Richard Harris & Peter O’Toole Went To A Bar During Their Play | Late Night with Conan O’Brien

(Original airdate: 02/14/97) Richard Harris discusses his and Peter O'Toole’s tradition of going out for drinks mid-play - and the time they forgot to return to the stage in time for their cue.
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ABOUT LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN
Running from 1993-2009, Late Night with Conan O’Brien is one of the most beloved late night shows in television history. Known for its absurdist humor, hilarious celebrity interviews and featuring the best stand-up comedians and musical acts of the 90’s and early 2000s. Hosted by Conan O’Brien alongside sidekick Andy Richter and house band Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7, Late Night with Conan O’Brien featured unforgettable segments like “If They Mated,” “In the Year 2000,” “Desk Driving” and made a breakout star of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
ABOUT TEAM COCO
Team Coco is the KZbin home for all things Conan O’Brien and the Team Coco Podcast Network. Team Coco features over 25 years of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and stand-up comedy sets from CONAN on TBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove and Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley.
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[@eric_e95]

His ability for telling stories was absolutely extraordinary

[@dianapennepacker6854]

I can't pinpoint where I saw him in something, but he is a classy man.

[@eric_e95]

@@dianapennepacker6854 Dumbledore in the first Harry Potter

[@AndyP998]

Shows when audience is totally silent that they all wait his story, like people watching here too

[@sugarwalls2022]

@@dianapennepacker6854 Gladiator. Alongside Russel Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. For example...

[@624radicalham]

@@dianapennepacker6854 UNFORGIVEN with Clint Eastwood

[@hereticlife2546]

Everybody hates us drunks when we’re going through it but they love hearing our stories a decade later

[@johnwilliams2479]

Ain't that a fact, I not had a drink for 14 years, don't know whether the drink had enough of me, or I had enough of me

[@richjn865]

Living with an alcoholic is hellish. It’s not funny or clever, it ruins lives, everything they touch turns to s**t.

[@alijahani4533]

​@@johnwilliams2479 766

[@alijahani4533]

Y

[@alijahani4533]

Yyyyy

[@clintleffingwell8129]

"We dropped our drink, quickly down our throat." - classic line

[@currykingwurst6393]

Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole were quite a pair. They got so many fascinating and hilarious drinking stories together.

[@interabang]

You should read about Oliver Reed regularly drinking them under the table and then he himself getting the same from Keith Moon 😏

[@liamg2271]

They were damn good actors as well. Harris was crazy underrated as an actor, he was great in everything.

[@1nvisible1]

*Now that... is a Canadian Tuxedo.*

[@domkingsleigh8640]

i love how he keeps referring to himself as “Harris”

[@sunshine3914]

Was thinking he meant Houston, as in John Houston.

[@dynomar11]

@@sunshine3914 but.. why

[@matthewcolicigno8132]

Harris has the most extraordinary speech and diction. He can make reading an encyclopedia interesting.

[@flemingcourt]

Indeed, it takes the classically trained Brits to show the rest of the world how to speak.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Richard Harris (October 1, 1930 - October 25, 2002), aged 72 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@PedroMartinez007011930522]

Best dumbledore actor

[@Alex-ks9es]

He has died after the chamber of the secrets film

[@crosswaynyc]

I get depressed thinking of him not being able to finish the Harry Potter film series. He was a brilliant actor.

[@estebanrivera4786]

Richard Harris was Dumbledore - not Peter lol

[@hieinh]

Michael Gambon was better but Richard would never be able to do the physical stuff in the later films

[@hieinh]

@@estebanrivera4786 That is Richard

[@puterbac]

@@hieinh umm no. Harris played Albus perfectly. In 4 when Harry’s name comes out of the goblet and Gambon confronts Harry like he did in the movie is so out of character for Albus it was shocking.

[@thomsboys77]

Richard hated playing Dumbledore

[@bajovato]

I want to be just like Richard Harris when I get older. What a cool dude… And he still has all his wits about him.

[@gerryfinegan]

Unfortunately to be witty when you are older………ye kinda have to be witty from the start! Richard is gone but his like will never be seen again.

[@chaddraizin6616]

I fear you may be mistaken about him still having his wit, as he's been dead for 19 years.

[@iffracem]

I think you need to be born Irish for the style of wit this man had (and his often partner in crime Peter O'Toole) There are other styles of wit out there, equally good, but just not the unique Irish style, which cannot be learned, it is born

[@Aithis.]

