Gary Frank, Willie Lawrence from FAMILY in a very personal interview!

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

Gary Frank and the entire ensemble cast of "family" was spectacular! Thank you for this interview! 🙋🏽‍♂️♥️🤗

[@ThatsClassicTV]

So glad to hear you enjoyed the interview! Family was and is a class act:)

[@jod6cindy]

Listening again! Gary Frank exudes tremendous kindness and good will. I love listening to his stories.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Wonderful to hear, Gary is definitely worth a second listening, what a beautiful soul😀

[@Bob-ml1mv]

I remember Gary Frank and I loved Family. I watched that show all the time. I still remember the whole cast I liked Gary Frank as Willy .

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@Bob-ml1mv Awesome Bob, incredible cast and show and Gary is a great person as well.

[@bob3782]

@@ThatsClassicTVi know he mentioned Kristy was on Apples way I remember that show I watched apples way wow blast from the past

[@welles2002]

As a kid family was one of the first shows for me that showed me really true characters and emotional stories on television. It was one of my favorites at the time

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I understand, Family was such a deep emotional series and holds so well today. Glad it took you back to those times😀

[@MarthaMagruder-fd2bh]

I loved the show Family! I am happy to hear that Gary and Kristy are still close! I have met Kristy a few times and she is super nice! I would love to meet Gary someday! Great interview John!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@MarthaMagruder-fd2bh Thanks a bunch Martha, they are both super nice. So glad you met Kristy😀

[@paulkitt-er9dr]

What a great interview. I have always wanted to hear Gary interviewed and this didn't disapoint.Family was one of the best shows of the 70s intelligent and brilliantly acted.Gary deservedly won an emmy for his performance.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Paul and glad you were able to see Gary interviewed. Gary was remarkable in Family and the show was such a high quality production.

[@jeannebrassil9288]

❤ this ty

[@jamesdamico9284]

I remember Family. It was a fantastic show. Very real. Incredible interview. Gary is so open and honest.

[@eyesonheaven4765]

Yes, loved that show! I hope one of these free TV outlets pick up the show 24 hours.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks James! Gary is very inspiring with his honesty.

[@beckigreen]

@@eyesonheaven4765 It was on Tubi or Pluto last year. I watched every episode.

[@jbp60]

It is available on the free streaming service Tubi and MeTV + airs two episodes each Sunday morning. Seasons 1-2 are on DVD.

[@frederickcombs8661]

Every episode Gary Frank was on was fine acting and very entertaining. FAMILY was a great drama and I still love it.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I hear you Frederick, Family is still a top notch drama😀

[@lorilee2485]

Thank you for this interview. Had not heard anything since the last episode. Absolutely loved the show. Always liked Gary

[@ThatsClassicTV]

My pleasure Lorilee, glad you found it and it brought back some great memories. Happy Holidays!

[@jod6cindy]

Gary Frank comes across as a humble, kind, sensitive, and absolutely wonderful gentleman. Very impressed with this man. And John, I will say the same for you. Both of you are class personified.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thank you for that, I think the same of Gary. Very kind of you❤️

[@markr.devereux3385]

@@jod6cindy teachers pet..

[@jod6cindy]

@markr.devereux3385 It's a great feeling to compliment people when they deserve it. I love it.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@jod6cindy Really appreciate it😀

[@lorabor8967]

I always liked how he portrayed Willy in Family.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I hear you, Gary was Willie!

[@pattyh956]

I still watch Family all the time. Loved it as a kid. Love it still. Loved the character of Willie. He was kind and giving yet spoiled and in some ways defiant at times. Great actor.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I hear you Patty, such a special show!

[@cocoaorange1]

It is on YT, some episodes. My family watched it too.

[@jbp60]

All episodes in complete authorized versions are on the free streaming service Tubi. KZbin is just fan loaded copies of lesser quality.

