Robert Vaughn
Actor
About This Interview
Robert Vaughn was interviewed for over two hours in New York, NY. Vaughn talks about growing up the son of actors and speaks of his own early stage and radio performances during the 1940s. He outlines his academic studies and his move to Los Angeles, his first television appearances on Medic and Playhouse 90, and being typecast as a villain. He describes some of his early career milestones, including the lead in the play “End as a Man,” and his appearance in the feature film The Young Philadelphians, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Vaughn then details the role for which he is most famous: that of “Napoleon Solo” on the classic 1960's spy series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. He chronicles the show's casting process, working with co-star David McCallum, Ian Fleming’s connection to the series, the show's production schedule, and the series’ abrupt cancellation. He recounts his early opposition to the Vietnam War, his scholarly work on the Hollywood Blacklist, published as the book Only Victims, and discusses his approach to acting and researching roles. Vaughn speaks of his Emmy-Award winning work in Washington: Behind Closed Doors, in which he played a character based on H.R. Haldeman, and comments briefly on other series in which he appeared as a regular: The Protectors, The A-Team, and Hustle (Hu$tle). Ron Simon conducted the interview on May 18, 2007.
Related To This Video
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on his fascination with radio and acting; on meeting John Barrymore when Vaughn was six-years-old; on early stage and radio performances; on sports he played in high school; on his early impressions of television
Clip begins at: 0:54 - On moving to Los Angeles; on attending Los Angeles City College and acting in student productions; on his first professional television job in L.A. - on Medic; on the influence of Marlon Brando on him; on the play "End is a Man"; on Burt Lancaster and working with Paul Newman in film The Young Philadelphian; on The Magnificent Seven
Clip begins at: 12:41 - On his work in television westerns; on playing villains; on live television anthologies
Clip begins at: 25:29 - Chapter 2
- On working with director John Frankenheimer; on Alfred Hitchcock Presents; on McCarthyism and his dissertation on the Blacklist; on his starring role in The Lieutenant; on the assassination of President Kennedy
Clip begins at: 0:3 - On playing the romantic lead in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.; on his character, "Napoloeon Solo"; on co-stars David McCallum and Leo G. Carroll; on production of the show; on the fame he and David McCallum experienced; on the writers and directors of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Clip begins at: 12:45 - Chapter 3
- On The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (contd.); on the gadgets on the show, his contract, and guest appearances on other shows in character as "Napoleon Solo"; on his dressing room; on his involvement with politics
Clip begins at: 0:32 - On The Man From U.N.C.L.E. going off the air; on The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.; on his dissertation on The Blacklist; on his dissertation becoming the book Only Victims; on the legacy of The Man From U.N.C.L.E; on the craft of acting
Clip begins at: 19:29 - Chapter 4
- On his favorite genre in which to work; on his role in Bullitt; on political roles he's played; on his Emmy win for Washington: Behind Closed Doors; on Porky Pig and his production company; on The Protectors; on guest starring on and directing Police Woman with Angie Dickinson
Clip begins at: 0:35 - On TV movies and miniseries in the 1970s and starring in Washington: Behind Closed Doors; on The Fifteen Year Later Affair - reunion movie of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.; on appearing on the final season of The A-Team
Clip begins at: 11:51 - On his stage work in the '80s - "Inherit the Wind"; on returning to England to shoot Hustle; on differences between acting in America and in England; on living on the East Coast, on his proudest professional achievement; on his biggest professional regret - not doing My Fair Lady; on his musical talents
Clip begins at: 18:47 - Chapter 5
- On advice to aspiring actors; on roles that meant a lot to him; on his stage role as Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten; on how he'd like to be remembered; on being recognized as "Napoleon Solo"
Clip begins at: 0:21
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
I ALAWAYS THOUGHT THAT MOST OF THE ACTORS AT THE TIME WERE GOOD ON T.V AND WHEN THEY GOT INTERVIEW ON THE RADIO
I ALAWAYS THOUGHT THAT MOST OF THE ACTORS AT THE TIME WERE GOOD ON T.V AND WHEN THEY GOT INTERVIEW ON THE RADIO
I ALAWAYS THOUGHT THAT MOST OF THE ACTORS AT THE TIME WERE GOOD ON T.V AND WHEN THEY GOT INTERVIEW ON THE RADIO
Vaughn is an extremely articulate and well informed and educated man who is genuinely appreciative of the fame that he and David McCallum experienced as a result of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. He is correct in stating that the series was infinitely better during its first season, when the scripts were sharper and less campy. The boxed set of the complete series is still enjoyable. His film work in The Magnificent Seven and Bullitt is great as well ; the new British series Hustle is an excellent showcase for him.
A true professional and always enjoyable to watch. He was great in "BULLIT!"
First Class actor, a great person.
Post new comment