Harvey Brownstone Interviews Legendary Actress, Writer & Director, Renée Taylor

Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth Interview with Legendary Actress, Writer & Director, Renée Taylor
About Harvey's guest:
Today’s special guest, Renée Taylor, is a highly popular and beloved, Oscar nominated, multi-award winning actress, writer, producer and director who has been dazzling audiences for over 60 years.
We all remember her portrayal of the quintessential Jewish mother, “Sylvia Fine” - Fran Drescher’s mother - on the hit TV series “The Nanny”, for which she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. But her stellar career and body of work extend far beyond that popular show.
On Broadway, she starred in 3 plays that she also wrote: “Lovers and Other Strangers”, “It Had to be You”, and “If You Ever Leave Me, I’m Going With You”, which she wrote AND directed . And she was nominated for an Academy Award, along with her beloved husband Joe Bologna, for co-writing the 1970 movie “Lovers and Other Strangers”. She and Joe also wrote and starred in the 1971 movie, “Made For Each Other”, which earned them a nomination for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy. And they wrote and directed the wonderful 1989 film, “It Had to be You”, based on their Broadway show. They also co-directed and co-starred in “Love is All There Is”.
And who can ever forget our guest as Ava Braun in Mel Brooks' classic 1967 movie, “The Producers”? She also appeared on the big screen in “The Detective”, “A New Leaf”, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, “Lovesick”, “White Palace”, “Delirious”, “Boynton Beach Club”, “The Do-Over”, “How to be a Latin Lover”, and many more great movies.
On television, besides “The Nanny”, you’ve seen her in dozens of shows including “St. Elsewhere”, “Thirtysomething”, “Daddy Dearest”, “Dream On”, “Everwood”, “Law & Order: SVU”, “How I Met Your Mother”, to name only a few. And she’s appeared in numerous TV movies and miniseries including “A Match Made in Heaven”, “Pandemic”, “Weird Loners”, and “Bedrooms”, which she and Joe Bologna co-wrote, co-directed and co-starred in. She and Joe also co-wrote and co-starred in the 1974 TV movie “Paradise”, for which they received an Emmy Award nomination for Best Writing. And they WON an Emmy Award for writing the brilliant TV movie, “Acts of Love and Other Comedies”.
And if all of that weren’t enough, our guest is also a best-selling author of a very entertaining book entitled, “My Life on a Diet: Confessions of a Hollywood Diet Junkie.” And a few years ago, she went on tour with her hilarious one-woman show called “My Life on a Diet”.
For more interviews and podcasts go to: www.harveybrow...
#RenéeTaylor #harveybrownstoneinterviews

[@TangoEliott]

There seemed to be moments where she was not giving much info, but you didn't let it stop you. You continued on and were able to pull so much out. I don't think other interviewers could have done it. But that doesn't surprise me. You are gifted!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

You are very perceptive! And I really appreciate that you really “get” what I was trying to do. This interview definitely had its challenges but after all, she’s almost 92 years old and isn’t in the best shape.

[@MP-lq3xx]

agreed! The two of you made that interview special...thank you!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@MP-lq3xx thanks so much for saying that

[@TangoEliott]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 yes, it was evident, but at the same time, she was interested in many of your questions. As was I. You know by now I greatly admire your love for your role in bringing us these gifted people.

[@dubbelhenke854]

Yes Harvey is such a pro with all these wonderful guests. He is never "fresh" or condescending or prying, but he succeeds anyway in asking interesting, and sometimes a bit provocative questions without anyone ever getting insulted. I guess he must be a total dream at parties. 😄

[@Maria-qi1vu]

Thanks Harvey- great interview! She’s still adorable!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She sure is! Thanks for watching

[@laurenl5843]

I love Renee! Thanks for this interview! 💜😊

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I love her too. So much. Thanks for watching!

[@amphotos]

Harvey! I was ABSORBED in this interview as I had the privilege of hanging out with Rene Taylor many times and have many candid photos of her and the way she was on your show is the way she has always been every time I was around her. You were so incredibly powerful in such a loving way. You made a REAL impact on a legend who has people praising her all the time. She is beloved. I can't wait for you to meet her in person!!! Anyway I LOVED the show....AGAIN!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you so much Alan. You must have had so much fun hanging out with Renee. She is such a sweetheart. I hope one day we get to hang out together.