[@jod6cindy]

I still watch the show, and I still love it, too. It had a nice pace to it, and it was classy.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Well said😀

[@sallyn2393]

I love listening to Gary, he is always so generous and honest. Great interview John, and thank you for having him on. ♥️

[@ThatsClassicTV]

My pleasure Sally, Gary couldn’t be more gracious😀

[@karendegraaf1146]

Loved Family, and all the characters. Well written.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

So well written and acted.

[@vitopirri9556]

I was in high school in 1975 and an avid fan of Family. It was a great show. Very well written. My favourite episode is from Season 1, "A Right and Proper Farewell". I will still watch episodes that are here on KZbin.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks for sharing😀

[@eugenekozma2697]

Thank you for the interview.i was born in 1975.i watched reruns of family on the nostalgia channel in the 1990s.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Very cool Eugene!

[@reginamay2767]

Hello to you both and to all. I remember Gary or I haven't seen him in years where has he been this was a delightful show I love this thank you for having Gary on. I watch the show family it was good.❤❤❤❤❤ I'm very delightful interview with Gary I love listening to his stories.❤❤❤❤

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Hi Regina, so glad you enjoyed Gary’s stories!

[@clapolla]

Listened to the entire interview. I was too young to watch "Family" during its original run but I recently watched all episodes. Great show. Gary Frank is a very frank (no pun), unassuming, seemingly kind man. Enjoyed this.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Glad you saw both episodes of the interview. Gary is as genuine as it gets😀

[@kjones7561]

I loved Family and Gary Frank was the best choice for Willie for sure!! This is a great treat to watch.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks and so happy to hear it was a treat for you. Make sure to watch both episodes of the interview in case you missed that, enjoy!

[@ladyk63200]

This was my favorite show! Thank you, Gary. loved you in Family!!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Just love hearing that! 😀

[@robohead521]

This was a great interview. Loved the story about how he first met his wife.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Rob, I love that story so much:)

[@HootieRedwing]

The best engagement story I've ever heard.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@HootieRedwing Same here!

[@IndigoChick68]

I loved the show Family. I recently watched a few episodes and was reminded once again of how great TV used to be! 😉Love your videos

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks so much. Family was TV on a whole other level😀

[@alanfisher2121]

I LOVE "Family," so classy and well done... Sada reminded me of my Mother, and Gary was SO CUTE!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Glad it brought back those memories Alan😀

[@Teejayhaych28]

As a teen girl growing up in australia, i was the same age as kristy mcnicol, i absolutely loved this show, i watched it every week without fail😊😊

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Very cool😀

[@TOM_GINGERALE]

I loved Family back in the 70's. I watch it now when its on. Other people watched Eight Is Enough, but I didn't care for that. Family was a more serious, melodramatic show, but I liked that about it. There was always this sort of tension and melancholy to each episode.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Tom, I hear you. I actually did watch both shows but Family was a class act on a whole different level.

[@CharlesIngram-b5m]

Great interview of a great and candid actor!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks so much, Gary is just a humble person who is so talented, great guy!

[@RadTigers]

I grew up in the 80’s so Family was a little before my time. I only recently saw some episodes. I can tell I would have had a teenage crush on the character Willie if I was young when this show came on TV ❤

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Glad you got to see the interview and found Family. Thanks for sharing😀

[@janej8995]

Thanks for the great interview, John! "Family" was my favourite TV show growing up. The writing and acting was exceptional. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary and Carroll in October 2023 at a "Family" reunion event in LA and they were both a delight 🙂 I look forward to watching the second part of the interview!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

My pleasure Jane! So glad you met Gary and Carroll, they are so wonderful together❤️

[@stst77]

His marriage story is incredible.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I agree just an unbelievable story😀

[@markr.devereux3385]

i do remember FAMILY tv show. you couldnt ignore it. became a minor obsession with viewers. i remember the TV GUIDE covered the show and the cast in depth. GARY made his character very interesting. He projected a spiritual and sensitive vibe that i picked up on. i enjoyed the gary frank interview immensely.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Mark and so true regarding Gary’s portrayal of Willie Lawrence😀

[@suestabile1262]

Huge Family fan. Thank you!!!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

You're welcome, Family is a classic!