@@iffracem I think every Irish person might have some amount of the same wit but definitely not all of us have the same level of enthusiasm that Harris has lol. I live up north in Ireland and there’s kind of a general depression of sorts but the humour and wit doesn’t die, a funeral can be a funhouse.

[@3storiesUp]

Love him .. He paved the way for Irish actors .. they could NOT ignore his incredible talent ..

[@adambazso9207]

Jared Harris sounds so much like him. The intonation and the voice. Also different, of course, but very similar too. Incredible.

[@kaveman1021]

Like father like son.

[@TheGlaiveOfKrull]

This is my all-time favorite Conan interview. I watched it on the original broadcast, which I luckily had also been taping for my brother. We would rewatch this multiple times over the years. How could you not love this man? RIP Mr. Harris.

[@commonsense4257]

well this one and the other one with Norm....'' Chairman of the Bored'' !!

[@kevinwhelan9607]

Ask his children what it was like when he came home drunk. Must have been hilarious...

[@castorphans]

His youthfulness, at 66, was more delightful to watch than anyone I know today. What a great character!

[@jaceeaster2246]

this is MY Dumbledore right here!! RIP to RH!

[@thisisit2082]

I read this book called Hellraisers. It told stories of he, Peter, Richard Burton and Oliver Reed and their penchant for....everything. How the hell they all lived as long as they did is amazing. And...it was a good book and I recommend it.

[@Tabish29]

I read it. I feel that Harris exaggerates his stories. I found Burton and O'toole to be the most believable. Ollie just struck me as the most insecure guy I've heard about. Way over the top. But compared to today's actors these guys led very brazen reckless lives although the 60s were far more different tines than today.

[@thisisit2082]

@@Tabish29 It was a source based book from people that knew all four of them ( and two had already died at time of publication)sooooo....how is Harris exaggerating? He lost work because of his partying.

[@Tabish29]

@@thisisit2082 I just feel that Harris sensationalizes his stories. I never felt that Peter or Richard did. It's an instinct as a reader and also from the numerous interviews I've seen of them all.

[@guyellis9450]

I bought the book, but dare not read it as it will be too good

[@davidleedutton]

I love that Macbeth story. He told it on the Tonight Show during Johnny Carson's last week on the air.

[@eisbaerenhasenzahn]

His son sounds so much like him.

[@DavidArriola]

Absolutely!

[@ClaudioYanes84]

It is amazing how much Jared Harris not only looks but also speaks and sounds like his father.

[@ryanellis4474]

He is such a treasure! Conan handled it well Other hosts might have stepped on Harris, but Conan held back just enough

[@lainerichardson9533]

The original Dumbledore before he passed.

[@zakmartin]

Yes, he did handle it well, but it was a close call...

[@ryanellis4474]

​@@zakmartin - What is going to happen tomorrow? Will the stock markets crash on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023? You claim to be a psychic, but did you know that the banks will fail and cause a widespread bank run on Black Tuesday 2023? The Next Great Depression comes tomorrow, oh psychic. You did not see this exact date and circumstance in your videos, did you?

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

Letterman was the same with Peter O'Toole. He'd set him up to tell a story, and then sit back and let him tell it. Cos he knew it would be a gem.

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

He’s like the awesome fun loving Irish grandpa we wish we all had. His son Jared is just as talented as his dad is, and has very similar mannerisms in his speech, minus the accent difference. But if you listen to his singing on Camelot, at times you can hear the similarity in their voices. And to think he was in what his mid to late 70’s here, and still a VERY energetic man…wow.

[@paulrodberg]

Camelot astounded me on every level. I was young when I first saw it. Richard Harris simply stole my heart and soul. He was the king in every sense, so human and noble. Enjoyed his joy and cried his pain.

[@GymAndSun]

The legend is giving the cameramen fits with his movement. 😆 He’s captivating with these stories

[@Quadplaya06]

For the first like 20 seconds I was thinking, I didn’t know Conan used to have a rocking chair for his guests lol. I never knew he was such a great storyteller. Absolutely hilarious.

[@joshuatamisford2574]

How charming is this man? One of the greatest actors of all.

[@dynomar11]

Can't believe he died just five years later. So much energy at his age.

[@laurathornton1456]

I have never been able to quite make up my mind which is better‐ Harris' stories or watching Harris TELL his stories. Both were truly entertaining! I do miss the grand ,an himself!

[@ltlbuddha]

Harris shows it isn't what you've done, but how you tell the story of it.

[@aljomc6444]

A very Irish take but true. In reality....we covet great stories over great achievements

[@edwardwilliams2438]

Richard seems to be a real rip! Love his fun attitude...he would be the life of a social gathering. Sorry he is gone...Loved him in Gladiator.

