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Barbara Feldon

Actress

"I'd like to be remembered as someone who led their life fully. Not just in one area, but someone who lived her days with enthusiasm and curiosity. I think if you have curiosity and you live with enthusiasm, you have a life better than any star you know could possibly dream of having."

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

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • $64,000 Question aka $64,000 Challenge
  • Cheers
  • Dean Martin Show, The
  • East Side/West Side
  • Get Smart
  • Mad About You
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
  • Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
  • Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour, The
  • Special Edition

People

  • Bill Dana
  • Larry Hagman
  • Buck Henry
  • Sidney Lumet
  • Jay Sandrich
  • George Schlatter
  • Leonard Stern
  • Bob Stewart

Topics

  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Quiz Show Scandals
  • Women

Professions

  • Performers

Featured Content

Barbara Feldon's Revlon Top Brass commercial: Barbara Feldon in a clip from Get Smart:

Resources

Living Alone and Liking It

Book: Living Alone and Loving It: A Guide to Relishing the Solo Life

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • Barbara Feldon on the character "99" she played on <i>Get Smart</i>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" <br/>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 <i>Get Smart</i>Barbara Feldon on the social agenda behind Get Smart
    Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 00m 49s
  • Barbara Feldon on her book of essays <i>Living Alone and Loving It</i> and her love of writingBarbara 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 <i>Get Smart</i> catchphrases <br/>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

Shows

  • $64,000 Question aka $64,000 Challenge
    • Barbara Feldon on being a contestant on The $64,000 Question
      Clip begins at: 23:29, Duration: 05m 24s
    • Barbara Feldon on her appearance on the $64,000 Question -- around the time of the Quiz show scandals
      Clip begins at: 00:27, Duration: 02m 44s
  • Cheers
    • Barbara Feldon on her guest appearance on Cheers
      Clip begins at: 00:16, Duration: 02m 29s
  • Dean Martin Show, The
    • Barbara Feldon on appearing on variety shows
      Clip begins at: 14:27, Duration: 02m 01s
  • East Side/West Side
    • Barbara Feldon on getting a role on East Side/West Side
      Clip begins at: 15:33, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Get Smart
    • Barbara Feldon on initially turning down the pilot of Get Smart
      Clip begins at: 17:19, Duration: 01m 45s
    • Barbara Feldon on the character "99" she played on Get Smart
      Clip begins at: 21:52, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Barbara Feldon on the premise and subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
      Clip begins at: 23:09, Duration: 05m 39s
    • Barbara Feldon on the social agenda behind Get Smart and what people say when they recognize her from the show
      Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 02m 46s
    • Barbara Feldon on her Get Smart character, "99", Don Adams, and the actors and writers of Get Smart
      Clip begins at: 02:48, Duration: 20m 19s
    • Barbara Feldon on production of Get Smart 
      Clip begins at: 23:07, Duration: 04m 02s
    • Barbara Feldon on specific episodes of Get Smart 
      Clip begins at: 27:09, Duration: 03m 18s
    • Barbara Feldon on some of the props on the show Get Smart; on the final season of the show and reuniting with Don for TV movies and remakes of the series
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 07m 10s
    • Barbara Feldon on the legacy of Get Smart and being typecast from the show
      Clip begins at: 10:29, Duration: 02m 44s
  • Mad About You
    • Barbara Feldon on her guest appearance on Mad About You
      Clip begins at: 02:46, Duration: 00m 51s
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
    • Barbara Feldon on guest starring on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 19:49, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
    • Barbara Feldon on appearing on the first five episodes of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
      Clip begins at: 13:13, Duration: 01m 14s
  • Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour, The
    • Barbara Feldon on appearing on variety shows
      Clip begins at: 14:27, Duration: 02m 01s
  • Special Edition
    • Barbara Feldon on hosting syndicated show Special Edition
      Clip begins at: 16:28, Duration: 00m 58s