[@loughton57]

Hands down Harvey you’re the best, never amiss, you always ask the right questions. Renee looks and sounds great. Her acting is superb !! In this interview she had me giggling especially the Tennessee W remark. I lived in the UK for a lot of years and developed a very British accent. When I moved back to the states some people would ask me where in the UK was I born, the rest asked where in Brooklyn haha !anyway, considering I lived in Boynton Beach for 12 years, I’m gonna watch the film again, because I don’t remember seeing it 🤔thanks Harvey for having Ms Taylor on as your guest ❤️

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thanks so much for your delicious comment!! I appreciate you so much!!

[@loughton57]

⁠you’re so welcome 👍😊@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980

[@DeniseEverett-e8u]

I love Rene Taylor, she was great on The Nanny, and such a wonderful actress, this was a great interview, thank you!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thanks so much for watching

[@MidCenturyMikey]

I got to meet Renee when she was on the nanny. My friend Eric O'Neill was her personal assistant so I got to see her house, hold her Emmy and know her away from the limelight.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

What did you think of the interview?

[@AdrianChristian]

What a remarkable lady and thank you for informing us as you do, Harvey.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@G-B31]

When I was a teenager in the late 60's and early 70's, I used to see Renee regularly as a guest on the Merv Griffin show. She was always fun and funny!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She sure was. What did you think of the interview?

[@barbaramandel3595]

Hi, Renee, from south Florida. I remember going to an enjoyable dinner with you and Joe along with Phyllis and Bob after your show down here. Sending very best wishes!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Ms Taylor doesn’t read the comments on our KZbin channel. She isn’t a fan of computers. But thanks for watching our show

[@famasmaster2000]

Harvey, another awesome interview, you could just feel the years of her experience coming out and it was fascinating ! I have to say, you have an awesome talent and heartfelt way of getting people to trust in your true sincerity. It's absolutely admirable Harvey ! You make me a proud Canadian 😊 You truly warm my heart during all these interviews, you are keeping sincerity and true friendliness alive, KUDOS my friend 👌👍🏼

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I continue to be awestruck, grateful and humbled by your very kind feedback about my interviewing style. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@chillrob-g1838]

What a wonderful interview - thank you Harvey. I remember seeing Made for Each Other on the late late show when I was a kid.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thanks so much for watching

[@ALBundy62.]

Harvey, your introductions are so great you would make anyone feel like a star. Keep up the good work.👍

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

What a lovely and very kind thing to say. Thank you so much!❤️

[@ALBundy62.]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 You have a gift of making all your guests feel very comfortable were they feel freely to talk 👍😀

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@ALBundy62. Thank you so much. I hope I also make my viewers feel good. I so very much want people to enjoy our show. Hopefully our audience will keep growing. I really do believe we have one of the best talk shows on KZbin

[@MsBackstager]

I luv her NY accent -- I can relate. Luv her and luv you Harvey. She seems to luv everyone that she worked with -- a sign of a great person.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She sees the positive in everyone, even Don Rickles, who couldn’t learn his lines!

[@TheRavenal]

Wow, what a nice surprise to see Renee Taylor as your guest. Enjoyed your interview with a melancholy Renee very much. So inspiring to listen to someone her age who is mentally agile. I don't know when I first became a fan of hers. I didn't watch her acting, I think it was seeing her and Joe together on interview shows and finding them entertaining. Loved her Life on a Diet book and saw her one-woman show 5 years ago here in Palm Springs. Thanks again for your prep work and ability to weave in and out to keep the conversation fluid. I agree with her on bloopers.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you for watching, and for your very kind feedback about my interviewing style

[@danliebman8943]

If there is an Award for "Best Interview," may I suggest you submit this one? Gentle, hilarious, touching, poignant, brilliant -- you and Renée Taylor were made for each other. (And you gave her the perfect response to Tennessee Williams' question.)

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Oh Dan I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate and cherish your very kind feedback about this interview. Thank you so much

[@kevinkingston6488]

Miss Taylor was certainly accomplished in her own right , and performed with some of the greatest stars . Really enjoyed this interview , and Your Interviewing was Excellent , You are still my favorite Interviewer , Thank You for a great interview Harvey , Awesome ....10 out of 10 ❤

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you so much!! I love being your favorite interviewer!! That means the whole world to me!!!

[@margeshilling7983]

I've loved her since the very beginning. She is one of a kind.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

So true. I hope one day you will believe that our show is one of a kind

[@joemanzo4453]

She is so adorable! I loved her on The Nanny ! I love that she is still so feisty and still together. Age obviously has not slowed her down

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She’s wonderful

[@aprince4u]

God, her doing a spin-off would be hilarious. I saw her at a screening for a film she and her husband did. I was there with a producer.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

What did you think of the interview?