[@5050kas]

AND DUMBLEDORE

[@nancyscogin7549]

One experience I'll never forget is seeing Richard Harris as Arthur in Camelot. I loved him.💔

[@themydnighthour]

Bro. Saw this in my dad's place before going flounder gigging. 17 y/o. This is classic and REAL late night TV.

[@themydnighthour]

Give him ALL the time.

[@markmarsh27]

"Madam, wait until O'Toole makes his entrance!" .... You just CANNOT GET a better story than that one ANYWHERE! ... Peter O'Toole told the same story on Letterman exactly as Richard Harris just did.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

a cat or a dog?

[@sg-vp2qg]

That totally ruins the story, when you throw the punch line out there:(

[@RayCurrin75]

This man's life is just legendary 😁 Would love a biopic about Harris, O'Toole, Reed and Burton... would put the Ratpack to shame😂💚

[@jaykayzed5213]

NEVER get past the censors!

[@RayCurrin75]

@@jaykayzed5213 unfortunately your right 🙄

[@bishopaz]

There was a book about them, Hellraisers, it's a real hoot. So many great stories

[@carathebaker]

The full name of the book is Hellraisers: The Life and Inebriated Times of Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole, and Oliver Reed Book by Robert Sellers. I just bought it and it's fascinating!

[@RayCurrin75]

@@carathebaker thanks for info, and I have already read that very book, it certainly was fascinating and hilarious 😂

[@JakeTSnake7]

First time I saw him not as Dumbledore or Marcus Aurelius. Dude was wild.

[@Cybernetic800]

The Irish are elite at storytelling

[@glapots]

I'm Irish and I can't tell a story to save my life 🤣

[@patrickscottwalsh]

@@glapots just save a fart when it might work well

[@Conda17]

The english taught them how to

[@ben-ow3ow]

@@Conda17 my hole. telling stories in monasteries long before the English landed.

[@Conda17]

@@ben-ow3ow - you didn’t have any monasteries before the English enlightened you.

[@Orangeflava]

Legendary drinker. Cheers in heaven! 🍻

[@sunshine3914]

*drinkers

[@alex0589]

Such chaotic energy, imagine having to wrangle him on set, the poor PAs...

[@mcgurkryans]

And this is when he’s 70 years old. Imagine him at 30

[@woodley91406]

He was so good in 'The Wild Geese' alongside Roger Moore and Richard Burton.

[@teresafoster5818]

A Classic Richard Harris story. I lived in Ireland in the 1980's and I became great friends with a Jesuit Priest in Limerick who was Richard Harris's 1st cousin, (Fr. Paddy was a couple of years older). Whenever Richard was in Limerick they would visit and Richard gave Fr. Paddy the exact same salutation, "Paddy are ye praying for me you're my only hope of getting into Heaven". Fr. Kelly lived to 99 so I think it is safe to say Richard made it in to Heaven.

[@randyschwaggins]

No wonder Jared Harris is one of the best screen actors around today

[@telephonic]

This, so good in Chernobyl and again recently in Foundation.

[@erock81487]

Wow. TIL... how did I not know this?

[@GRAFFDEMON]

He's so good in The Terror.

[@peterkastellanos7475]

McCarthers Park song by Richard Harris is one of the best

[@baldyconnolly8577]

Always loved Richard Harris's anecdotes. Legend.

[@ZicoPestalozzi]

I didn't know dumbledore have such quick wits

[@barra6709]

Best story teller you can think of.

[@Rheinmeister09]

Love the story from the Irish Late Late show when he is living in London with his wife and he goes out to get the newspaper and goes to Dublin for it. He's gone missing for a few days and his brother eventually calls him and tells him he needs to get home because his wife is ready to divorce him. So he arrives back to London rings the doorbell at 3 in the morning because he can't find the key and he could tell from the way she was walking down the stairs that she fuming and when she does answer the doorbell his response is "why didn't you pay the ransom". Well worth checking it out just to hear him tell the story. He was such a great storyteller

[@VroodenTheGreat]

"They had kegs in the white house for the first time ever. The police showed up at 2 in the morning and shut us down. It was a good time."

[@KOB923]

I normally loathe it when people speak in the third person, but I was absolutely enthralled by "Harris" here.

[@centozo]

The man was a legend. He had so much life left in him, we went before it was his time.

[@zakdalakishvili2133]

What an absolute legend.

[@_aworldthatspoke950]

Should I kill myself

[@_aworldthatspoke950]

@Bob Davidson why?