[@csrothlisberger852]

Another fabulous interview! I still love "Family" & watch it every chance I get. Looking forward to part 2.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks, enjoy Part 2😀

[@maryrodgers8606]

Nice interview.thankyou for sharing

[@ThatsClassicTV]

My pleasure Mary😀

[@brendastone3610]

Merry Christmas !

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@brendastone3610]

I grew up with this show!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Hope that brings back some great memories!

[@taniadolphy5122]

I loved this TV show! It was a great family show, and it brought a lot of happiness and content to me.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Isn’t it great to have awesome memories come back like that😀

[@stst77]

Great interview!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thank you!😀

[@brbrknndy]

I'm not going to question his methods but everyone should have an "Uncle Bobby" in their life.😉

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Couldn’t agree more😂

[@gailreese4102]

Brightened My Day! Thank you! WOW!!!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

My pleasure, love hearing that😀

[@RobGa66]

I remember him being on a 5th season episode of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ that was filmed in Hawaii.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

That is very cool and especially since it was shot in Hawaii😀

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

I still watch "family" on Tubi, KZbin, & I own the Season 1-2 DVD box set. It's one of the greatest shows ever produced & impeccably written. I recognized Caroll Newmann's name from the credits of The Walton's and "family.". It's wonderful that they're still so in love after all these years. With Kovacs on board, it's little wonder the cinematography was so beautiful. Nobody else could've played Willie as well as Gary Frank, he was and is EXCEPTIONALLY talented and charismatic. I hope that Mr. Frank knows how compelling & poignant his portrayal of Willie Lawrence was to us as viewers. I was also impressed with his acting in The Gift, opposite Glenn Ford. My Mom watched "family" during its original run. I watched "family" in syndication during my childhood and adolescence; in the mid-late 80's & early 90's, in Charlotte, NC (VisionCable); on WGN-Chicago, WOR-Secaucus, & LifeTime. Sada Thompson was one of the greatest actresses of all time & reminds me of my late mother. Thank you Gary Frank for all of the wonderful memories, & thank you to That's Classic! for presenting this spectacular interview to us! 🙋🏽‍♂️♥️🤗☺️

[@ThatsClassicTV]

It is my pleasure and I am so happy to hear it has brought back such wonderful memories especially of your Mom💕

[@leestoner4337]

Loved this interview, but concerning Kristy, in the Fall of 1976 my friend who had a crush on her, Teen Beat and Tiger Beat pictures on one wall of his bedroom and Star Trek posters on the other wall. One day we called 20 the Century Fox. after 2 failed attempts to try and talk to her. My friend called and claimed to be Kristy's uncle from Philadelphia, we were told to call back in 10 minutes and she'd be on break. So we called , they put us to the studio and for about 3-4 minutes we got to talk with Kristy. Matt was 15 I was 14. She closed with maybe we'll meet someday by. We were on cloud 9. The next day we went to school and told everybody and as you can figure,no one believed us. She used to co-host the Mike Douglas show. We would faithfully watch,hoping she would be ask about her strangest fan experience,just knowing if ask she would mention our call from her,"UNCLE FROM PHILADELPHIA". but it never happened. Matt passed away from a brain tumor in December of 2009. But one of the highlights of his life was telling people how against all odds,he talked to his famous crush on Kristy Mcnickles.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Loved your story, so cool😀Thanks for sharing!

[@stacystoltz8722]

Happy 😊 😃 😀 😄 Newyear 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Happy New Year to you as well🎉

[@stacystoltz8722]

Iwishyou show Family on The Hallmark Channel ❤🎉😊😊😊

[@ThatsClassicTV]

It would do well there😀

[@eyesonheaven4765]

When I see these actors and how old they are I say to myself am I that old now too and look that old? LOL

[@ThatsClassicTV]

It happens to everyone but so great to have them all with us😀

[@Jack-ke5uv]

He looks old because of the gray beard he obviously has chosen to grow. Men over 50 should not have beards as it will age them 20 or even 30 years. Some men think that by having a gray beard that people will think of them as wise sages. But unfortunately it only makes them look OLD. Have you seen David Letterman's beard? He looks like he is 100 years old and he obviously relishes looking that old.

