When I was twelve years old, and mind you this was in the 1990's, I became completely obsessed with Russ Tamblyn and developed a huge crush on him. I watched so many of his movies. I found his agency address at my local library and wrote him a fan letter. He sent me back an autographed picture, which I still have. It knocked out my 12 year old heart. My mother and I literally gasped when we saw the envelope, "Russ Tamblyn!!" It still means so much to me that he sent me that. I'm so glad to see he is still awesome.

I fell in love with Russ watching Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, when I was 13. I'm still in love.

Am I the only one impressed that this 86-year-old man is curled up in his chair during this interview??

What a wonderful and charming interview. I was born in 1954 so I remember all his great films when he was at the very height of career. In 1961 when I was just 7 years old I was utterly mesmerized by him as Riff in West Side Story. Incredibly cruel twist of bad fate that his career went dead in the water after that BRILLIANT performance! He wound up basically unemployable and could not get a job. I was a little kid living in Pacific Palisades in the 1960's - he mentioned in the interview that he was "living in a huge house but unhappy in Pacific Palisades". I vividly remember SEEING HIM in the supermarket Hughes Market on Sunset Blvd in downtown Pacific Palisades in the produce aisle when I was in grammar school and it was quite a thrill for a little kid to see my childhood idol. So he sold that big mansion in Pacific Palisades and moved to hippie-ville Topanga Canyon and started his new career as an artist - he was close friends with Neil Young who also lived in Pacific Palisades. Unfortunately, he started hanging out with people like Dennis Hopper and got completely addicted to drugs alcohol which nearly ruined his life - at one point he was destitute, scraping by on unemployment benefits. But fortunately, he got clean and sober and redeemed himself. Tonight I was streaming the 1961 West Side Story and was mesmerized by his performance - then watched lots of you tube videos with clips from his greatest films - brilliant dance scene in Fastest Gun in the West where he is dancing on top of two shovels holding onto the handles - the same way a ballerina would dance on pointe! This is a fantastic dance sequence! 7 Brides for 7 Brothers was probably his most brilliant role right next to West Side Story - what a shame that Hollywood turned their back on him right at the height of his youth = how could anyone as talented as he was go from international fame in West Side Story to being unemployable in the entertainment industry? What a shame - he had such phenomenal talent. I was very surprised in this interview when he said he really was NOT that good of a dancer and had no real formal training but relied on his skill as an acrobat to make his way through all those brilliant Hollywood musical dance numbers! He was a gifted actor and I really cannot fathom how the entertainment industry turned their back on such a great talent at the very height of his youth. That is common with child stars - many wind up with their careers over by the time they are in their 20s. Great to see him at a ripe old age in his 80s and sharp as a tack!

Humble dude considering his enormous talent. No one can play the head of the Jets like Tamblyn did!

That is the youngest 86 year old man I ever seen in my entire life.

Most people probably liked Russ in West Side Story. I liked him in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He still looks good!

his charisma was a huge part of WSS appeal. Fantastic actor/dancer

Thank you for doing a story on Russ Tamblyn, he is an incredible talent.

I love how he is sitting in a yoga pose during the interview.

I'll be surfing him on KZfaq for the next hour. Nice to see he's still cool

Russ Tamblyn was always one of my musical favorites. Wonderful to see Russ in this interview. Best wishes to him and his family.❤️

Guy was an athlete. I loved watching him dancing on VHS movies when I was a kid, 7 Brides and all of his amazing films ❤

He looks young and healthy for his age.

being able to say "I was (and still am) the leader of the Jets in West Side Story" is all the street cred anybody could ever need in life

WHEN YOU'RE A JET YOU'RE A JET ALL THE WAY!

Thought I was seeing him for the first time on Sunday morning. Little did I know how many times I had fallen in love with him in his movies. The first time I saw him was in West Side Story, he was great. Im soo glad that he mother didnt say anything until he got down from the telephone pole! LOL

"West Side Story" ... 1961!!! 2021... 86!!! DANG! Carry on young man... says a 71 year old fan! Best wishes, health, joy and wellbeing...

Russ held his own against dancing heavyweights Marc Platt, Matt Mattox, Jacques d'Amboise, and the unbelievable Tommy Rall in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." It was a miracle Russ didn't impale himself with that axe.

Russ Tamblyn you'll always be the best. Thank you for all the great entertainment over the years and turning down the role of Gilligan's Island. Good move, Good Luck and God Bless. 🙏

He looks and acts way younger than 86 and his attitude is absolutely refreshing! I've always enjoyed the "Supporting Actors"...both Male and Female! Their "Jobs" seem that much more difficult and they seem to Deliver The Goods in the end! Great Interview!