[@kaseryn]

Great work Team Coco for getting these legendary interviews to us in such nice hd quality. Really takes you back. Keep em coming!

[@SKRUBL0RD]

he will always be the only dumbledore to me and seeing this after those is just so delightful to reinforce was a tremendous actor he truly was.

[@toddsalkowski448]

This is beyond awesome!! Great stories and his pure joy in telling them is absolutely riveting!

[@michaeldwatkins_]

Just another class of storyteller. He's surely one of the best ever.

[@lainerichardson9533]

He was the original Dumbledore but passed away and Michael Gambon took his place.

[@rociobany290]

Hysterical & what a gem of guy he was ... I bet they are all enjoying times together still up there !! 🌹🎭💟

[@SharksSeanOSullivanSharkey]

A natural entertainer..The Irish are born story tellers..I could listen to him for hours❤

[@LastlyMore]

This is the father of Jared Harris. Also a brilliant actor himself.

[@jimmytumbles9640]

Did not know that, thank you sir.

[@CapraDemon101]

Jared is pure gold in everything he does. Very versatile. 👌

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@CapraDemon101 And Daddy was not?

[@CapraDemon101]

@@dallesamllhals9161 urgh, here's the cancer

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@CapraDemon101 Erh!? So "god-like202" has Daddy issues?

[@romeks612]

I could listen to Master Richard Harris forever...His stories ...His life.

[@Noname-xi7xi]

Simply brilliant, incredible actor and very funny man, togheter with Peter O'Toole they are amazing in telling stories.

[@KurtI2525]

I like that what Harris is saying, is that on most nights, they performed the second act drunk. Or, since they’re both legendary drinkers, *somewhat* drunk.

[@Njbear7453]

Maybe with a very strong ... buzz ? Lol

[@mangasky7]

Back when actors were more interesting and exciting than the characters they portrayed.

[@invisiblec0la]

hgkrrrrrrrrrr dhrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@sunshine3914]

If only we had all carried cameras back then....

[@doctorthirteen5499]

If by interesting you mean miserable drunks.

[@dabidibup]

@@doctorthirteen5499 Yes. Now most drinking is done by frat boys and not depressed introverts

[@AndyP998]

Back when actors were natural and didnt pretend to be some shining example

[@user-qt1bq5bw6i]

What a gem! What a storyteller! What an actor! Bravo!

[@jillkjv3816]

I looked up who the lead actor playing Macbeth was in that production Richard mentioned. He said he hated him and called him a racist so I was curious who it could be. It's listed on a theater archive site as Glynn Edwards. He was in the Minder Brit TV show and the film Zulu. The play was in 1957 at the Theater Royale at Stratford East. Then did more research on the name of the play that Richard did with Peter at the Old Vic Theater. He didn't mention the title. It was called The Pier and ran from 1957 - 1958.

[@jshaers96]

Edwards was Dave the barman in Minder. He was also in Get Carter and was stabbed to death by Michael Caine.

[@michaelgibson4705]

Hard to believe GlynnEdwards was the offending actor.Never a lead actor a good supporting actor.perhaps the ego of a younger man

[@22GAURA]

Not "Dave" surely !!!!!!!

[@margaretpeabody243]

The two Irish lads imbibed hilariously in drinking stories and fun.

[@georgebarnes8163]

Peter is British not Irish.

[@margaretpeabody243]

@@georgebarnes8163 thanks for setting me straight.

[@YThdhs]

​@@georgebarnes8163 Peters dad is irish

[@georgebarnes8163]

and?@@YThdhs

[@christophercrowley7574]

Legend, he's from my home town statue of him as Camelot gotta love it

[@chrisarseneault5617]

The stories of Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole are priceless!

[@therabidscorpion]

I love how Richard looks like he was asked last minute to come by the show and just threw on whatever he had handy.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Not many like Richard Harris. Thanks for posting this.

[@pistol275]

Richard Harris, the OG Prof. Dumbledore! The only Dumbledore who stayed true to the Dumbledore as described by JK Rowling in the books. Richard Harris, the only man I'll think of as Dumbledore when I'll read the books again.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

Harris was the Real Deal ... What a Character ! Cheers Richard 🍻

[@jamesfrancismchalejr7944]

Harris,O' Tool & Burton !! They lived & loved to the fullest measure a man can do! I miss them all.

[@jimharkins6257]

Fantastic!!! I Love Harris and his acting lot. O'Toole and Burton.