People

  • Don Adams
    • Barbara Feldon on her Get Smart co-star, Don Adams
      Clip begins at: 08:33, Duration: 03m 51s
    • Barbara Feldon on the Get Smart writing team
      Clip begins at: 21:05, Duration: 01m 07s
    • Barbara Feldon on Don Adams never rehearsing on Get Smart and having a wonderful memory
      Clip begins at: 25:23, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Barbara Feldon on reuniting with Don Adams for the 1989 TV movie Get Smart Again and remakes of the series
      Clip begins at: 04:03, Duration: 03m 30s
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart co-star Don Adams
      Clip begins at: 21:52, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Mel Brooks
    • Barbara Feldon on the subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
      Clip begins at: 25:11, Duration: 03m 37s
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart co-creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks
      Clip begins at: 14:14, Duration: 01m 05s
  • George C. Scott
    • Barbara Feldon on getting a role on East Side/West Side
      Clip begins at: 16:34, Duration: 00m 45s
  • Bill Dana
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart writer/performer Bill Dana
      Clip begins at: 19:59, Duration: 01m 06s
  • Colleen Dewhurst
    • Barbara Feldon on meeting Colleen Dewhurst
      Clip begins at: 17:58, Duration: 00m 26s
    • Barbara Feldon on getting a bit part in a Sidney Lumet play
      Clip begins at: 22:29, Duration: 00m 56s
    • Barbara Feldon on getting a role on East Side/West Side
      Clip begins at: 15:33, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Patty Duke
    • Barbara Feldon on the TV movie Before and After with Patty Duke
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 00m 16s
  • Jimmy Durante
    • Barbara Feldon on dancing at the Copacabana with Jimmy Durante
      Clip begins at: 21:40, Duration: 00m 17s
  • Larry Hagman
    • Barbara Feldon on a TV movie with Larry Hagman
      Clip begins at: 28:11, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Buck Henry
    • Barbara Feldon on the social agenda behind Get Smart; the effect of comedy on serious issues
      Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 00m 49s
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart co-creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks
      Clip begins at: 14:14, Duration: 01m 05s
    • Barbara Feldon on the subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
      Clip begins at: 25:11, Duration: 03m 37s
  • Bernie Kopell
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart recurring actors
      Clip begins at: 18:25, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Sidney Lumet
    • Barbara Feldon on getting a bit part in a Sidney Lumet play
      Clip begins at: 22:29, Duration: 00m 56s
  • Edward Platt
    • Barbara Feldon on her Get Smart co-star, Edward Platt
      Clip begins at: 13:05, Duration: 01m 09s
  • Cesar Romero
    • Barbara Feldon on guest starring on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 19:49, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Jay Sandrich
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart director Jay Sandrich
      Clip begins at: 17:05, Duration: 00m 53s
  • George Schlatter
    • Barbara Feldon on appearing on the first five episodes of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
      Clip begins at: 13:13, Duration: 01m 14s
  • Leonard Stern
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart showrunner Leonard Stern
      Clip begins at: 15:19, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Bob Stewart
    • Barbara Feldon on hosting The '80s Woman which focused on women's issues
      Clip begins at: 20:32, Duration: 03m 45s

Topics

  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Women
    • Barbara Feldon on her Get Smart character, "99"
      Clip begins at: 02:48, Duration: 05m 45s
    • Barbara Feldon on hosting The '80s Woman which focused on women's issues
      Clip begins at: 20:32, Duration: 03m 45s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Barbara Feldon on the character "99" she played on Get Smart
      Clip begins at: 21:52, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Barbara Feldon on her Get Smart character, "99"
      Clip begins at: 02:48, Duration: 05m 45s
    • Barbara Feldon on Get Smart catchphrases
      Clip begins at: 12:32, Duration: 00m 28s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Quiz Show Scandals
    • Barbara Feldon on her appearance on the $64,000 Question -- around the time of the Quiz show scandals
      Clip begins at: 00:27, Duration: 02m 44s

Genres

  • Adventure/Espionage Series
    • Barbara Feldon on the premise and subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
      Clip begins at: 23:09, Duration: 05m 39s
  • Comedy Series
    • Barbara Feldon on the premise and subtext of Get Smart - a satire about the world of political espionage
      Clip begins at: 23:09, Duration: 05m 39s
    • Barbara Feldon on the social agenda behind Get Smart, stars, writers, and production of the show
      Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 30m 25s
    • Barbara Feldon on some of the props on the show Get Smart; on the final season of the show and reuniting with Don for TV movies and remakes of the series
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 12m 50s
  • Commercials
    • Barbara Feldon on the commercial she did for Revlon for Top Brass where she growls like a tiger
      Clip begins at: 11:25, Duration: 02m 00s

Professions

  • Performers > Actress
    • Barbara Feldon on her early interest in acting
      Clip begins at: 09:05, Duration: 03m 53s
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Submitted by ldffly on Fri, 2011-06-10 00:12.

What a fine, fine lady. I enjoyed this entire interview.

Submitted by AFFTL on Sun, 2011-03-20 10:05.

The Interviewer is a bit Rude, she is giving her time, the way he comes across no please or thank you's

Submitted by SpaceLady79 on Mon, 2010-09-27 04:59.

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.

Submitted by SpaceLady79 on Mon, 2010-09-27 01:42.

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!)

Submitted by antred11 on Tue, 2010-08-17 20:53.

Dang, she was what, 74 when that interview was recorded? And she still looks quite beautiful there!

Submitted by tedtalksrock on Sun, 2010-08-01 02:54.

She is so articulate and intelligent and very insightful about her experiences. This is a pleasure to watch. Thank you!

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