Charles was first my teacher at the Burt Reynolds' Institute for Theatre Training in Jupiter, Florida and then later he was my supporter and friend. He was the funniest human being who ever lived. He lit up a room and had me and my fellow apprentices rolling on the floor with nearly everything he said or did. I left Charles and the program in 1990 and because of what he taught me, I have worked on and off-Broadway in musical comedies (thousands of performances) since 1995. I have 2 performances today, in fact, as the (older) comic in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. I miss him every day, and I'm happy to see this vid and read all the comments. Years ago, when Charles was working on his one man show, he invited me over to the house on Gloaming Way (now demolished, ps, for some awful modern box) to watch a video of Life of Reilley. The show was running close to 4 hours! He did cut it down later. Anyway, when I left he gave me that VHS tape which I still have somewhere. I ought to get it transferred as it would have cut material. Lastly, I used to go out with him on his boat in Marina del Rey and he would make dinner and then make me stay up all night watching Louise Reiner films. I would get sleepy and he would yell at me to wake up. He would get perturbed if I had to pee and after the 2nd time he screamed (in a quiet marina, mind you, in the middle of the night) "I havent had to pee since 1947!!!!!!!!" It would be like 3:30 am. He was the best. Charles was Johnny Carson's guest over a hundred times. Reason: they would have guests cancel at the last minute. Literally last minute. Producers knew Charles could have 10 stories loaded and ready to tell in 10 minutes. So they'd call and he jump in the car down through Coldwater Canyon and be ready to go and be FUNNY in no time. Reliably hysterical on the spot. Johnny trusted him to deliver and he always did. Thus all those appearances even if he didn't have anything to promote.

Charles was everywhere on TV in the 60s and 70s and so entertaining in anything he did. Thanks Matt for covering yet another true original who left his mark on history and our memories.

I absolutely adored Charles Nelson Reilly as a kid. Seeing an adult being silly was so enlightening and heartwarming... and comforting. It is great to hear that he was such an amazing person off-screen, too.

Charles was good friends with my mother and uncle when they were kids in Hartford. My grandmother who ran the Lenox Theater gave him encouragement when he was a teenager with a miserable home life. He speaks of them at length in "Life of Reilly". And when my uncle died, it was Charles who called my mother to break the news.

Matt, you did a great job. Whenever Charles Nelson Reilly was booked on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, you KNEW it was going to be a good time. The man could really tell a funny story. I'm sorry that he had such a rotten childhood, but I'm so glad that he rose above it and believed in himself. He was such a talented, unique individual.

I love him. Knowing what his early life was like, it warms my heart that he found so much success later on.

Charles' story goes to show how important have a good group of friends is - all of his friends went out of their way to help him have the opportunities he wanted, and it warms my heart that he had people around him who truly wanted the best for him.

I feel so lucky to have grown up watching Match Game. There'll never be anything else like it, and Charles was one big reason why.

I will never forget meeting Mr. Reilly. 1970, a car load of teenage friends driving the streets of Hollywood. We lived 50 miles away and spending an afternoon seeing the sites was a cheap way to kill time, LOL, gas was only 27 cents a gallon. We stoped at a red light and a unique vintage car stopped next to us. One of the guys said hay look at that cool car......we all looked and then I said, look the driver is Charles Nelson Reilly. He saw us and rolled down the window and did his famous giggle and said "yes boys, it's me the big name star" not in a boastful way, but in his playful kidding charm. He asked "seen any other famous people today?" We were No!.... He did his giggle once again and tipped his hat and said sorry, the lights green, gotta go. We waved and off he went. We saw stars often, as we traveled to this area a couple times a month, but Mr. Reilly was one of the few that seem to enjoy a brief interaction with his fans.

He was awesome. I loved his nervous laugh. What a character. The Ghost and Mrs Muir would not have been the same without him.

Charles Nelson Reilly was a treasure. I'm surprised you didn't mention his partner, at least in passing. A successful career is great, but being able to settle down with a loved one is also a great thing. Particularly, I would think, for someone who had such a rough family life in the beginning.

What a true icon for the gay community (if not for all people in general)! He had nothing to sail on...the odds were 100% against him! He never got the appreciation he deserved either. After paving the way for gay actors in showbiz, most of the gay community would not even know who he was today (which says a lot about the gay community today unfortunately). Thank you so much for this very sincere tribute to one of the most underappreciated men in showbiz history!

Charles Nelson Reilly was a hoot to watch. Always did enjoy his comedy. RIP Charles Nelson Reilly 🙏

Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man The kind of man you'd never disrespect He stood eight feet tall, wore glasses, And had a third nipple on the back of his neck He ate his own weight in coal And excreted diamonds everyday He could throw you down a flight of stairs, But you still would love him anyway --"CNR", Weird Al Yankovic

Wow, Matt, this presentation was fabulous. Thank you! I laughed out loud when Charles exclaimed, "who do I have to f*ck to get OFF tv?"

