Robert Guillaume Did Richard Pryor Bits Between Takes on "Sports Night" Set
by Josh Charles, as told to Andy Lewis
Nov. 1, 2017


When I heard the news that Robert had died on Oct. 24, I had this image of him singing one day on set. I couldn't tell you the song, as my memory is not that strong, but I can tell you that through the tears, that memory made me smile.

We had a wonderful rapport, both on-and-off screen. I think Isaac [Guillaume's character] was a father figure for many of the show's characters, but because Dan [Charles' anchorman character] had a fractured relationship with his own father, theirs felt particularly special.

I always believed Dan thought of Isaac in that light. Any scene with him was always special and fun. He was so laid-back and made everything — acting, life — look so damn easy. We used to make each other laugh doing Richard Pryor bits between takes. There was no better feeling than making him laugh.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robert-guillaume-did-richard-pryor-bits-between-takes-sports-night-set-1053201

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/aaron-sorkin-robert-guillaume-tribute-1202602753/

Sorkin says of his former Sports Night star: “Among the cast, the crew and his many fans, he was larger than life. We knew him as Benson, of course, and we knew him from his thunderous turns on Broadway, but mostly we knew him as the person we least wanted to disappoint. He was true north as an actor, as a company member and as a man. We’ll miss our friend very much, and we’ll always be better for having shared a stage with him.”