[@patriciawhite6820]

I enjoy these interviews because Harvey Brownstone always seems to be such a fan of the people he talks with. He was especially sweet with Renee Taylor. I loved her role on "The Nanny"!!! I also remember the Jack Pear show.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I am indeed a big fan of everyone who appears on my show.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

How marvelous to see this and see that it is totally fresh.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you for appreciating our show so much.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

"Dying is no Excuse" is a perfect title.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@nonenoneonenonenone I love it!!

[@butterbean3676]

Wonderful talk!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you!

[@cynthia4326]

Rene is an artist, and a real broad.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Perfectly said!

[@MissPerriwinkle]

what a kool lady ! great communicator.. her chat show appearances are legendary.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

And now she’s appeared on my chat show!!

[@terracelady]

How wonderful she looks for 91😊

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She’s beautiful inside and out

[@wendykornfein3337]

A masterpiece from Harvey.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

WOW I’m not sure I would go that far. This interview had its challenges but I persisted, and to get such kind and generous feedback like yours made all my hard work worth it. THANK YOU

[@wendykornfein3337]

@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 With my compliments to you, always comes with it, awareness.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@wendykornfein3337 god bless you Wendy. Thank you so much

[@Sylviasdaughter-po8we]

I have always loved Renee. I remember her many funny appearances on the Merv Griffin Show.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She was hilarious on that show but it undermined her desire to be seen as a serious actress. She realized that only too late

[@albertramirez9770]

What a delightful interview with such a young hearted and hilarious legendary actress ⭐️…Renée Taylor is definitely one of a kind 💫

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you so much for watching and for your beautiful feedback!!

[@albertramirez9770]

@ my pleasure❕

[@johnadams9247]

Thank you.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching

[@oceandreamer1958]

Another wonderful interview! She’s marvelous!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you for watching

[@suzeauster2223]

Homerun Harvey!!!!! Happy Holiday's for All 💕

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

You have no idea how much I appreciate this feedback. THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤️

[@ricj7517]

Love this interview 👍

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@ricj7517 I am very happy you like the interview

[@jamessullivan1714]

Another great interview

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you!!

[@fionafinch348]

Renee Taylor is wonderful & this was certainly an honest & emotional interview. I recall seeing a 1960's appearance of Renee on the Merv Griffin show when Andy Warhol & Edie Sedgwick were also guests. Andy wasn't speaking & had delegated Edie to speak for him. & Renee had everybody in stitches.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She truly is a brilliant person and entertainer. Thank you so much for watching

[@atrocchia]

Such a down to earth individual.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thanks for watching

[@Tidyisland]

What a great career and a fantastic actress. I loved her as Sylvia on The Nanny!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I hope you enjoyed the interview

[@johnreynolds5407]

What a pleasant surprise.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

What surprised you?

[@johnreynolds5407]

@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Just to see her. She seemed to disappear in recent years. Obviously, I was wrong. Would be a pleasure to see her in New York in March.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@johnreynolds5407 I’ll be there. Looking forward to seeing you there

[@karenleemallonee684]

She is wonderful! I loved listening to her voice. You said it's a New York accent, but I heard Bostonian, she sounded exactly like my Beloved Grandmother! What a wonderful interview, Harvey, thank you!!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She’s definitely from NYC. And yes indeed she reminds me of my grandma too. I had tears in my eyes throughout the interview

[@1oconto]

Love Renee, gentle tears, naturally funny.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Yes a true natural comedienne

[@CrissyRed]

I believe Renee Taylor catapulted the nanny to the success it became ❤

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I agree

[@melissaphillips3088]

She is so amazing i love her❤A great actress 🎉

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I hope you enjoy the interview

[@michaelmorin6235]

Love this

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

And I love you for loving what I do!!

[@taiikomochiyuurichin1459]

You cant go wrong with Renee Taylor because she cant be wrong when she knows she is right!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I love that!!

