Daniel J. Travanti
Actor
About This Interview
Daniel J. Travanti was interviewed for four-and-a-half hours in Chicago, IL. Travanti talked about his early years breaking into television as a guest star on such shows as Route 66, The Defenders, and Gunsmoke. Travanti spoke in detail about the role for which he is most identified “Captain Frank Furillo” on Hill Street Blues. He also discussed the production of this series and some of the key series storylines. He then talked about his later work that included the television movies Adam and Murrow and the police drama series Missing Persons. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on October 13, 2004.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Video: Hill Street Blues full pilot episode "Hill Street Station" (airdate: January 15, 1981)
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his early years; on the television he watched as a child; on starting out as a theater actor
- Chapter 2
- On his early theater work (continued)
- On his television debut on an episode of Route 66
- On iconic television; on appearing on an episode of The Defenders
- Chapter 3
- On his television work in the sixties including appearances on East Side/West Side, Flipper, The Patty Duke Show and Gunsmoke
- On his work on episodes The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart; on the ratings of Hill Street Blues
- Chapter 4
- On working in commercials; on appearing on The Doctors and General Hospital
- On turning down a police series; on the path to starring in Hill Street Blues
- Chapter 5
- On starting on Hill Street Blues
- Chapter 6
- On how he was cast on
Hill Street Blues as Capt. Furillo; on the premise of the series; on his character - On the series' (and his own) Emmy wins; on
Hill Street Blues' production; on working with his co-stars Veronica Hamel and Michael Conrad (and his death during the run of the series) - Chapter 7
- On the ensemble cast of
Hill Street Blues; on its final episode - On starring in the TV movie Adam; on starring in the TV movie Murrow (1986)
- Chapter 8
- On playing Edward R. Murrow; on starring in feature films and TV movies including Howard Beach: The Case for Murder; I Never Sang for My Father; and Poltergeist: The Legacy; on the life of an actor
- Chapter 9
- On appearing on The Outer Limits; on moving to Chicago; on his thoughts on the television industry; on his legacy
Shows
People
time does not stand still, DJT is a great actor.
Sad to see someone so skilled at his craft and there is little or no venue left for him to demonstrate it in. As Mr. Travanti said, "What's wrong with our country?" The old Hollywood is dead and had been for 50 years, Broadway is made up of reviews and TV has become a "peep show" of those who in earlier times would have been working in carnival sideshows. Mr. Travanti has renewed my determination in screenwriting and I'm going to begin again.
What an absolutely fascinating person! He was born too late because I can see him doing movies back in 30' and 40's. He's just that serious and has great feeling for the art. I wish that I were a playwright because I'd like to see him on stage. He no doubt could play anything! GREAT INTERVIEW! And thank you Mr. Daniel J. Travanti (with an I).
Love Dan, love Hill Street, but judging by this interview, he's seems awfully full of himself.
Sad to see someone so skilled and who gave so much so troubled, and so lonely and so bitter.
He would have been ideal for Frasier's father now
sure wish they'd release HSB on Blu-Ray!!
Dear Neil. Yes, it is indeed YOU!.
Mr, Travanti's line about being :"Out" is simply the follow up to his statement a few seconds earlier about being "Out" of the loop regarding the Motion Picture Business. That is, that nobody seems to want him for feature films just now. I know that we humans often hear only that which we want to hear, but please do learn to listen a wee bit better. OK Duckie?
Great tv actor, thanks for posting this video. Travanti comes across as a top chap, very interesting family and life story and a top accent. Hope he lives to be 100!
brilliant actor
DJT was the original Mitch on GH? Wonder if he was Tracy Quartermaine's Mitch...
I have watched and listened to all of the nine interviews and must say how thoroughly engaging and interesting it has been. A delightful and talented man! It it me or is there a reference to his sexuality at 02.10 when he states he is "out"? Not that this should matter of course, but it is intriguing nevertheless. (and I always fancied him!) He is lovely!
@agamemnon419 hulu
@perugia20 you do have a point itoo found it a bit sad the way he was left to ramble on.
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