Dark Shadows - Louis Edmonds interview

[@Collinsport1966]

He actually helped cushioned the blow for me when Dark Shadows got cancelled and he showed up as Langley Wallingford on All My Children, which I started watching more when he got there, Thank You and R.I.P. Mr. Edmonds.

[@hollyb6885]

I loved roger but when Louis played Joshua he was absolutely amazing

[@David-yw2lv]

Joshua was the best character he played.Roger was a borderline jerk who came across as somewhat unethical.

[@fh8769]

The great oratory skills of Mr. Edmonds made Dark Shadows a joy to watch.

[@guylewis7418]

I never noticed this when I was 5 to 7, but the way the way DS was written, the way the actors spoke, was so elegant. In comparison, the dialogue for present day seems written for cave people!

[@novastariha8043]

Yes!!!! Exactly!! So beautiful the manners and language !

[@fucheduck]

you cannot get cornered in a lie or a bad deed like Roger Collins and get out of it like Roger Collins!

[@1701ALLEN]

@@novastariha8043 That's the way it really was in most of the country in the '60s. Rudeness and ugly language just weren't permitted back then. Especially on TV and radio. We've lost much of our class and our good manners since that time. People then would have been too ashamed to act the way some act today. It's sad, really.

[@novastariha8043]

@@1701ALLEN let’s jump in a time machine “””””””zoom back!!!!!!

[@ernestgrouns8710]

I love his ascots! The snobbery, the trans-atlantic accent... Wonderful character and actor!!

[@hudsony777]

They stay Trans-Atlantic now, but there was also another term: Broadway British.

[@skipeastport5529]

Louis called it “affected actor talk.” And he’s actually Southern. He has a Louisiana patois that was worked up into something that sounded Trans-Atlantic.

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

@@skipeastport5529Touche Skip! Louis as you know was from Baton Rouge and then trained at Carnegie Tech/ Mellon. He loved New York City and the people. I took him to Brooklyn one time to Coney Island, Nathan's, Spumoni Gardens etc. He was mobbed and as gracious as the fine gentleman he always was- and will be. Godspeed Stay healthy!

[@Historian212]

@@skipeastport5529 You mean an accent. A patois is a dialect, an entirely different branch of a language.

[@fucheduck]

Patrick Stewert is fully english but is trans-american in citizenship.

[@heavenbounddaughter1125]

As Roger Collins, he was so funny. So Snooty. His character was a joy to watch. Dark Shadows would have been sorely lacking if he were not on it. Thanks Mr Edmonds. Love you.

[@sharonhenderson8956]

Legendary Shakespearean Actor Mr. Louis Edmonds🕯 such a "treasure" & dearly missed. Loved all his Stoic high n mighty iconic "Collins" characters on Dark Shadows Roger; Joshua; Edward; Daniel; Amadeus; and Brutus. All masterfully portrayed.-✨✨✨🌟

[@WanagiAkicita]

Simultaneously he's just like Roger and nothing like Roger. Great actor.

[@THEAETHERMARTIAN]

You shall be remembered as one hell of a stellar actor during the production of "DARK SHADOWS". I remain quite impressed with your work. A true professional!

[@skipeastport5529]

Louis had the best lines on Dark Shadows and delivered them beautifully. I use some of Roger’s sarcasm and bon mots in real life. I try really really hard to deliver them with his panache.

[@frisco21]

In this interview, Edmonds comes closest to dropping his snooty mid-Atlantic accent than in any other interview I've seen. Almost, but not quite. When performing, he slathered that accent on with a trowel. It was great fun.

[@66collinwood]

Great interview with Louis Edmonds!

[@MichaelTeniente]

I love his acting as Joshua Collins.

[@anthonydworak8127]

I’m 100 episodes in, and Roger Collins is the franchise so far. Great actor.

[@timothycoudriet7322]

I think he was one of my favorites. His character would have me laughing cause at times he was so funny! More so then any other actor, he was a hoot!

[@barnabascollins3362]

My favourite actor on Dark Shadows :D I just loved Roger Collins :D

[@sharonlynnh.1951]

So elequent and bold an actor Louis Edmunds will forever be, loved "all" his iconic characters on DARK SHADOWS: very stoic and thespian performance he delieved with ease & power. Great Actor!! Miss & love him, much.

[@fucheduck]

the Patric Stewert of Dark Shadows. as in most of the actors were not English.

[@pattibrooks1907]

He was so awesome onDark Shadows and he was a good actor

[@nassauguy48]

Louis was one of the very few actors at that time who was out about his homosexuality. What is interesting is that, to my knowledge, there was never an ounce of controversy with respect to those scenes in which he had to embrace young David Henesy. (Roger Collins was the father to David Collins). Louis lived with his partner out east on Long Island, and was celebrated for the outdoor barbecues that he hosted for the Dark Shadows cast and crew.

[@inspectorspinda]

david was like 10. just cause your gay doesn't mean you're also a pedo. or did people think so at the time?

[@nassauguy48]

Inspector Spinda Dude, YES!

[@inspectorspinda]

atlantic1119 alright. didn't know.

[@urbanviii6557]

And gallons and gallons of booze, no doubt. These people knew how to party, I'm quite sure!

[@nassauguy48]

They probably did, but not to sound prudish, in a respectable way. I mean, nothing like the disgusting high jinks among the actors of today. No one ever heard any scandals about these actors.

[@allenjones3130]

Louis Edmonds was a fine actor who played an important part in the show's success.