Matt, you present some of the kindest and most sensitive biographies I've seen. You often present the stories of people and issues I barely remember from my childhood, because i couldnt see them. I'm learning a secret history of the world that I couldn't see as a child, and I just love that. You bring me joy and sometimes sadness, it the best way. Thank you. Keep doing this!

I heard about the big circus fire. My mother-in-law (way before she was even a mother) was supposed to go to the circus that day but instead went to meet a couple of boys with her girlfriend. Her father went looking for her in all the burning chaos and went home weeping, thinking she was missing or dead. Then she bopped in, as happy as a clam. She would have gotten in trouble but her parents were just happy she was alive.

He is one of my childhood heroes. I love everything he did. To me he was simply just fun.

He was a strong man. Someone of a lesser character would not have survived. RIP, dear Charles.

Wow, I had NO idea that Charles was in that big top fire. I studied that case extensively several years ago, and the horror that haunted survivors for the rest of their lives. That was a fascinating tidbit, Matt, thanks!

My Two encounters with CNR - My first trip to New York, we got a reservation for Sardis. We got there just in time for a room full of celebs to sing Happy Birthday to Charles. He was sweet and funny and everyone apparently adored him. The next time we met was years later when he was hired to direct a show at the theatre I worked at in Dallas Texas, Theatre Three. He was gracious and so talented! What a guy!

His guest role on X-Files was magnificent. Jose Chung looks and sounds like Charles but he's the measured, patient, and sane one against a cavalcade of believers and lunatics. They just let the camera pause on him and Gillian Anderson sharing looks. His wistful monologue over the ending. It was such an inspired use of his talents and you feel how much delight went into making the episode.

I grew up during the heyday of Charles Nelson Reilly and adore him. I'm so grateful to you for this biography, but a bit saddened to find how much such a brilliant talent had to struggle to make it.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is fantastic on a lot of levels. The show wouldn't be the same without him. Impossible

Thanks for the story. I remember seeing him almost everyday on TV when I was a kid. Also thank you so very much for the tidbit about the fears of raising sissies. This harmful attitude affected many boys and young men my father's age, both gay and straight. You've given me an insight into my grandfather that I never expected.

I'm so glad I secured a copy of the DVD set, "The Life of Reilly" which includes a 3 hour recording of his autobiographical show.

I remember that Johnny Carson would have Charles as a guest on The Tonight Show, even when he had nothing to promote. Charles was just so entertaining, and Johnny was in stitches no matter what Charles said.

Reilly’s star turn on Xfiles is so incredibly beloved in that fandom. It’s a favorite episode and he was perfect in it.

I had the biggest grin, seeing you were doing a video on Charles Nelson Reilly. Thanks to KZfaq, I've been watching endless episodes of Match Game. His banter with Brett Sommers is just side-splitting. What a wonderful tonic he was!

When I was a kid I was fascinated by the Natalie Wood types, going on staged dates or even being a married beard. It was one of those things I’d sit there and think “if I were around back then, I’d totally sign on to be someone’s beard. There was a brief moment I wondered if I was just imagining being a performative ally, but then it turned out I was just asexual and the idea of getting the perks of a marriage without having to do the rest of it sounded lovely 😅

I was lucky enough to be one of Charles's students in Burbank. He was a great teacher and everyone adored him. He inspired so many people.

I can't imagine my childhood without this man popping up on every tv show there was!

I had the great fortune to see Life Of Reilly's final tour and talk to Charles after the show. He was a stealthy formative part of my childhood (born 1970, the Year of Charles Nelson Reilly.) While I didn't see the Broadway work that made him famous, it came through in his unstoppable presence on TV game shows, talk shows, and sitcoms. It's amazing that even 1970s culture held space for his warm, gleefully unapologetic non traditionally masculine self. I'm grateful he pushed past the concerned parents and gave us a bigger, freer, more joyful canvas for what men could be.

CNR was my favorite Match Game celeb. Nipsey Russell was a close second but he wasn't always on the show. Anyhow, I clearly remember watching one time when my brother, maybe about age 8, shouted "fa@@ot" at the TV when CNR was bantering with Bret Somer. My mother gave him a dressing down and told him she didn't care who or what someone was, he better never let her hear him calling someone out of their name like that again. For all the disfunction and pain in my childhood, most caused by my mother, I do have to give credit where it's due. She taught us complete acceptance of folks who are "different" (unless it was her own family but that's a story for another time).

Ohh, I forgot he was in the “Bic Banana” commercials! I loved him in those! ❤❤

I think he showed an honesty and vulnerability that made him so relatable. I'd love to know the reaction of his family and of the taunters in his neighborhood to his show business success (actually, when you have that many friends and that much respect among your peers - you are already a success). I hope he knew how much he touched people's hearts.

