Hollywood Obsessed: Talking Funny With “Empty Nest” Star David Leisure

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n the latest episode of “Hollywood Obsessed”, host Tony Miros sits down with actor David Leisure, best known as Charley Dietz on the sitcom “Empty Nest” & the hilariously deceptive pitchman Joe Isuzu in the iconic ’80s & ’90s commercials.

David opens up about how humor became his defense mechanism against childhood bullying. Growing up in suburban San Diego as a “latchkey kid,” he found solace in old movies & Westerns. A dramatic weight loss in high school led him to join the drama club, where he discovered his passion for performing.

At San Diego University, David roomed with Robert Hays, his future “Airplane!” co-star. Though he dabbled in local theater, he never seriously considered Hollywood until after graduation. That changed when he moved to Los Angeles and landed his first big break—playing a Hare Krishna in “Airplane!” He shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with comedy legends like Leslie Nielsen and recalls his unexpected return in “Airplane 2: The Sequel”.

In the ’80s, his career took an unexpected turn with the wildly popular Joe Isuzu commercials. Despite their success, he was shocked by how many people recognized him from the ads and how difficult it was to break out of that character—until “Empty Nest” came along.

The sitcom’s backdoor pilot originally aired as an episode of “The Golden Girls”, starring Rita Moreno and Paul Dooley as a middle-aged couple dealing with empty nest syndrome. David played their annoying neighbor, Oliver, a role that later evolved into Charley. He shares a hilarious story about how Bea Arthur scared him to death on set and his complete shock when “Empty Nest” was picked up—especially since the pilot felt awkward. Initially slated for just a few episodes, Charley quickly became a fan favorite, earning David a regular spot for the show’s entire run.

DAVID LEISURE

David Leisure is a versatile actor best known for his scene-stealing comedic roles, most notably as Charley Dietz on the beloved sitcom “Empty Nest”. He also gained widespread recognition as the mischievously deceptive “Joe Isuzu,” the fictional, fast-talking pitchman in a series of memorable Isuzu commercials that aired from 1986 to 1990, with a revival from 1999 to 2001.

Born in San Diego, Leisure attended Grossmont High School, before continuing his education at San Diego State University. His knack for humor and charismatic presence quickly propelled him into a successful TV career, landing roles in an impressive array of popular shows. His extensive TV credits include “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”, “Diagnosis: Murder”, “Touched by an Angel”, “The Wayans Bros.”, “Married... with Children”, “The Golden Girls”, “ALF”, “T.J. Hooker”, “Falcon Crest”, & many more.

On the big screen, he made his mark early with a small but memorable role as the "First Krishna" in the cult-classic comedy “Airplane!” . He later appeared in “10 Things I Hate About You” as a no-nonsense high school soccer coach & detention monitor.

Leisure has continued to evolve as a performer, taking on roles in daytime television, including “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives” . His voice acting talents have also been put to use in animation, notably as Metus in “BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn”.

Most recently, Leisure has appeared in television and film projects such as “The Goldbergs” , “Meet My Valentine” , and “Fame Game” , further solidifying his lasting presence in Hollywood.

With a career spanning decades, David remains a beloved & enduring presence in Hollywood, known for his quick wit, comedic timing, and unforgettable characters.

Episode 110 - Talking Funny With “Empty Nest” Star David Leisure - Part 2

In the second half of Tony's lively conversation with the hilarious David Leisure, the sitcom star shares unforgettable stories and insights from his time on “Empty Nest”. He discusses the valuable lessons he learned while working with veteran actor Richard Mulligan and explains how the chemistry with his co-stars Kristy McNichol and Dinah Manoff made their on-screen dynamic unforgettable.

David also shares his experiences working alongside Dreyfuss, aka “Bear the Dog,” and gives insight into how sassy Park Overall could be off-screen. He reflects on his memorable appearance on “The Golden Girls,” where his character Charley appeared on “Jeopardy” with the ladies, and how he enjoyed flirting with all the Golden Girls on the studio lot. He recalls funny moments, including when Estelle Getty joined the “Empty Nest” cast after “The Golden Girls” ended and the occasional line slip-ups that made everyone laugh.

As David looks back, he discusses the legacy of 90s sitcoms like “Empty Nest”, especially as the streaming era took over. He shares the emotional experience of filming the show’s final episode & reminisces about how the show changed after Kristy McNichol left, though it was amazing to have her return for the final two episodes.

But it wasn’t just sitcoms that kept David busy! He dives into his iconic Joe Isuzu character, which he reprised for a new series of commercials and talks about his time on “The Goldbergs”, where he did a hilarious homage to “Airplane!”. He also reveals that he stays in touch with actor Robert Hays every month and enjoyed filming “The Brady Bunch Movie.”

From his role as the teacher in charge of detention in “10 Things I Hate About You” with Julia Stiles & Heath Ledger to his work on “Days of Our Lives,” he shares the most challenging and funniest aspects of working on a daytime soap.

David wraps up the conversation by reflecting on what he's currently working on, and it’s clear that he remains as passionate and full of energy as ever!