Charles Nelson Reilly 1974 Tony Awards

[@jeh500]

One of the best examples of how comedy should work by a master artist! Didn't know this existed. Made me roar - and miss the greats.

[@rouser301]

Because of prejudices of the day and in some cases now, this man was so underappreciated for his incredible comedic talent. Thank God Johnny Carson never ignored a chance to have him on his show. - THUMBS UP

[@fosbury68]

CNR also lived a few blocks from NBC Burbank and was often called on as a literal "last minute" fill-in for a no-show guest. But also because Johnny knew that Charles would ALWAYS deliver the goods.

[@ms.sonshine8878]

He did a lot of stage work, was a regular on Match Game and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. He had a very prolific career.

[@rouser301]

@@ms.sonshine8878 what made you think I wasn't a fan and/or wasn't aware of that?

[@thomasmagnum3588]

He has got to be one of the most enduring, endearing entertainers of his era…..wow, thanks for sharing!

[@carolfoxprescott2241]

Thank you, who ever posted this. He was my teacher and my love for him knows no bounds.

[@coldwinter5710]

Such kind words for a wonderful man. How fortunate are you that you had such an experience with a master. When and where did you take classes with him?

[@UberLummox]

@@coldwinter5710 Maybe she didn't mean teacher in the literal sense perhaps. (???)

[@coldwinter5710]

@@UberLummox True enough...But he did, in fact, do a lot of teaching/coaching, in the traditional sense for fellow actors. Many talents of which you never heard about him.

[@UberLummox]

@@coldwinter5710 Wow, ok. Very cool. Thanks!

[@anitarichmond8930]

You lucky duck🍀

[@GroovyShelly]

This is a hilarious bit of special material, brilliantly performed by a true original.

[@swelldame]

I adore Charles Nelson Reilly. Thanks for this clip.

[@joeblow6226]

What a treat. He's outstanding.

[@anitarichmond8930]

What energy,& that laugh, that unmistakable laugh, he's a character, I love revisiting the genius that is Charles Nelson Reilly👏👏👏👏

[@frisco21]

What a pleasure it is to watch CNR perform. Peerless!

[@kb1flr]

What an entertainer! I have watched this clip more times than I care to say, but each and every time I smile from ear to ear the whole way through.

[@treywest268]

Such an immense talent!! Fondly remembered and forever missed. Mr. Charles Nelson Rielly was so amazing!!

[@sushicourier]

Spectacular. I love that this is online.

[@stevensstage323]

Merely tremendous. The theater lost a great artist when Reilly relocated to the West Coast... for both career and health reasons. The dvd of his one-man show THE LIFE OF REILLY is a must-see...both hilarious and poignant.

[@UberLummox]

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll certainly czeck that out!

[@curtisrobinson7962]

I have a DVD copy I have been meaning to rewatch. Thanks for the reminder.

[@sushicourier]

I was watching an old Match Game on GSN and Gene Rayburn (who was also in Bye Bye Birdie and was Dick Van Dyke's understudy!) plugged this appearance of Charles on the 1974 Tony Awards. Thank you for having posted this!

[@coldwinter5710]

As did Burt Reynolds...dropped in on the game show to give kudos to his good friend CNR.

[@monkee5th]

I watched this because of Burt Reynolds comment on Match Game

[@UberLummox]

That;s right, I'm here becauzza Burt Reynolds' camio on Matchgame '74 plugging CNR too!

[@wheninrome345]

I am watching that Match Game episode right now..

[@time4me2fly94]

@@wheninrome345 2 years later and it was on again yesterday!! That's what brought me here too 🙂

[@Planet_Molly]

Glorious soul, Charles Nelson Reilly. I love him.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Excellent presentation.

[@bockharn]

It pre-supposes a far deeper knowledge of musicals than they could EVER get away with these days.

[@TheORIGINALBrentTheGent]

Thanks,MrPoochSmooch,for posting this "Lost Classic" of my favourite comedian! (When I met Billie Hayes @ the Burbank Marriott some years ago, we did an on-the-spot improv where I did my impersonation of CNR- she exclaimed"That's Charlie!")

[@richardgreen3397]

The essence of showmanship.

[@70Dallas70]

I’ve watched this more times that I should. Haha Always fun to revisit this!

[@maureentorsney-weir5869]

He was such a genius. The first time I heard him sing, I was ten and it his beautiful voice stopped me in my tracks!

[@johnbrowneyes7534]

My friend gave me a CNR t-shirt! I love it. Would have been great to have the chance to meet him. He had a great career in a time when he could of had no career at all. He was brave and he never gave up.

[@blattman13]

That was hysterical

[@tara607]

My Gosh, I stumbled upon this .. I always likes this guy, as a kid I remember seeing him, Always brought a smile and laugh. I Miss Him. :o(

[@dagnabbit6187]

CNR was a great Show Biz Television personality and Actor but I never knew he was big on Broadway and could sing. What I did know that in those days it was tougher to make it with only 3 Channels I first caught glimpse of CNR on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir . I remember he came on after after Siskel & Ebert on Jay Leno and they roared at his stories and comments . Everybody liked him. Even the XFiles People gave him a gig ------- which he nailed ! Charles Nelson Reilly was one of those people who represented Show Business very well !

[@sarahkinsey5434]

He was fantastic on Match Game too

[@stephenr3910]

He introduced that song. One of Jerry Herman's best ballads.

[@willboywonder]

I loved this. What a charming clip.

[@johnking5433]

I just saw him on an old Johnny Carson. He was so funny I went looking for more. He and Robin Williams were a lot alike. Both could get riffing, tossing out a million little asides in a manic performance.

[@nicoleveltri4680]

He was just talking about this performance yesterday on match game. I love him so much

[@deniseschloth3750]

I was also watching “Match Game” on GSN. It made me miss Charles Nelson Reilly so much. Had to watch this to take in his glorious comedic genius.

[@earlegavin5931]

I start off my morning watching match game before work 4-6 am,then after work match game again from 5-7 pm. East coast time.then laugh in To tie it all together.

[@alvilla9659]

Great

[@monkee5th]

A treasure we were blessed with.

[@WintersWar]

smart, confident and never surly. he was a real pro.

[@BTURNER1961]

It sure does its job. It not only makes us laugh, it reminds that 'who's who' of the stage, sitting in the audience, that stars will not shine very bright in their vehicles, with an incredible ensemble that includes talented character parts. If you look at any successful broadway show there are shining examples of feature and supporting characters which provide the necessary depth to the plays. Reilly kept being cast in those hilarious parts because he was fantastic in them. That kinetic energy and phenomenal sense of comic timing stole scene after scene.

[@sarahkinsey5434]

In my opinion, character actors are the best in the business because they have to have such a wide range. Your comment reminds me of the casts of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The supporting casts were made up of fantastic character actors, but sadly no one outside of the fandom know who they are. It's such a pity only a few are remembered for their talents.

[@BTURNER1961]

@@sarahkinsey5434 I was watching a youtube memorandum of the actors who had died that played either large or small or guest roles on the Waltons. It had been put up years ago not one comment, but if you watched you'd find a who's who of the great character actors in Hollywood, obviously Corby, Geer , but Mary Jackson, Beula Bondi, Denver Pyle, Merie Earle, the list was endless, these were incredibly gifted and versatile talents who did not have the faces/ figures of Brad Pitt or Farah Fawcett;.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

In that same vein, Marilyn Cooper comes immediately to mind too.

[@tarotbear]

I haven't seen this is years I always wondered what happened to it! "Forget your Pippins and your Cabarets! This is Bob Fosse at his best!" LOL!!! Wonderful!

[@DWor-]

Thank you for this fun! I remember knowing a lot of grumps who liked to make little of this man, such as the comic book characters "Milk & Cheese" playing something called "No Talent Celebrity" tag and reach for someone while announcing "Charles Nelson Reilly!" However, with the diminishing attention-spans and focusing skills in this day and age of tech-addiction and lack of so many only being able to express themselves, except for in the negative, I'd say Charles Nelson Reilly has far more talent and versatility than most of the people I ever knew.

[@davidbrims5825]

He’s a force of nature.

[@dianabeurman9937]

Loved him!!!!!!

[@hoorootv7266]

Gotta love that larf of his!

[@HermanSays]

A genius at work! RIP CNR.

