Charles Nelson Reilly 1931 - 2007

61. There wasn't much wrong with CNR. He was a very funny, seemingly decent man with stellar directorial and acting credentials, who got somewhat pidgeon-holed into a game show regular. He made a lot of people laugh, and that's not a bad legacy to leave behind. RIP, Chuck.

Posted at 4:49PM on May 29th 2007 by Taylor

62. Where is the line to AZZRAPE his corpse?

Posted at 4:50PM on May 28th 2007 by Flabiker

63. i think the teletubby is great! i love tmz's humor. the rest of you need to lighten up a bit.

Posted at 4:50PM on May 28th 2007 by yo mama

64. I think Charles might have appreciated the humor of the Teletubbie even if its been done before. Unlike Falwell who was human feces. CNR was a wonderful man who brought joy to so many people.

Posted at 4:57PM on May 28th 2007 by Neatjunk

65. Why the tubbie? The man isnt worthy of words?

Posted at 3:59PM on May 30th 2007 by Annie

66. Lose the teletubby!

In this context it's disrespectful.

Posted at 5:07PM on May 28th 2007 by Only swim in the Ocean

67. Hey TMZ...if Harvey dies will you post a pic of Hitler waving goodbye?

You people are just mean.

Posted at 5:09PM on May 28th 2007 by Not a Jew

68. Charles Nelson Reilly might seem like a dated, cringe-worthy relic from the 1970's, but he really was a trailblazer. I remember being a closeted boy and clinging to the image of CNR on "Match Game". He was obviously "out" and even more important, seemed perfectly at ease with his homosexuality. His TV presence was reaffirming to this little gay boy! Thanks, Charles.

Posted at 5:16PM on May 28th 2007 by Prince Romanoff

69. Who cares about Farwell, or however you spell his name. When he was on television I would turn it off immediately.He probably had more skeletons than we will ever know about. But Charles Nelson Reilly was hilarious. I will miss him and he deserves our respect.

Posted at 5:18PM on May 28th 2007 by Pat

70. Thanks for the good laughs...RIP Charles

Posted at 5:28PM on May 28th 2007 by Nance

71. um, I believe the teletubby was used because fallwell made some ridiculous remarks about them being gay....fine..it was sort of funny...but why on earth would you use it for Charles Nelson Reilly???? that's horrible...and I love TMZ but this is just wrong! The guy was a brilliant writer and played roles of beloved bumbling idiots! For those of you under 40, he played a great part on a series called The Ghost and Mrs. Muir in the late sixties/early seventies...I don't remember cause I was a kid then. He also did alot of character acting on TV...not to mention a bunch of game shows. RIP Mr. Reilly...and thanks for sharing the laughter!

Posted at 5:35PM on May 28th 2007 by ...things that make you go hmmmmmmm

72. The people who write for TMZ (staff) are in their 20's so, they have a very Crude, sense of humor....Yeah, it is lazy and stupid of them not to look for a nice picture of CNR...! what loooooosers they are.

Posted at 5:40PM on May 28th 2007 by Nance

73. Love the pic.LMAO.When I die,I hope one of my relatives posts a picture like this of me.C.N.R. was a funny guy.To thise worthless idiots out there who are posting"never heard of him".,your replies are not wanted or needed.Get a life.Beat it.Hit the "bricks."

Posted at 5:46PM on May 28th 2007 by JA Man

74. Will Jerry Falwell types say good riddance to Charles Nelson Reilly?

Get my point?

Posted at 5:58PM on May 28th 2007 by U NO HOO

75. Ok, so i think the tubby is funny but i know it was used in mocking Farwell so I object as well.

I remember my gay grand ma ma running through the streets of my small town yelling "Theres a gay on tv, Theres a Gay on TV...!!!! "

CNR was amazing. He basically was our modern day Will and Grace in one! He was a gay and proud celeb before the stonewall riots and should be remembered as a hero.

If you have not seen this film and are a fan of charles.. I saw it last week at the toronto g & L film fest... just pure fun..

http://www.insideout.on.ca/17Annual/sched/template.cfm?program_id=41&program_title=Life%20of%20Reilly

you should... It doesn't even mention match game.


Life of Reilly
The flamboyant Charles Nelson Reilly was one of the only openly gay actors on television in the 1970s, and has gone on to become a camp icon. His toupee-donning, cravat-wearing, foppish buffoon character seemed to be an omnipresent fixture on the small screen, appearing in The Ghost of Mrs. Muir, Dean Martin’s Celebrity Roast and just about every game show in town, notably Hollywood Squares and Match Game. He counted 56 appearances in one week’s TV Guide at the height of his career. Not bad for a poor boy from the Bronx who NBC President Vincent Donahue informed at the start of his career, ‘They don’t let queers on television.’ Life of Reilly is a magnificently engaging film version of Reilly’s autobiographical monologue Save it for the Stage, which he has performed more than 400 times in the last five years. Reilly’s rich storytelling draws you into his hard-knock life from his certifiably insane family to his years of success on Broadway (with performances in Bye Bye Birdie and Hello Dolly amongst others). Reilly emerges as a man of immense humility, honest sentiment and vast talent.

Posted at 6:15PM on May 28th 2007 by Mike