He’s what you’d call an interesting person.

I love how Quentin Tarantino paid "homage" to him in the credits of one of his films. Russ appeared in "Son of a Gunfighter." His daughter Amber was in the film, and in the closing credits she is credited for portraying the "Daughter of the Son of a Gunfighter."

One of the recognizable faces in Cinema history. His skills were otherworldly

Terrific segment --- what a talent Russ is!

Love Russ Tamblyn. And he doesn’t look 86!

*Russ Tamblyn was so exceptional as Riff in West Side Story. Oh my God. There was just nobody like that character. Riff was the leader of the Jets and when he died in the movie, everyone I know that went to see the movie, kept saying after he died, that they wondered what Riff would have thought of everything going on like the death of Tony and Bernardo. He made the movie so much better. He just really stood out by his incredible remarkable acting, singing, dancing and gymnastics skills. What a combination of massive talent. And also, all the girls had a crush on Russ, and they said he was going to be the next James Dean.*

Wow!!!! I didn't know he and Kumi Mizuno were still around!!! Watching them in my fav monster movie ever "War of The Gargantuas" damn, that movie is 51 years old!!! US release from 1970

One of the best dancers EVER

Aww 😊 love ❤️ Russ Tamblyn’s work -born talented!! Glad he’s doing better after his open heart ❤️ surgery👍🙏

Star of one of the greatest movies of all time. West Side Story changed my life at the age of 12, and forever more, it was the guy in the tee shirt and jeans with attitude who stole my heart. So glad to see he is still around.

I would always remember Russ Tamblyn in "War of the Gargantuas."

Gosh! When WSS was rereleased in 1968 I went to the movie theater to see it for the first time. In the Prologue when there’s that tight shot of Riff, snapping his fingers, that was it. I was instantly in love! I can’t even give an estimate of how many times I’ve seen WEST SIDE STORY. But no musical film will ever top it in my opinion! Seeing so many more of Russ’s earlier films after that his talent was always just so spectacular.

What a life well lived!! Loved ALL his teenage movies and didn't even know it was him. Adore his daughter!!! So talented! Now I understand her even deeper.

He had a nice role in Twin Peaks the David Lynch Series in the early 90s. Ironically Richard Beemer his Buddy in West Side Story who played Tony was in that same series.

Fantastic talented man. Great personality and star.

Great clip. His nephew was a terrific and supportive boss for me for many years at a tech company I worked at. The Tamblyns all just seem like cool and talented people. Big fan of Amber's work also.

Class act!! Love Russ Tamblyn!

❤ West Side Story was when i first became aware of Russ Tamblyn. Loved him ever since, I remember him in The Long Ships

Tamblyn proved he could take direction and immerse himself in a role. His Norman Page in "Peyton Place" won him an academy award nomination.

What a great guy to have seen in all these movies and yes he's still very freaking cool

Wow Great Actor Great and fond movies Thanks for reporting Love his art work They are Unique

i met Russ Tamblyn at a 2014 autograph show. Very nice guy! Actually, the very first movie that I saw of his (which WAS mentioned in this segment), was "War of the Gargantuas", which played plenty on LA T.V. back in the day!

Just WOW. Luv Russ Tamblyn

Russ Tamblyn is unbelievable I grew up listening to the Tom Thumb album sound soundtrack for West Side Story with my aunt when I was 8 years old everything I've seen he does is Unforgettable thank you so much Russ Tamblyn for all the years you've given us

Russ you are the ultimate star. I was watching Seven Brides a few days ago (for the 1000th time) and was still mesmerized by your dancing. I remembered watching West Side Story with my sister the first time it came on TV in the 60s and thinking you were awesome (and imitating you for weeks). Peyton Place … Tom Thumb … everything you did is my favorite. You will always be the biggest star to me!

Live long and well, Mr. Tamblyn.

Great story ❤️

I Grew up on this Man..I'm 51 now..what a Great Career..Respect from Tx.

How can you not love someone who does a shovel dance, was in West Side Story, War of the Gargantuans and Twin Peaks?

My favorite of him was in 7 brides for 7 brothers. He was so much fun to watch and so awesome. 🦋 carol

That shovel dance sequence in "The Fastest Gun Alive" is really cool, and I love his work in West Side Story.

I've always loved him as an actor, and it's great to see that he is just as fun in real life! You're right, he is COOL!

