My Late tribute to Actor Charles Nelson Reilly, Died. May 27
Charles Nelson Reilly, the Tony Award winner who later became known for his ribald appearances on the “Tonight Show” and various game shows, died of complications from pneumonia on May 27. He was 76. In 1962, Reilly appeared on Broadway as Bud Frump in the original Broadway production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The role won Reilly a Tony Award. He was nominated for a Tony again for playing Cornelius in “Hello, Dolly!” In 1997 he received another nomination for directing Julie Harris and Charles Durning in a revival of “The Gin Game.” Reilly was a regular on programs like “Match Game” and “Hollywood Squares” in the 1970s and ’80s, often wearing giant glasses and colorful suits with ascots.