[@karenleemallonee684]

On to the next! 👍👍

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Love it!

[@s.tupper4159]

Loved the interview. Always have been a fan of Gary's work. One thing confused me however. Gary refers to being married in 1975 and having been married 48 years several times. Either this interview is a year old or he is mistaken about the year. I would have assumed the former, but then I noticed that his IMDB page states he was married in 1976. Can anyone clarify?

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I can clarify, Gary might be off slightly as many of us can be when asked how many years we have been married😀What is amazing is they are still as in love as the day they met at that event. I know as I have gotten to know them both together. All the best.

[@s.tupper4159]

@@ThatsClassicTV Great interview! Thanks for answering. BTW, he so deserved his Emmy -- his performances were top notch.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@s.tupper4159 I couldn't agree more about his Emmy, he was Willie Lawrence!

[@joansmith5870]

Danny ❤❤❤🎉

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@joansclafani7813]

I was 11 and had just moved from paullup wa

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@@joansclafani7813 Thanks for sharing!

[@brendastone3610]

Do you still see Kristi?

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Gary does and he talks about that in the interview Brenda😀

[@brendastone3610]

@@ThatsClassicTV I asked the question early in the show before he talked about her. I did see it! I enjoyed the show! Thanks!

[@stacystoltz8722]

👍🏼 ❤😊😊😊

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Stacy!

[@brockreynolds870]

I am laughing my BUTT off about Gary's story of his wife getting the quick divorce in the Dominican Republic, they played out that EXACT storyline on The Young and The Restless a few months before, in May of 1975... Phillip Chancellor (Played by Donnelly Rhodes) flew to the Domincan Republic for a quickie divorce from his alcoholic wife, Kay (Played by Jeanne Cooper), so he could marry Jill Foster (Played by Brenda Dickson), and upon his return, Kay picked him up from the airport and promptly drove him over a cliff. He passed away in the hospital after marrying Jill Foster on his deathbed, thus igniting the longest feud in soap opera history.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks for sharing😂

[@jilltagmorris]

❤🎉😊🎉❤

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Jill!

[@deehardy285]

❤

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thanks Dee!

[@stst77]

I didn’t know they had answering machines in the 70’s! I never saw one until the late 80’s-early 90’s. In the 70’s I was still on a party line, rotary phone with a short cord, and only adults were allowed to touch the phone because it was for “grown ups”.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Love it😀

[@reginamay2767]

Listening about garys wife and him talking about her divorce. Wow she went through a lot just to get that divorce flying here and there and everywhere that sounds like a nightmare. 😱

[@ThatsClassicTV]

What an amazing story, love is powerful😀

[@stst77]

He said he felt sorry for Kristy not getting the school experience yet he had the school experience and it wasn’t so great for him, and i think because of her maturity the school experience would not have been so great for her either. I had the school experience and I can only describe it as boring and completely uninspiring. For others it is miserable but for a few it’s a great experience.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

I understand, I think Gary was saying it out of his love for Kristy and just wanted everything for her😀

[@Jack-ke5uv]

When I was in school 80 percent of the students found the experience miserable and uninspiring. I often felt out of place because I always loved school and the whole learning experience. Sometimes I pretended not to like school just so I could fit in. How foolish I was in my thinking.

[@stst77]

@@ThatsClassicTV I agree but it should comfort him to remember that school isn’t always the great experience that tv and movies make it out to be.

[@ThatsClassicTV]

@ Fair enough😀

[@stst77]

@@Jack-ke5uv yes, some people truly love school. My cousin cried when he graduated because he had such a great experience that leaving was a loss for him. Others have some of their fondest memories from their school days. It really depends on the individual and the school. I am glad you enjoyed school. It’s too bad you didn’t feel free to fully express and embrace that! But you still have the memories of it being a good experience and that’s what matters most!

[@whoofman2013]

Awesome interview!

[@ThatsClassicTV]

Thank you!