[@IVant2BAlone]

I wish I knew which episode he was speaking of at the end. That was such a funny story.

[@jeanettesmith765]

Loved him on the show! He had the best lines!

[@deborahwayman9614]

Great actor he played his part well

[@lesmorrow226]

His accent was so good, I just assumed he was English. Was surprised to find out he was from Louisiana.

[@nassauguy48]

Southern gentleman. Very close.

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

YES LES BATON ROUGE

[@davephenix8449]

A CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY.....

[@primusmossjr]

He was a class act. His character was gruff but classy at the same time. He had a sort of dignity I can't quite explain. Reserved but a bit forceful. Great actors. That show had a great mix and chemistry from all who worked on the show. I loved the werewolf segments. They're harder to find

[@adelgado75]

I was born in 1966 but I remember the show in 69 or 70. I remember Angelique

[@jimsteele2472]

Love him on Dark Shadow & All My Children miss All My Children Erica Kane

[@lynnmitzy1643]

...i was in grade school, and I Ran home home ,so I wouldn't miss a minute..great show , wonderful actor

[@berrysgirl]

Roger was so cool.

[@wandaburns8075]

I always thought Big Lou had an elegance about him.

[@PotholesInMyLawn]

Love his voice

[@dorothysmom]

Love and miss you Cousin Louis.

[@stevecvino]

Mystery Science Theater could have just done Dark Shadows and been as successful.

[@zyxmyk]

I thought this guy was the best actor on dark shadows, or at least knew his lines and delivered them effortlessly. other people seemed to struggle at times. he never did.

[@secondcomingofbast9908]

zyxmyk He flubbed his lines here and there, but he always recovered brilliantly

[@stevejenner4226]

One of the best ever flubs (and recoverys) on DS was Louis (as Roger) intoning "It's strange to think some of my incestors are buried here", then realising what he's said, continues perfectly in character, "incestors, what am I talking about, Ancestors!"

[@njpubadjuster3710]

He has said in an interview that he was amazed there were few flubs on his part from his excessive partying, drinking and lack of sleep. He was also good at being able to cover his flubs well.

[@nyxidreams1079]

Yummy yummy Roger Collins!

[@mickeymartin464]

He was fun to watch lol his remarks were straight forward , rude too. 😂

[@sandrajette7771]

Louis Edmonds portrayal of Joshua Collins (Barnabas Collins) father was my absolute favorite. All of the actors,and actresses on Dark Shadows had something to offer!💜

[@inspectorspinda]

His real voice is actually American (at least I think). His accent in the show was a bit more British I think? I really don't have a clue when it comes to accents. Maybe it is just two types of American accent?

[@nicholasrue7397]

It's southern. Some southern people do sound a bit English. He played it up for Dark Shadows and made it sound a bit more posh and British, though. ;)

[@inspectorspinda]

It's weird though especially since Liz speaks very american. i guess roger must have got to boarding school in england or something.

[@nicholasrue7397]

That's what I always thought. ;)

[@MrCountrycuz]

He was born in Baton Rouge La and learned to do his accents from his childhood days going to the movies.

[@justinandsheba]

It's a "trans-Atlantic" accent. Google for details.

[@Kjt853]

Barnabas might have evolved into a sympathetic character, but watch the b&w episides when he’s first introduced. He’s a total villain, nothing sympathetic about him.

[@richardhamilton9936]

Yeah, he wasn't supposed to last for more than 13 weeks. And then the fan letters began to pour in by the thousands.

[@davidgagnon3781]

"Josette, stay out of it. This is between men now."

[@theresasutherly871]

I love him as Roger Collins, I like that attitude, He was just as good as Joshua Collins ,just very different.

[@philipmonihan8222]

Having mainly seen him as Roger, my first thought is... wow, that shirt.

[@jpsned]

He mentioned Katy Scott-aka Kathryn Leigh Scott. She was my first schoolboy TV crush. ❤️

[@FrederickTheGrt]

Oh, Roger, please!

[@journeyquest1]

Count Olaf.

[@hollyprincipato3287]

Yes. It was always storming. Way to many storms for my comfort.

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

HE WAS AN AMAZING MAN FRIEND AN ACTOR'S ACTOR THE VOICE FROM GOD I MISS U LUIGI

[@JOECANDELA22]

You must be Rudy! I see your name in the credits all the time along with Skip. You guys were in charge of video correct? Thanks to you guys we have the DVD's today so we can continue to enjoy DS. Thanks!!

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

@@JOECANDELA22 No Sir I'm Thomas Rudy's son. He passed in 1980. Godspeed ty. So You knew Skip? Ross Skipper

[@JOECANDELA22]

@@thomaspiccirillo6820 My condolences. No, I am only familiar with the name from the credits. I was a big fan of the show as a child and always recall seeing his and Mr. Skipper's name in the credits. I do have a question if you don't mind? I am watching the entire series again and I noticed right around the upper 700's/lower 800's episodes (Summer of 1969 episodes) that both your Dad and Mr Skipper's names were not in the credits for a brief period (there were a couple of other people in the credits) but then they resumed in the credits later on. I guess this was around the summer/fall of 1969. Any idea why? Did they rotate or go out for some reason? Union issues? Ever visit the set as a kid? That must have been incredible! Take care, a pleasure chatting with you Thomas!

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

@@JOECANDELA22 Thank you Sir! The summer of '69 Skip and my Dad did the simulations for the Moon landing. I visited the set often I brought 5 friends one Halloween to DS. It was Awesome! Godspeed Thank you!