I had no idea Charles survived the Hartford Circus Fire...wow I love this channel.

Along with Jonathan Harris, Monti Rock III, Charles was a touchstone growing up. Thanks for the memories, and inspiration Mr. Reilly.

Good lord … that laugh of his is iconic! It should be registered with The Smithsonian as a national treasure. I’m dead serious. Everywhere you turned I the ‘70s he was there. And anybody who was alive then will instantly recognize that laugh. It truly was ubiquitous and was a staple of American life. This was a crazy but ultimately very heartwarming story. 2 Thumbs Way Up!

CNR was a very talented man. I miss him, great actor, director and comedian. Loved his smile. ❤️🙏☮️

As an Australian, I've never heard of this guy, but once again this was a fantastic insight into someone I would not have known about otherwise. Cheers!

This was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful human. CNR was an absolute GEM; one of the funniest people ever. Insanely talented.. a comic's comic.. and we loved him in everything he ever did. (I guess you showed THEM, Mr. Reilly!)

Charles used to do his grocery shopping at The Boys Market grocery store in Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles) where I was a box boy while in high school. One of the managers of the store was a very cool, and very gay and friends with Charles. The two of them would chat like a couple of old hens. It was very funny. Charles was a very nice and very funny man. I spoke with him a few times.

Charles was the queer voice I needed to hear growing up. it helped me accept being queer when I saw how accepted he finally was in television and film.

Pretty sure the main evidence my parents had that I was gay was how I adored Charles Nelson Reilly on "Match Game."

I remember CNR when I was growing and struggling with my sexuality as a homosexual pre-teen. I remember having an inexplicable sense of recognition and found him to be, in a word, a "hoot". RIP Charles.

I’ve always LOVED Charles. His camp was turned up to 11 and I adore it. Jose Chungs from Outer Space is the HANDS DOWN THE BEST EPISODE of the X-Files. I still watch old episodes of Match Game when they’re on. They all seem so drunk and seem like they’re having a blast.

Oh how I loved watching him on TV. I can only imagine how great he was live on stage! He was a treasure.

I remember this guy from Lidsville and countless other shows, seems like a class act, and a much more talented actor than you'd initially realize, God bless him.

HE PLAYED THE DIRTY BUBBLE ON SPONGEBOB????? God what a king.

wow, you did a fantastic job with his bio!

Even though some of Charles Nelson Reilly's roles were silly, he succeeded in making the audience laugh. The world can be a scary and dangerous place. To help people forget themselves and indulge in honest, healthy laughter is such a wonderful gift. Even in death, Charles is with us making us laugh. A friend and I watched Jose Chung's "From Outer Space" recently and rolled with laughter at Charles' deadpan delivery. He and his characters are gifts that keep on giving, even after death.

"You could spit at the wind, or tug at Superman's cape but Lord knows you don't mess around with CNR" - werid Al

CNR was a HUGE part of my childhood. Thanks for uploading!

I grew up with Charles on TV all through the 60's and 70's. I had no idea! What the man endured . . . respect! This incredibly good tribute really opened my eyes. I am a better person for watching it. Thanks.

I have loved Charles Nelson Reilly my whole life. His story is a tale of talent, persistence, strength and pure honesty. What a crime that prejudice and cowardice played such a role in his early life. I wish I could hug him. Burt Reynolds was not only a great friend but a visionary. Love to you CNR!

Moral of the Story: Natalie Wood was a great wingwoman.

it's so nice to hear how sweet and kind he was because I've always loved him!

He was such a big part of my childhood. He was on so many TV shows and me and my grandmother watched him on Match Game.

My mom had gay friends so I learned to not be judgmental. She loved Charles. He was always funny and professional.

Charles Nelson Reilly won the Tour de France with two flat tires and a missing chain

I always loved Charles Nelson Reilly. My first exposure to him was in Lidsville and I've been a fan ever since. Matt, love the shirt!

This is one of the most personally inspirational paths to a career I've ever seen, thank you so much for putting this video together. I'm trying to do things in kind of a weird sideways way too, and to know and see that the struggle and stress and pain are just part of the journey, and that there's a chance it really can end up with such a beautiful career and legacy fills me with hope. Your videos are lovely and I look forward to them every time I have the chance to really sit down and watch and learn! Thank you for your work!

Thank you for posting this. :) Much appreciated.

This is amazing - I first watched Reilly on the game shows that my grandmother always watched when I was very young - he was frequently on Hollywood Squares, wasn't he? But I had no idea who he was or why he was given equal billing with other stars I'd previously heard of. Then I got a little older and stopped watching so much TV, and was then hardly aware of him at all, except as a childhood memory who occasionally popped up in minor roles elsewhere. I assumed he was never anything but a minor character actor and comedian. And it never occurred to me that he might be queer. So I'm happy to find out so much more about him. Also: I just discovered a similar British gay comic actor - Kenny Everett - whom I'd never heard of before yesterday. A video about Everett would be quite interesting. He's apparently universally known in the UK.

