Charles Nelson Reilly (January 13, 1931 - May 25, 2007) was an American actor, voice actor, comedian, and stage director. Born in the Bronx, New York City, he was mainly raised in Connecticut and developed early interests in comedy and puppetry. He was also a fan of opera, and intended to become a professional opera singer until he concluded he lacked the vocal talent.
A wit and raconteur, Reilly was a staple in The '70s on talk shows and game shows, becoming especially familiar to watchers of Match Game. During the same decade he appeared on Sid and Marty Krofft's puppet and live-actor series in the inimitable role of wicked wizard Horatio HooDoo.
Reilly's domestic partner for about the last quarter-century of his life was the set decorator Patrick Hughes (who he met on the set of the short-lived game show Battlestars). His sexuality for most of his life was what might have been called an open secret, but he publicly addressed it in his 2006 one-man show Save It for the Stage—The Life of Reilly.
Filmography
- 1962-63 Car 54, Where Are You?: Harlow/Abernathy (2 episodes)
- 1963 The Patty Duke Show: Coach Coglan (1 episode)
- 1967 The Tiger Makes Out: Registrar
- 1968-70 The Ghost and Mrs. Muir: Claymore Gregg
- 1970 Nanny and the Professor: The Pathfinder (1 episode)
- 1971-72 Lidsville: Horatio HooDoo
- 1971-73 Love, American Style: Frank/Chuck Erickson/Albert/Jeff (4 episodes)
- 1972 Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In: Guest Performer (5 episodes)
- 1972 McMillan & Wife: Davison (1 episode)
- 1975 Uncle Croc's Block: Uncle Croc
- 1982 The Love Boat: Jesse Dobson (2 episodes)
- 1982 Madames Place: Himself (1 episode)
- 1984 Cannonball Run II: Don Don Canneloni
- 1985 Amazing Stories: Father McClintley (1 episode)
- 1985 The Wind in the Willows (1985): Mr. Toad
- 1989 Charles in Charge: Abba-Kahn (1 episode)
- 1989 All Dogs Go to Heaven: Killer
- 1990 It's Garry Shandling's Show: Himself (1 episode)
- 1990 Evening Shade: Alan Roth (1 episode)
- 1991 Rock-A-Doodle: Hunch
- 1992 The New WKRP in Cincinnati: Bobby (1 episode)
- 1992 Goof Troop: Dutch Spackle (2 episodes)
- 1992-93 The Addams Family (1992): Additional voices
- 1993 Rugrats: Edmund Haynes/Actor/Director (1 episode)
- 1994 A Troll in Central Park: Llort
- 1996 The X-Files: Jose Chung (1 episode)
- Reprised role the following year on Millennium (1996).
- 1996 Family Matters: Mr. Vreeland
- 1996 The Larry Sanders Show: Himself (1 episode)
- 1997 As the World Turns: Gerard the Hypnotist (1 episode)
- 1998-99 The Drew Carey Show: Mr. Hathaway (2 episodes)
- 2001 SpongeBob SquarePants: The Dirty Bubble (1 episode)
