How I knew Robert Guillaume would forever be known as "Benson".... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-05-2006, 01:55 PM

When I saw "Seems Like Old Times" [starring Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn] at my local movie theater in 1980, Robert Guillaume had a supporting role as Charles Grodin's friend and legal counsel. When he first appeared on screen, I heard several people whispering around me, "Oh, it's Benson", "It's Benson".
That's when I knew Guillaume wasn't going to have much of a successful career (in theatrical movies, at least) appearing as "other characters"...and that only ONE role in his entire life was going to stick with him...even two seasons of "SPORTS NIGHT" and one of his own short-lived series hasn't changed that fact.

tv star collector · 06-05-2006, 05:58 PM

Robert Guillaume was indeed another victim of typecasting, an occupational
hazard of episodic television unfortunately.

Guillaume's versatility is evident, though. He also has an excellent singing
voice (he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" on a television special and did it
beautifully). I was quite surprised. Younger audiences may also know him as the voice of Rafiki the baboon in Disney's "The Lion King."

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-05-2006, 06:31 PM

...Mr. Guillaume had his own ABC variety special during the "BENSON" era? That was the ONE opportunity he had to demonstrate his singing voice and other talents outside of his regular series. Who remembers it besides ME, today? Or his turn in "THE DONNA SUMMER SPECIAL" (1979)?

I'm pretty sure that the moment George Reeves made his brief appearance in "From Here To Eternity" (1953), at least ONE person in EVERY movie audience it played to must have uttered, "Look, it's SUPERMAN!!". That's why Reeves barely had any roles outside of his own in the '50s...with tragic consequences.

Robert Guillaume was lucky. At least HE could try to use in his talents on other series and voice-over work {"The Lion King"}. But, now that "BENSON"
is back on TV LAND, what will most viewers see him as?

06-05-2006, 01:55 PM	#1
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	How I knew Robert Guillaume would forever be known as "Benson".... When I saw "Seems Like Old Times" [starring Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn] at my local movie theater in 1980, Robert Guillaume had a supporting role as Charles Grodin's friend and legal counsel. When he first appeared on screen, I heard several people whispering around me, "Oh, it's Benson", "It's Benson". That's when I knew Guillaume wasn't going to have much of a successful career (in theatrical movies, at least) appearing as "other characters"...and that only ONE role in his entire life was going to stick with him...even two seasons of "SPORTS NIGHT" and one of his own short-lived series hasn't changed that fact.

06-05-2006, 06:31 PM	#3
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Aren't you forgetting that.... ...Mr. Guillaume had his own ABC variety special during the "BENSON" era? That was the ONE opportunity he had to demonstrate his singing voice and other talents outside of his regular series. Who remembers it besides ME, today? Or his turn in "THE DONNA SUMMER SPECIAL" (1979)? I'm pretty sure that the moment George Reeves made his brief appearance in "From Here To Eternity" (1953), at least ONE person in EVERY movie audience it played to must have uttered, "Look, it's SUPERMAN!!". That's why Reeves barely had any roles outside of his own in the '50s...with tragic consequences. Robert Guillaume was lucky. At least HE could try to use in his talents on other series and voice-over work {"The Lion King"}. But, now that "BENSON" is back on TV LAND, what will most viewers see him as?

06-05-2006, 05:58 PM	#2
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Robert Guillaume was indeed another victim of typecasting, an occupational hazard of episodic television unfortunately. Guillaume's versatility is evident, though. He also has an excellent singing voice (he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" on a television special and did it beautifully). I was quite surprised. Younger audiences may also know him as the voice of Rafiki the baboon in Disney's "The Lion King."