Charles is also the subject of "CNR," one of Weird Al Yankovic's very best pastiches. It's a string of "true" facts about him in the style of the White Stripes!

I grew up watching Charles on t.v., it's amazing to me that he was told he would never succeed there! Thanks so much for such a thoughtful biography about him Matt, it's wonderful to know his difficult life journey eventually led to happiness and success.

You hit it out of the park again! 💕

A lovely tribute. Well done! And thank you.

I love watching him on Match Game, he’s one of my favorites. Also he was on Tattletales with Elizabeth Allen. Thanks for posting this video about him! His career and life is fascinating to me. I’d love a video about Fannie Flagg as well!

Match Game keeps showing on one of the local stations and I had never really seen CNR before. I recognized other actors, especially the MASH folks, because I grew up watching those reruns and was obsessed with MASH. But I could tell how much CNR seemed to really enjoy being around his colleagues and how well he interacted with the contestants. Truly, a man before his time. ❤

Thank you so much for this and for the link to the stage show. It was amazing and without you I would have never seen it 🙂 Thanks again.

CNR was a mainstay for me on gameshow network. His sass was incredible, even 30 years later. Truly Scrumtrulescent!

It's funny that you mention Jonathan Harris at the end, because when you were talking about how CNR turned a one-off pilot role in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir into a regular character I immediately thought of Dr. Smith in Lost in Space, who I've heard was supposed to be a one-episode character but Jonathan's brilliant performance turned it into a bigger character than the intended lead (Guy Williams)!

Amazing! Thank you for creating and sharing.

I met Charles on his birthday. I wished him a happy birthday 🥳!!! I then relaxed and saw his one man show in the Village. He was wonderful of course!

I'm not gay, but I'm defiantly a weird sissy so Charles is one of my heroes.

Great video, Matt. It brought back many fond memories. Charles was a great example of the power of being who you are and the courage and fortitude it takes to do so. Also, thanks for leaving in your singular hijink blooper, very spontaneous and funny. 😉😄 ☮

He was such a presence on television through my childhood. I'm glad he able to be who he was.

Fantastic video! Thank you.

Matt, I've been sick with a horrible case of COVID that turned into Pneumonia, and I have been SO BORED..until today when I found your channel🙌🙌🙌 Thank you for making such thorough, unique and interesting content. You definitely got a new sub in me 💯

Thank you, I grew up watching a lot of Charles Nelson Reilly. I was so glad to learn that he had the support of friends and co-stars throughout his career. One quibble: the photo you show for Vincent J. Donehue is actually Ralph Bellamy as F.D.R. in _Sunrise at Campobello_ which was directed by Donehue.

It is so refreshing to see someone do a narration who is intelligent and very well spoken for extended takes. Keep up the good work. Dennis

Excellent video. I look forward to reading your book.

As a kid, I didn't appreciate him. Now I realize how great he was.

God bless Charles Nelson Riley. A national treasure.

Thank you Matt for doing this, may the great Charles Nelson Reilly always be remembered!

What an original personality Mr. Reilly was. Thank you so much!

Was always entertained by him in his later years. Never knew of his early struggles. 😮 Great video 😊

That was again such a touching and motivational life story! I needed that right now!

Thank you for these videos.

The 'Die fledermaus" pic got you a fan for life. Another great video 📸

I first saw him on "Ghost and Mrs. Muir" when I was a kid and loved him. Then I didn't really see him again until "The X Files," and he was great in that. I think that was the role that made me see how truly competent he was.

Such a comedic genius 💙

Great video. CNR always fascinated me

That was a fantastic video! thank you for sharing!!

I love these videos. You give us GREAT details that may still be unknown to lots of people. Charles Nelson Reilly was my FAVORITE person on the old Match Game shows and the SOLE reason that a kid liked watching a game show. Then there was Paul Lynde. He made EVERYTHING he was in/on better and worth watching. I was too young, then, to know what gay was and I didn't care about it, once I was older and it came out about them being gay. I loved them for who they were, funny, comedic geniuses, entertaining, and as real as they could be and still protect their personal lives... We could use more people, like them, on screen today.

I grew up watching all of the Sid & Marty Kroft shows - including Lidsville. He was the kooky magician bad guy in the show. Very strange show, but I would watch it along with Pufnstuf and the Bugaloos. :)

Ty for making this tribute to Charles. I had no idea that Charles had been in so many hit musicals and TV shows.

Matt I'm going to make sure we order copies of your book for my bookstore I help run. CONGRATS!