Hartford had the Mark Twain Masquers, which was fantastic. They had been in business I don’t know how many years. They knew how to build sets and sell tickets and put on a play. My day started at night. When I left the office, that’s when my day began.
What wouldn’t have happened to me if I hadn’t ended up in Hartford, Connecticut.
I still get fan mail for Columbo.
When I go see a basketball game, I’m always in the front row. I always have a table at a restaurant; I never have trouble getting a taxi.
My wife loves to get all dressed up and go out, and I’m this gloomy Virgo. It works because of the mutual recognition that we are two democratic narcissists. She does what she has to do, and I do what I have to do. We respect that.
Even the first year of ‘Columbo,’ ‘Columbo’ was Jesus Christ, No. 1, you know.
What’s the name of that famous museum in Paris? The Louvre? I went through that place in 20 minutes.
Oh, I was some efficiency expert. On my first day, I couldn’t find my own office in Hartford and wound up in the Post Office.
The entertainment industry is loaded with extraordinarily talented people. But the true, genuine originals, they’re rare.
I love Chicago. It’s one of the great cities. I’m crazy about the town. It reminds me of New York when it was at its best, the New York that used to be and is no more. I love the architecture, the old stuff and the new stuff.
I’m old fashioned. I really think you should know how to draw before you start painting. I use charcoal and graphite; I put a skylight in. In my house, I turned the garage into an art studio. So I’m awash in art studios.
I just keep working.
It depends how lenient you are with your definition of artist. If you’re going to include those who tap dance at the high school recital, then maybe I am.
I had two ambitions: One was to be in The Actors Studio, and the other was to walk into a bar where actors hung out, and everyone would know that I was a professional actor and I would be accepted.
Certainly, you envy the guys that have done all kinds of things, a variety of good scripts and good directors. Then again, having worked with Cassavetes has satisfied a big part of that.
I don’t dwell on it. But I guess everybody hopes that they go in their sleep and that it won’t be long and painful.
The truth is, no one is like Columbo.
I once did a film in Russia because I wanted to see what the hell was going on there.
I like stories that grow, that have unpredictable layers. As opposed to Hollywood movies that start out with a lot of shock and noise and peter out into an unconvincing cliche.
Everybody wants to be a movie star. I bet if you ask that guy would he like to be a movie star, he’d say, ‘Sure.’
My wife loves to get all dressed up and go out, and I’m this gloomy Virgo. It works because of the mutual recognition that we are two democratic narcissists. She does what she has to do, and I do what I have to do. We respect that.
When I go see a basketball game, I’m always in the front row. I always have a table at a restaurant; I never have trouble getting a taxi.
I had no idea when I graduated from high school and then from graduate school what I wanted to do with my life. I had no idea that I was ever going to be an actor.
The whole thing was an actor’s dream – getting a character that tickles you so much you can’t wait to act as him.
I did do my own stunts.
I used to take girls out on a date to Night Court. And I’ll tell you, most girls, they got a kick out of going to Night Court. ‘Cause you get a lot of laughs… and it’s cheap.
I’m makin’ a lotta dough, everyone knows who you are, and who the hell cares whether you’re typecast or not? Also, there’s something wrong with complaining about being typecast in something you really enjoy doing.
My father’s whole life was work. He had a retail store in Ossining, New York, and I mean, he was down there at 6:15 every morning. The store didn’t open until 9, but he hadda be down there. That’s all he knew.
I just keep working.
Columbo was never comfortable if somebody considered him unique or smart.
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