[@MikelGCinema]

A fascinating human being and a wonderful actor, a few years after this interview, he passed away.

[@DigiRangerScott]

Oh this is PRE-Harry Potter, wow. Admittedly, there wasn’t that much time in the HP era, he was probably already getting too ill, but it’s been 20 years and this is the first time I’m hearing him outside of Dumbledore. The first time I’m hearing his real voice

[@joansmith69]

Oh god, that made feel really old all of a sudden :(

[@atomiswave2]

OMG this legendary actor with a long and storied career , and your only reference is talking about a lowly (slightly satanic) kids movie?

[@TheFrozenblaze_]

He was great in The Count of Monte Cristo, too.

[@bastiaan4129]

Slightly Satantic is about the best recommendation a movie can get.

[@joansmith69]

@@atomiswave2 How is Harry Potter slightly satanic?

[@conorfurlong]

Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.

[@nickstoli]

O'Toole told this story of him and, I believe, Harris. They returned to Harris' fifth floor apartment inebriated and hungry. Harris went to the fridge looking for food. All he had was a frozen pork chop. He was so angry, he threw it out the window. The next day, on their way to the bus stop, they walked past a dead cat with an unfrozen pork chop on top of it.

[@sarahakm]

One story I heard dealt with O'Toole and Burton. They were watching a play that O'Toole said was fantastic. As they're watching it, O'Toole is giving Burton commentary about it. Then it gets to a certain scene in which O'Toole says "Oh and here's the part I come in" as they keep sitting in the audience XD.

[@helenaEFFERVESCENC3]

OH NO 😢😢😢 but that’s still kind of hilarious. Am I wrong for laughing? Maybe.

[@raysutton2310]

Live in Denver, Co but born in essex, lived in Bristol for 13 years, one of the things I miss is the Old Vic

[@deanfranz]

Dude, I wanna watch some of Harris' films and other stuff just based on this interview! Absolutely fun! Thanks, Team Coco!

[@Njbear7453]

Stop everything you’re doing and go watch major Dundee !

[@williamstolley2165]

He was the last one of that trio and what stories... so glad they're preserved this way to enjoy for other generations to appreciate.

[@meditationmountainbyrishab919]

Extraordinary Extraordinary actor and what a story narrater!!!

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

I loved every story he told and was sad when there were only 3 of them! I could have listened for hours to Richard's escapades! All would have me laughing and listening to every word! RIP RH!

[@Hananotaka]

I saw this when it first aired, and “Good God! Harris is drunk!” has lived rent free in my head for 26 years.

[@ryanbanks4265]

I could listen to his stories for hours!

[@jonnnyren6245]

Two Irish brothers separated at birth, Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole.

[@williamroberts6803]

He is the best. One of my very favorite actors.

[@shayanm.t2333]

The Glory times when interviews weren't trying to be funny. but were funny.

[@jeffreylockhart8292]

So great and legendary stories ! Entertaining

[@seamuswarren]

“She’s fine!” 😂

[@davehorton1486]

He was one of the Best Actors in the world. He Played Cromwell Perfectly. I`d love to drink some Beer with him and listen to him all Night, great Story teller.

[@MrAtaripitbull]

Talk about a true legendary actor and a real man !

[@jmartin4955]

I will never forget him as King Arthur!

[@kathleenwise1400]

Love his joyfulness

[@KurtI2525]

What a guy. Would loved to have told him how much I liked him and his work. Maybe one day, I’ll get that chance with Conan.

[@floorlamp]

He was the best, I love hearing his stories that involve Peter O'Toole and him.

[@user-ih9dg3uz5y]

Both were ham actors and drunks

[@BC99]

What a great storyteller.

[@spudmurphy3836]

Everyone has a life... Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole LIVED LIFE! And believe me, there's a major difference!

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

What brilliant stories…laughed until I had tears🇨🇦

[@JPMJPM]

Wow! What a delightful man!

[@moistbuttmonkey]

He was Great, in so many films.

[@Sidecontrol1234]

I worked 2-3 years in an irish bar and club and an irishman will never leave their drink until it's finished.

[@dhalsim-1]

With the prices they charge in Ireland I'm not surprised

[@StinsonSwarley]

Why am I attracted to him?? He's an old man, but so youthful and charming. A great storyteller. Also I can't believe I watched the whole interview and only after reading the comments I realized he was Dumbledore!

[@maryfitzpatrick2738]

I love Richard Harris !!

[@jesseruhland2983]

I have no idea who this guy is, but I love him.

[@nealrutgerskid]

Wow.. his story telling ability is breathtaking.