[@frederickcombs8661]

CLASSIC

[@alvilla9659]

Fredrick combs really from boys in the band. Hee hee

[@WandaDeeBackroads]

He was a serious nut boy. I've always thought so. If I'd had the chance I would have said it to his face and I think he would have loved it.

[@ShanteYouStay]

I'm in love with this vid! Sooooo much funnier than dear Mr. Harris from 2012 Tony's.

[@sallywimberley5600]

WHERE did you discover this lost gem?

[@ms.sonshine8878]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TheDesmo54]

Wasn’t he Budd Frump in How to Succeed?

[@1868foxpoint]

Kenneth Desmond Mosley Yes!

[@schwei56]

The original beneficiary of corporate nepotism. He got a reprise of Company Way, and then later in the show, vowing revenge he sings, "I will re-turn!"

[@kazza6078]

"THIS was fosse at his best!" I'm dying

[@MichaelDG2023]

I remember him from Match Game and Laugh In!!! He seems a happier analog of Paul Lynne.

[@altatim]

Thanks so much for posting all these wonderful Tony Award moments. Absolutely terrific ! I have been searching for clips from the 40th Tony's forever- any chance some may be coming out ? Thanks again.

[@amylyn214]

spare that building...

[@michaeljfiorito]

[@lohphat]

He's so. so...BUTCH. I miss CNR. If you've never seen "Life of Reilly", his one-man autobiography show, do so. It's wonderful.

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

The original Cornelius Hackle

[@UberLummox]

You all should check out Wierd Al Yankovik's tribute song to CNR. It's truly freaky!!!

[@shack8110]

Charles was cool, but what is he doing here? Match Game brought me here and I've never seen the Tony's.

[@sarahkinsey5434]

He's performing the highlights of his Broadway career

[@coldwinter5710]

Do some history digging...he was a master of the stage! Also check him out on Johnny Carson, always hilarious! Was on JC over 100 times I think over the duration the show was on the air. Also best friends with Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning and Dom Deluise.

[@coldwinter5710]

Charles made it on Broadway as a Tony winner, an accomplished director on Broadway and on the Opera stage as well as a beloved acting instructor, long before his stint on Match Game. He was also one of the longest running guest stars on The Johnny Carson Show.

[@coldwinter5710]

@TheBrabon1 CNR is irreplaceable! 💗

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

He appears to be a little light in the loafers.

[@alvilla9659]

No really

[@edfinnesey7372]

Well, no one would ever mistake him for being straight.

[@bockharn]

Something (and, of course, someONE) we'd never see on the 21st Century Tonys.

[@constantreader7944]

Charles was the ultimate Broadway musical character star of the 1960s. He won for Hello Dolly and also was a smash in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. He opened in Neil Simon's plays. He directed Julie Harris to her biggest Tony winning. performance. He also was one of the best private acting coaches in the business, giving Lily Tomlin, Better Midler and others their starts. These days, somebody with his chops would certainly be featured on the Tony show. He was adored by all who knew him from his stage work, and obviously, the average schmo who only watches daytime television may not know him, at all.

[@sarahkinsey5434]

@@constantreader7944 I only know him from Match Game reruns lol. I love him on that show, he was so funny, especially with Brett!

[@barbarawaldorf330]

Kawfee NY style.

[@carloslozada2121]

way better than.neil Patrick Harris

[@curtisrobinson7962]

@Carlos Lozada Now, now that's like comparing apples with oranges. Oops, I take that back; they're both fruits.

[@hankaustin7091]

How did Moochelle Obuma get in to this video!?!?? did someone dub her in to it right at the end?? ruined the entire thing!!!!

[@ScorpioDreamer1984]

Hank Austin That's not Michelle Obama, nitwit. This lady looks way prettier. These are Tonys from 1974; therefore Michelle was probably about 10 years old then.

[@toothumbs]

Racism is an ugly thing

[@davidlionheart2438]

Racist, Fascist Pig, much?

[@seamus1956]

I’m not sure, but that huge smile makes me think that was possibly actress Cicely Tyson getting ready to present the next award.

[@coldwinter5710]

@@seamus1956 Yes! It was the very beautiful and very talented Cicely Tyson.

[@BalletBabyBoy]

Now THAT is Theatre!

[@kazza6078]

"THIS was fosse at his best!" I'm dying