On appearing on The Steve Allen Show; on learning to be a performer from being around some of the greats as a child, and on watching Count Basie perform; on appearing on The Steve Allen Show; on dialect humor, and on getting into trouble with his "Guido Panzini" Andrea Doria routine
On the potential for comedy to heal through Yarmy's Army; on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
On his longevity in the business, and on his post One Day at a Time career; on the importance of continuing to network in one's career, and on training for acting
Shows

One Day at a Time (1975-84)

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
08:54
Pat Harrington, Jr. on writing for One Day at a Time, and on the message of the show
02:20
Pat Harrington, Jr. on Mackenzie Phillips' personal problems during the run of One Day at a Time
03:47
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the end of One Day at a Time
00:34

Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on working with Steve Allen, and on appearing on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law
01:51

Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
02:46
Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
05:15
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the writers and cast of The Steve Allen Show, including Louis Nye and Bill Dana, and on his characters on the show
05:52

Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
07:19
Genres

Comedy Series

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
15:35

Talk Shows

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
17:08
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
07:19
People

Ethel Merman

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on his early life, and his father Pat Harrington appearing in several shows with Ethel Merman
02:51

Jonathan Winters

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
07:23

Mackenzie Phillips

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on Mackenzie Phillips' personal problems during the run of One Day at a Time
03:47

Steve Allen

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Pat Harrington, Jr. on working with Steve Allen
01:51

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