[@michaelcubria]

@harveybrownstone - I agree with some of the other commentary about Miss Taylor being, au peu l'ecart. But you did a great job navigating the "choppy waters" 😊.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I speak French fluently and have never heard that expression. Will have to look it up. And as for “choppy waters”, Renée was a pleasure to work with compared to many other guests, believe me

[@michaelcubria]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 - Harvey Ms. Taylor certainly came across as pleasant person, I just meant that she didn't really answer some of the questions you asked, but you navigated it well. Au per à l'écart means a little aloof. It's not really a saying, just a literal translation. Happy Holidays, Harvey.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@michaelcubria oh now I see what you’re saying. I didn’t find her aloof at all. She was warm and engaging. She was just elderly and frail with limited energy. Thank you for your kind words about my interviewing style. After filming almost 500 interviews, I guess I’ve become somewhat adept at managing every kind of personality or curve ball a guest can throw at me

[@cheyennehunter3087]

I loved Renee

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I hope you love the interview.

[@willnoiles2001]

My favourite role I loved her in was as James Spader’s Jewish mother in ‘White Palace.’ She was a hoot in that. Good interview although I definitely got the impression you were trying hard to get something out of her at times as some of her answers didn’t amount to much so it felt like you were having to pull teeth. Good job in not letting it show!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Well if you could tell I was trying to pull teeth, then it DID show because you were absolutely correct. She was highly emotional after hearing my introduction, and we had to stop the interview numerous times for her to collect herself. She was also very tired. This interview is highly edited and was definitely a challenge.

[@willnoiles2001]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980, yes, I definitely caught how emotional she was by your introduction. You know you’re really doing well when you have them in tears before it starts. If she was tired, which I didn’t know, that likely heightened her emotions. Considering the conditions she was operating under, you got a pretty good interview!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

well she gave a much better interview on the Tales of Hollywoodland podcast. But I did the best I could in the circumstances

[@willnoiles2001]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980, you did. I will have to look up this other interview. Thanks for sharing this info.

[@cynthia4326]

WOW

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

What WOW’d you the most about this interview?

[@patronsaintofnow9765]

So glad I caught this! Renée is a favourite of mine & her mentioning working with Don Rickles & Richard Lewis on the short lived show 'Daddy Dearest' is spot on - here is a link to the outtakes she mentions; I've watched these countless times when I need a laugh. Pure comedy GOLD! kzbin.info/www/bejne/raWqon5qedacrdE

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thank you for sharing this very entertaining link, and for watching our show

[@patronsaintofnow9765]

@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 You're welcome - most people never even saw the show as it was cancelled after a handful of episodes, but it's worth watching just to see Renée with Don & Richard - and as I said, the outtakes are just comedic gold. Don could ad lib his way out of any situation with a finesse we almost never see today. (*And I agree, we need to see Sylvia Fine back on TV! ❤👏🏽)

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@patronsaintofnow9765 I barely remember that show

[@terimeyer2665]

❤

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

❤️❤️❤️

[@maxlinder5262]

Renee Taylor should write a Book ..not a Bio ..but stories of her life .. before & during her Show Business career..It seem like she would have so much to tell ...& make it Funny...😊.. just my opinion

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

I agree 100%. What did you think of the interview?

[@lindy2164]

Wonderful as always Harvey.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

That means the world to me. In this case, more than you can ever imagine.

[@lindy2164]

@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Oh !!!. I hope all is well with you Harvey. 🙂

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@lindyhawthorne2164 yes thank you. I hope all is well with you too!❤️

[@crocmuncie]

You forgot the movie with Jerry lewis where she tries to teach him how to say his new boss’s name

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Oh you’re right!! Darn it!!

[@wendykornfein3337]

I'd go see her!

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Me too! And I will!!

[@MaleOrderBride]

Hmmm i love Renee Taylor...but i think she might have been having an "off" day here😢 she seems upset and scared😢 usually she is sassy and charming😢😢😢 love her so much❤❤❤

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

She was emotional. My introduction really moved her. She was definitely not upset or scared. She enjoyed the experience very much. But at 91 she is in fragile health.

[@MaleOrderBride]

@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 yes please don't mistake my comment for hate. It's just sad watching our favorite performers get older and frail😪

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@MaleOrderBride believe me I get it. It’s the reason I try so hard to get these legends on our show - before it’s too late

[@MaleOrderBride]

@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 thank you for all this memorializing work you do, Judge Brownstone💚

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

@MaleOrderBride you are very welcome. I love hosting a talk show. And please feel free to call me Harvey. I fully retired from the judiciary

[@amyxplores810]

Hello, love your videos. Jesus loves you and is waiting for you to ask him to be your Lord and Savior. ❤ He will never leave or forsake you.

[@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980]

Thanks so much for your blessings.