William Schallert
Actor
About This Interview
In his three-and-a-half hour Archive interview, actor William Schallert talks of wanting to be a composer and stumbling upon acting while studying at UCLA. He describes his involvement with the Circle Theater in Los Angeles, his early film roles, and his first television appearances on Space Patrol, Matinee Theater, Playhouse 90, and Climax! He recalls working on several television Westerns, making memorable appearances on Get Smart and Star Trek, and playing "Mr. Leander Pomfritt" on T he Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Schallert then details his time on The Patty Duke Show, where he played Patty Duke's father, "Martin Lane." He speaks of his voiceover career, which includes voicing "Milton the Toaster," and outlines some of his more recent television work. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on February 29, 2012 in Pacific Palisades, CA.
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Video: Watch William Schallert play identical brothers in "The Christmas Present" episode of "The Patty Duke Show":
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Highlights
William Schallert on why "Martin Lane" on The Patty Duke Show resonated with audiences
Clip begins at: 07:02, Duration: 00m 42s- William Schallert on how scenes with the identical cousins were shot in The Patty Duke Show
Clip begins at: 02:40, Duration: 02m 27s - William Schallert on appearing on the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Clip begins at: 12:23, Duration: 03m 14s - William Schallert on his voiceover work as "Milton the Toaster"
Clip begins at: 28:57, Duration: 01m 07s 
William Schallert on feeling like he could act, but that he didn't look like an actor
Clip begins at: 05:44, Duration: 01m 01s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on wanting to be a composer and stumbling upon acting while attending UCLA; on being one of the founding members of The Circle Theatre in Los Angeles
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his father's prominent newspaper role and his last name being recognized in Hollywood; on plays in which he acted; on his early movie roles ("The Foxes of Harrow", "The Man From Planet X"); on getting cut from "Singin' in the Rain"
Clip begins at: 19:02 - On his early TV roles in Space Patrol; on being a character actor and not feeling typecast; on working on Matinee Theater, Playhouse 90, and Climax!; on the end of live anthology dramas
Clip begins at: 34:45 - On working with Rod Serling and Charlton Heston; on appearing on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Clip begins at: 51:04 - Part 2
- On his work in the TV western Gunsmoke; on often playing several roles on one series
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On playing "Mr. Leander Pomfritt" on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis; on reprising his role for a TV movie
Clip begins at: 09:03 - On TV comedy in the 1950s and '60s; on his work on Hennesey, The Jack Benny Program,The Red Skelton Show, and The Lucy Show; on working with Johnny Carson
Clip begins at: 19:58 - On how he got hired for The Patty Duke Show; on working with animator Friz Freleng on Philbert (Three's a Crowd)
Clip begins at: 33:01 - On the premise, theme song, production, and stars of The Patty Duke Show; on how the show reflected the era; on working with writer Sidney Sheldon
Clip begins at: 41:47 - Part 3
- On his co-stars on The Patty Duke Show; on how scenes with the identical cousins were shot; on his favorite episodes; on reuniting with Patty Duke on The Torkelsons
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On appearing on the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles", Get Smart, and on working with Elvis Presley on "Speedway"
Clip begins at: 12:23 - On his voiceover work; on voicing "Milton the Toaster"; on voicing characters on The Smurfs; on The Nancy Walker Show; on working on The Nancy Drew Mysteries; on playing "Robert E. Lee" on the miniseries North and South (Book II)
Clip begins at: 24:00 - On his tenure as President of SAG; on starting the Committee for Performers with Disabilities; on chairing a committee to merge SAG and AFTRA; on Ed Asner succeeding him as President of SAG
Clip begins at: 38:14 - On Patty Duke running for SAG office; on the mission of SAG; on how he finds work nowadays (2012)
Clip begins at: 50:52 - Part 4
- On working on True Blood; on his work in the Stephen King TV miniseries Bag of Bones ; on appearing on According to Jim
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the longevity of his career; on something his fans may not know about him; on the role he's most remembered for; on getting recognized; on advice to aspiring actors
Clip begins at: 05:56 - On his proudest achievement, biggest regret, and how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 13:56
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