West Side Story, and War of the Gargantuas are my favorite movies with Russ Tamblyn.

“Womb to tomb, birth to earth!” my friend. Thank you for all your wonderful and special performances!

My life long hero....great to see him.

I'm really happy I discovered this video. It is nice to see he is doing well. I am currently 20 and my parents used to play West Side Story for me and my sister. Ever since we've been in love and dug into older movies/music. My sister recently met Rita Moreno in Bushwick located in Brooklyn, NY. Anyways, I feel like that younger folks such as myself should be informed on these iconic films/artist. Punchline: I wasn't born during that time, but man...

Ooh, but I loved him. Still have copies of, and watch, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and West Side Story, on DVD. I am 80, he was my hero.

Love him - he's all tied up in my youth watching West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Peyton Place (where he didn't dance)!

HE IS AN AMAZING GUY !!!!

THE MAN GAVE ELVIS HIS KNEES!!!!!! THAT is how cool Tamblyn is!!!!

This was absolutely groovy, man. Fell in love with him when I saw Tom Thumb.

Love you forever, Russ. 💕

To me, he was the living, breathing embodiment of Peter Pan. He made my young heart flutter. 💓☺️

He looks like David Soul. Always admired his talent❤

I adore him as Gideon Potapee in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".

He was my crush, too! I cut school twice to see WSS and twice to see 7 Brides in the theater. So great to see how gracefully he has aged! I met the son of Venetia Stevenson, Russ' first wife. After Russ she married Don Everly of the Everly Brothers. Their son Edan is also a musician. Another talented showbiz offspring.

I Like When He Starred In The Movie War Of The Gargantuas!!!

Such a sweet man!

In the 60s, Russ’s brother Larry Tamblyn was the keyboard player of The Standells. Their big hit was Dirty Water, still a favorite among Boston Red Sox fans.

Most actors are lucky to be in one iconic musical, Russ was in two. He was an incredible performer.

Love him in Twin Peaks.

Great performance in Peyton Place.

My favorite musical

Love him!

Disney's Tom Thumb with him, and Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers, is loaded with perfectly designed visual effects done in camera. They are so good, it wasn't nominated in that category.

LOVE that man and his movies! I'm glad to see he's doing well and is loved. ❤ Now I'd like to hear his thoughts about the new version of West Side Story that's coming out in December.

I am big fan of Russ, his Riff, was the coolest .

What a great story❤️

Thx! I’m a big longtime fan! 💛

Dude you are the best. I grew up on Disney characters as my heroes and you were there among them. Thanks.

Watched Russ in High School Confidential & had to find out more about him.Such a cool guy great presence & so talented.Great video thank-you.

What a beautiful man. In many ways.

He was amazing in "Westside Story!"❤❤🔥

As a fan of TCM as a kid, I lived seeing him in some of my favorite films: 7 Brides and Peyton Place!

Lucky Boy, blessed!

*'Living out of a car' seems a familiar story for many actors stuck in the 'also starring' niche...especially those cast in juvenile-roles where they're never allowed to 'grow-up'* (I have to disagree w/the "I'm not a good dancer" from Tamblyn...it takes impeccable timing to perform a stunt-move in synchrony w/ music, and 'timing' in performance-dancing is EVERYTHING)

Absolutely love this guy! :-D I'm just settling in to watch another of the films he appeared in, 'The Haunting' 1963. It's in black and white and still one of the scariest films I've ever seen. So happy to see Russ is doing so good - what a legend :-D

What a Great Classy Guy.

Great actor west side story was an amazing movie

Maaan, I've seen this video and one before of Tamblin doing his acrobatic stunts in a western movie and I have to say his energy was amazing. On top of that, he advised Elvis, my favourite musician! So of course I love this guy!

Great feature on the great Russ Tamblyn! Mister Cool! 👍

Is this a recent interview? jesus he looks well!

My favorite role of his is as Dr. Jacoby in Twin Peaks. He was fantastic!

Oh, you left his role in ‘The Haunting,’ (1962?) with Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, and Richard Johnson. A great movie.

Don't forget. Russ and his daughter were both in Tarantino's, Django Unchained.

I always loved Russ.

"Tom Thumb"/Russ Tamblyn in one of my earliest movie theatre memories! It was on TCM today!!

I only knew him from Tom Thumb! No idea he did so much more. Great story.

Wow, I first saw WSS in the 70s as a kid and Riff was bigger than life to me. So damn confident. Sure is a nice guy.