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Charles Nelson Riley

Charles Nelson Reilly
CharlesNelsonReilly.JPG
Reilly in 2000
Born (1931-01-13)January 13, 1931
Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died May 25, 2007(2007-05-25) (aged 76)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Cause of death Pneumonia
Education Hartt School of Music
Occupation Actor, director, comedian, drama teacher
Years active 1957–2007
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Partner(s) Patrick Hughes III (1980–2007)
Awards Best Featured Actor in a Musical
1962 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Charles Nelson Reilly II (January 13, 1931 – May 25, 2007) was an American actor, comedian, director, and drama teacher, known for his comedic roles on stage and in films, television shows, cartoons, and as a game show panelist.

Reilly was born in The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States, North America, the son of Charles Joseph Reilly, an Irish Catholic commercial artist, and Signe Elvera Nelson, a Swedish Lutheran. When young, he would often make his own puppet theater to amuse himself. His mother, foreshadowing his future as an entertainer, often would tell him to "save it for the stage".

At age 13, he survived the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire, which killed 169 people in Connecticut. As a result, he never sat in an audience again throughout the remainder of his life. Because of the event's trauma, he rarely attended theater, stating that the large crowds reminded him of what happened that day.

As a boy, Reilly developed a love of opera and desired to become an opera singer. He entered the Hartt School of Music as a voice major, but eventually abandoned this pursuit when he realized that he lacked the natural vocal talent to have a major career. However, opera remained a lifelong passion, and he was a frequent guest on opera-themed radio programs, including the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts. He directed opera productions for the Chicago Opera Theater, Dallas Opera, Portland Opera, San Diego Opera, and Santa Fe Opera, among others. He was good friends with opera singers Renée Fleming, Rod Gilfry, Roberta Peters, and Eileen Farrell.


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