Barbara Feldon
Actress
About This Interview
Barbara Feldon was interviewed for nearly two-and-a-half hours in New York, NY. Feldon speaks about her early interests in both acting and ballet, and chronicles her time at Carnegie Tech Drama School (now Carnegie Mellon). She discusses her appearance on The $64,000 Question, as a Shakespeare expert, and recalls several of her earliest appearances on television -- on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and East Side/West Side. Feldon then details the role and series for which she is most associated, that of "Agent 99" on Get Smart. She describes her character, gives her impressions of her co-stars and show creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks, and relates several production stories. She talks of her work in later series including Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, Cheers, and Mad About You, and comments on some of her feature films, including Michael Ritchie's Smile. Feldon also expresses her love of writing and describes poetry and prose projects on which she's worked. Jim Colucci conducted the interview on October 22, 2007.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Barbara Feldon's Revlon Top Brass commercial:
Barbara Feldon in a clip from Get Smart:
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Highlights
Barbara Feldon on the character "99" she played on Get Smart
Clip begins at: 21:52, Duration: 01m 17s
Barbara Feldon on what Don Adams brought to "Maxwell Smart"
Clip begins at: 10:54, Duration: 01m 30s- Barbara Feldon on the social agenda behind Get Smart
Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 00m 49s 
Barbara Feldon on her book of essays Living Alone and Loving It and her love of writing
Clip begins at: 08:55, Duration: 02m 41s- Barbara Feldon on Get Smart catchphrases
Clip begins at: 12:32, Duration: 00m 28s
Interview
- Part 1
- On her early years and influences; on her mother's musical talent; on her early interest in acting; on studying ballet
Clip begins at: 0:75 - On attending Carnegie Tech Drama School (now Carnegie Mellon) and focusing on drama rather than ballet; on doing Summer Stock in Pennsylvania; on meeting Colleen Dewhurst; on moving to New York and living in the Bronx, then moving to Greenwich Village; on dancing at the Copacabana; on getting a bit part in a Sidney Lumet play
Clip begins at: 15:54 - On being a contestant on The $64,000 Question and studying Shakespeare to become an "expert"
Clip begins at: 23:29 - Part 2
- On her appearance on the $64,000 Question -- around the time of the Quiz show scandals; on changing her name to Barbara Feldon; on disappointing roles for women; on her start in modeling and traveling to Paris
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the commercial she did for Revlon for Top Brass where she growls like a tiger; on other commercial work; on getting a role on East Side/West Side
Clip begins at: 11:25 - On her part in Mr. Broadway; on initially turning down the pilot of Get Smart; on not watching much television; on guest starring on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Clip begins at: 17:19 - On the character "99" she played on Get Smart; on the premise and subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
Clip begins at: 21:29 - Part 3
- On co-starring in Get Smart; on her Get Smart character, "99"; on working with Don Adams; on Get Smart catchphrases; on her Get Smart co-stars, and co-creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On Get Smart showrunner Leonard Stern, director Jay Sandrich, and recurring actors on Get Smart; on Get Smart writer/performer Bill Dana; on the writing staff
Clip begins at: 15:19 - On production of Get Smart; on Don Adams never rehearsing and having a wonderful memory; on her favorite episodes of Get Smart
Clip begins at: 23:07 - Part 4
- On the gadgets on Get Smart; on fan mail she received; on Get Smart switching from NBC to CBS after the 4th season and ending after 5 seasons; on reuniting with Don Adams for the TV movie Get Smart Again and remakes of the series
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On her first movie, Fitzwilly; on the legacy of Get Smart; on being typecast from the show
Clip begins at: 07:58 - On appearing on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; on appearing on television variety shows; on hosting syndicated show Special Edition; on the film Smile; on hosting The '80s Woman
Clip begins at: 13:13 - On appearing in television movies Sooner or Later, A Guide for the Married Woman, A Vacation in Hell, Children of Divorce, and The Unforgivable Secret
Clip begins at: 24:17 - Part 5
- On the TV movie Before and After; on guest roles on Cheers and Mad About You; on her love writing poetry and reading to people; on then-current projects and her book of essays Living Alone and Loving It and her love of writing; on voiceover work
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On her career achievements and regrets; on her advice to aspiring actors; on how she would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 11:30
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What a fine, fine lady. I enjoyed this entire interview.
The Interviewer is a bit Rude, she is giving her time, the way he comes across no please or thank you's
Aw, yes, and it's also on the website (TV Legends) -- which has the vid from here on youtube. I wish we could hear the ending.
This is wonderful. Thanks for posting Barbara Feldon's "Legend"! ;)
She is definately one of the most down-to-earth actresses you will ever see.
If anyone has not yet read her book, "Living Alone...And Loving It!" yet, I highly recommend it. Even if you are not a fan. It's very insightful, and a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down hardly when I got it for Christmas (nearly two months after this was made!)
Dang, she was what, 74 when that interview was recorded? And she still looks quite beautiful there!
She is so articulate and intelligent and very insightful about her experiences. This is a pleasure to watch. Thank you!
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