Gary Frank, Willie Lawrence from FAMILY in a very personal interview!

[TMC]

Gary reflects with John on his journey to playing Willie Lawrence on FAMILY, sharing the audition process he went through to get the part, personal similarities with his character, as well as the multiple on-screen relationships Willie Lawrence had on FAMILY. Gary talks about the crazy way he met his wife, a producer on FAMILY and the unbelievable story of what they went through to get married before filming began on FAMILY! Gary recounts his deep friendship with Kristy McNichol and his bond with James Broderick until his death, and his own childhood loneliness. Additionally, he shares a fun story about teaching a young Matthew Broderick how to light a match on his zipper.

Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:41 Gary's audition process for Willie Lawrence on FAMILY
• 05:55 Gary similarities to the needs of his character, Willie Lawrence
• 08:22 Gary talks about Mike Nichols
• 10:41 Gary talks about his childhood
• 12:26 Gary talks about the loneliness he felt growing up and his awkwardness with girls
• 13:53 Gary about how he met his amazing wife, Carroll Newman, the producer of FAMILY
• 20:31 The absolutely unbelievable story of what Gary and Carroll had to go through in order to get married on the day they picked before filming began on FAMILY
• 31:06 Gary talks about all the relationships his character, Willie Lawrence had in FAMILY
• 32:31 Gary talks about the lesson he learned about love on screen and off
• 33:12 Gary talks about the first time he met Kristy McNichol and their lasting friendship
• 39:09 Gary talks about being around Matthew Broderick as a kid before he became a star
• 41:05 Gary teaches Matthew Broderick how to light a match on your zipper!
• 42:42 Gary talks about his relationship with James Broderick from FAMILY

Gary Frank continues with the second episode of his interview with John discussing the challenges FAMILY faced with network support and Meredith Baxter Birney's personal struggles during filming. Gary shares his experiences from the series Sons and Daughters with Glynnis O’Connor and Barry Livingston, The Enola Gay with Billy Crystal, and The Gift with Glenn Ford. Gary recounts his time working with Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, and Cesar Romero on Hart to Hart, as well as Karl Malden and Michael Douglas on The Streets of San Francisco. He also shares a unique connection to Marilyn Monroe babysitting his wife and his time on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:13 Gary talks about what Meredith Baxter Birney was dealing with while they were shooting
• 03:13 Gary explains why the TV network was never really behind the show
• 08:05 Gary talks about shooting the TV series, Sons and Daughters with Glynnis O'Connor
• 12:36 Gary talks about the film The Enola Gay with Billy Crystal and Gregory Harrison
• 18:01 Gary talks about working with Glenn Ford on the film "The Gift"
• 29:37 Gary talks about working on Hart to Hart with Cesar Romero
• 30:23 Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe babysat Gary's wife as a kid
• 32:19 Gary talks about working with Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers on Hart to Hart
• 36:15 Gary talks about working with Karl Malden and Michael Douglas on The Streets of San Francisco
• 39:18 Gary talks about his experience on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine