http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id373.html

Here's more info!! He seems like a real cool guy - unlike Taylor. :lol:

Autobiography of a musical comedy star!

When someone asks me what I do for a living. I tell them "I entertain people." Calling myself an actor would be too immodest. Rarely do I spare them the anarchic and usually hilarious accounts of what it has been like to survive for forty one years in the movies, television, and my first love, the American Theater. During that time I have persevered through a minefield of theatrical personalities, not excluding my parents, in order to emerge the man I am today: a closet optimist, easily fooled, addicted to tall sexy women and serious enough to make thousands of people laugh at any given time. (As long as I have the right material.)
ACTING FOOLISH, explores my journey with the people I have been blessed to be associated with. What Zero Mostel, Neil Simon, Groucho Marx, Nathan Lane, Joseph Papp, David Burns, Harold Prince, Sidney Lumet, Rita Moreno, Mickey Rooney, Agnes DeMille, Henry Fonda, Mel Brooks, Richard Dreyfuss, Stella Adler, Sam Levene and Alan Arkin all have in common is the blessing and curse of being born with the creative gene. It is a life where only a degree of politeness is advisable. Everytime you think you've seen it all, you are reminded you will always be a virgin.
ACTING FOOLISH is the story of larger than life people who have dedicated their lives to telling the story well. How it's done is not always pretty, but to quote the great Stella Adler: "It's better to be interesting than be real."

Sounds like a fascinating read!

That's pretty cool! :cool:

It does!! Bear Media has a lot of fascinating reads - mainly about more obscure actors and shows. :D

I'm going to hunt this down - it looks like a really fun book. :D

I just found Lewis Stadlen on Facebook. He added me as a friend. :cool: :D

I just found Lewis Stadlen on Facebook. He added me as a friend. :cool: :D

Really? Damn, he needs to add me too! Did you just invite him or what happened?

Really? Damn, he needs to add me too! Did you just invite him or what happened?
I just looked him up as a lark and requested him as a friend. He also wrote me a friendly message before confirming me as a friend. He seems like a very nice fellow - unlike his Benson character. :lol:

I finally found the book in the library system and placed a hold on it. Once I read it, I will share my thoughts with you all here!! :D

I finally found the book in the library system and placed a hold on it. Once I read it, I will share my thoughts with you all here!! :D
Cool! Happy reading!

Cool! Happy reading!
Thanks!!

...but Lewis' father was veteran voice-over/actor Allen Swift {r.n. Ira Stadlen}, who passed away a few months ago. I'm certain he has more than one anecdote concerning the voices his father became famous for, and what it was like growing up with a multi-talented person like him around the house...

:tv:

...but Lewis' father was veteran voice-over/actor Allen Swift {r.n. Ira Stadlen}, who passed away a few months ago. I'm certain he has more than one anecdote concerning the voices his father became famous for, and what it was like growing up with a multi-talented person like him around the house...

:tv:
Oh, definitely. It will be interesting to read what he has to say about his father.

The book just came in today from the library. As soon as I'm done with the library book I'm currently reading, Lewis' tome is next on my to-read list. I will let everyone know what I think here when I'm done!! :cool: :D

The book just came in today from the library. As soon as I'm done with the library book I'm currently reading, Lewis' tome is next on my to-read list. I will let everyone know what I think here when I'm done!! :cool: :D
I'm looking forward to your review! Lewis Stadlen seems like a very interesting person.

I'm looking forward to your review! Lewis Stadlen seems like a very interesting person.
That he is!! :nod:

Just finished the book!! The lion's share of the book concerns Mr. Stadlen's stage career (from Fiddler on the Roof to The Producers), but his chapter about Benson and battles with the producers (and Bob Guillaume) alone is worth the read.

Without giving a lot away, here is a sampling of the chapter:

1.) Before he got the call to join the Benson cast, his agent sent him on an audition for Taxi in 1978. (He doesn't mention which role he auditioned for but my money's on John Burns.)

2.) He and Mr. Guillaume made a bet as to whether or not their show would win its timeslot against Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in December 1979. (You'll have to read the book to find out who won the bet!)

3.) When the Benson cast played on Family Feud for the second time, Mr. Stadlen got high on marijuana before the taping and was totally high by the time Mr. Guillaume pushed him onto center stage to play Fast Money!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Did he choose to leave "Benson," or was he axed?

Did he choose to leave "Benson," or was he axed?
According to the book, it was mutual. Lewis wanted to go back to NYC, and he didn't get along with the producers of Benson. So they figured it was in everyone's best interest to bring in someone new for the 1980-81 season, and thus Clayton was born!

catlover. Too bad, as I didn't mind the Taylor character. he provided a good-enough foil to the other characters.

How about Caroline McWilliams? Has her departure ever been discussed? I prefer the first two seasons of Benson over the ones that followed. Then again, with many shows, it's those initial seasons that gel the best.

EDIT: I just checked the "Marcy's Vacation" thread, and read your further reply. :) Sometimes when you're away for a time, you forget stuff you posted. hehe

You know what's really interesting? Lewis Stadlen's daughter Diana is now married - and her married name is...Taylor!!!! :D