...to my father. I don’t know how I became a comedy writer because I didn’t come from a dysfunctional family. I get along great with both my parents. By all rights I should be writing 7th HEAVEN.
But I’m proud to say my dad is my hero. And hopefully, we’ll be working together again soon. Whenever I have a show on the air I always hire him. He became an actor at 65. I think he figured if Woody Allen was still playing romantic leads with Julia Roberts and Tea Leoni he sure as hell had a shot. But I digress….
For the pilot of ALMOST PERFECT dad played a maitre’ d. It’s the very top of the show, Nancy Travis approaches him and asks a question. He’s on screen for maybe half a minute. But CBS chose to use that clip for the promo that ran all summer. He got more airtime than Bob Newhart. And for three months everyone he knew was asking if he was starring in a show with Nancy Travis? (His answer, of course, was yes.)
Here’s hoping this is a wonderful year for you. You might want to consider summer stock to just shake the cobwebs.
Happy birthday. Many more. I love you, Dad.
10 comments :
Ken,
Nice tribute to you're dad. He seems like a terrific guy.
I would have wished my dad a happy birthday on my blog, but that would require me first explaining what a computer is, buying him one, and me spending many hours performing in-house training.
So, I just went old school and used Hallmark.
Ken, so glad to hear you have your dad around to share things with. My dad has been gone for 27 years now and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. Thank God he had the chance to see some of my work in the business and the "naches" level was through the roof. I started out at CBS and wrote features for CBS Radio, one of which was hosted by Jerry Dunphy. Dad came over to the studio and was so proud when Jerry Dunphy said hello to me and I, in turn, introduced him to Jerry. I'll never forget the smile on his face. But the best was inviting him to TV City to watch a taping of a show I was writing. To see him sitting in a TV studio, listening to the words his son had written delivered by performers he knew and loved ... priceless!
That was beautiful, Ken. You're blessed.
If you're reading this Mr. Levine, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I think it's a testament to both of you that your dad was in radio sales - and you both ended up with terrific senses of humor.
Your dad's a good man. Send him my best...and let him know I'm not the one who wrecked his radio station...
Happy birthday, Ken's Dad. (You remind me of my favorite coffee mug -- it says, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Elliot.) And I bet you're more believable as a romantic lead than Woody...
Mr. Hollywood-- I love your story. "the naches level was through the roof" made me smile, and I still am.
Dear Mr. Levine,
Your kid is funny
Hope your birthday is sunny
May his next script co-star
your favorite honey
Julie O. --- happy that my story made you smile. And it looks to me like you have a beautiful smile in your picture! Best of luck with your film project too. Make em' smile cutie!
Thanks to everyone who joined me in wishing my dad a happy b-day.
I love this post. Sept 16 was my dad's birthday. He died 21 years ago, but on his birthday, I still smile for him. I'm trying to make up for those years when I was a surly teenager.
This is so touching...I envy you and your father being so simpatico. I don't think I really had that with my father--we were so different in tastes and outlook and temperment, for the longest time I never felt comfortable around him. Love and respect, yes...just not that sense of mutual joi de vive.
Especially since the day I write this (9/19/06) would have been his 77th birthday. It's been seven years last July.
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