Charles Nelson Reilly died yesterday from pneumonia at the age of 76. Most of us remember him from Match Game, or Hollywood Squares, or Lidsville, but his was a talent far deeper than most knew. I met him once, very briefly, while helping with auditions at the Burt Reynold's Dinner Theatre. I handed him a stack of paperwork, and he said, "Thank you, honey." I was 19 or 20, and while some might have been freaked by such a comment, coming from him it seemed quite complimentary. So much so that the moment has stayed in my memory for more than two decades. There are others who frequent this little corner who knew him better. PIKARESQUE wrote a lovely eulogy, and if any others of you who knew him wish to post something here, please feel free. Here is a link to a pretty good, brief bio of this gentle, largely unsung giant.
Charles Nelson Reilly
Rest well, sir. I wish I had known you better.
Marius
2 comments:
I was also very sad when I heard the news. I knew him in the early days at BRDT. He was always so UP!
Will also remember how he loved to cook for everybody. I used to have a 3/4 length black cape made out of sweatshirt fleece. He loved it & would refer to me as "the cape" he he he (always loved that laugh).
We'll miss you Chuck.
My husband and I were huge fans and will miss him terribly.
he also starred in the most Fabulous of X-files epsidoes, "Jose Chung's From Outer Space."
RIP, dear man....
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