Jonathan Harris appears on Conan O'Brien 1998
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Wow found this in my files as well. This interview with Conan which in 1998 shows just how much Jonathan Harris was Dr. Smith!! His wit, and candor were second to none. His description of Irwin Allen's "lack of spending money" on Lost in Space is hilarious. This is the best quality of this interview I could find. Definitely worth a watch!!
There'll never be another like him. What a true classic.
Oh Jonathan! What a funny wonderful man. You know he was having the time of his life hamming it up. One of the most loved tv characters of all time. RIP Jonathan.
When you get a guest who's in their 80's, you treat them like a legend and just let them do their thing. Good job by Conan here.
Agreed, but Harris came out and truly put on A SHOW.....so Conan rewarded him with respect. ( not every talk show guest comes out and puts on a show)
Oh man, i was crying with tears laughing watching this.....Conan is fantastic and you can see his real love of Jonathan Harris.....it's not fake, it's fantastic to watch this.
He was absolutely brilliant. I had a Lost in Space robot as a kid but I wanted a Dr. Smith figure....never got one. "Oh, the pain...the pain!" Loved him...classic villain you love to hate. Godspeed Jonathon Harris, you did good!
He had them all in the palm of his hand.The sign of a great actor
I was lucky to have met him at a rare signing in LA. What a gracious man. I asked him to do a "How dare you," and he obliged. Everyone was so grateful to him. I did an A-Z allieration of robot insults for a talent show. Told him a few of mine, and he roared. What a lovely man.
👍👍👍👍👍 😁😁😁😁😁
How lucky and wonderful that you met him!
Thank you for this clip. Jonathon Harris was simply wonderful. What a fantastic voice he had. Sheer joy!
Yes an amazing man!
I loved this guy, he was a real classic actor.
"Irwin Allen was not known for SPENDING MONEY!!!" ROFLMFAO!!!!! :)
Damn, that was funny and Savage at the same time.....lol! RIP Johnathan Harris.
The Jupiter 2 cost more than $2 million in todays dollars. More that the enterprise in Star Trek but the stage props scenery monsters etc were very cheap looking
it's true, harris was allowed to rewrite his lines and did so all the time, he literally created what made lost in space a hit. a boy, a robot, and dr. smith.
Thank you for so much joy, that lasts still 👍
I love listening to Bill Mumy's tales of working with Jonathan Harris. He created the character of Jonathan Harris who then created the character of Dr. Smith. He disliked his original Bronx accent so much that he adopted a proper British accent by watching British B movies. He was married to his high school sweetheart and had one son. Just a quick look at his life via wikipedia is fascinating.
Yes I just ran across that and now I'm flooded with Jonathan Harris clips which I don't mind because he really was fabulous great actor and outstanding person RIP Jonathan 🙏🏻
NEVER FEAR SMITH IS HERE
Harris' Dr. Smith took over that show as completely as any supporting character has ever taken over any series. Along with Fonzie, Urkel, etc.
Always heard a touch of Dr. Smith in Frasier Crane.
Dear Jim Diggs ~ Frasier Crane!! YES!!! Absolutely!! Watching This Wonderful Video And Reading These Sweet Comments.. Well.. I Haven’t Smiled This Much In A Long, Long, Time!!
Jonathan still had that bit of Zachary Smith left in him during his interviews.
Mr. Harris was an incredibly gracious and talented man. As an adult today, some of the aliens may look a bit fake and clunky, but when watching them as a kid; we all thought that they were totally believeable and cool! Also old fashioned grainy TV technology hid the flaws.
A real character :) A very intelligent and interesting person. One of a kind.
Iconic voice! I could listen to him talk n talk n talk! RIP Jonathan Harris.
What a treasure Jonathan Harris was...
I'm 67 and still quote his character... Miss him.
There was only one Dr Smith....SILENCE!!! You cowardly clump! LOL
..Neanderthal Ninnie..lol
The writers actually intended to kill off Harris' character shortly after the Robinson's were in space but changed their minds when they realized the script potential of a feckless, sinister character and his continued interaction with the other cast members, especially the Robot, who he was always trying to subvert to his own sinister whims. It was a great idea (it was if you weren't Guy Williams, that is). This was suppose to be Guy's show. But it was Harris' character who began getting the lion's share of screen time and lines, with Williams' character (more times than not) taking a back seat to Harris'. This didn't sit well with Williams and would become a source of friction between the two of them. This wasn't Harris' doing, of course, and he said he always felt self-conscious about it. Harris once tried to approached Guy about it but Williams brushed it aside by saying something along the way of,
"Hey... I'm still getting paid."
"Oh, William my boy.....the pain....the pain..."
"My back is very delicate today"
Come along, you ninny!
sadly, his style of speaking is a lost art forever. people nowadays have grown up glued to their cell phone, unable to put together intelligent, articulate and interesting sentences like this great man.
He learn to speak that way. Actually he was born and raised in the Bronx New York. And he had to overcome that accent
Flaming but adorable! My favorite insult to the robot was, HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME IN THAT FASHIONNNNN, YOU FRIGHTFUL FRACTIOUS FRUMP!!!
Priceless.
LMAO
I agree, that has to be his best insult. But he had many and they all were imaginative and funny.
@garylobo3 He wasn't gay. Married to his h.s. sweetheart for decades, fathered a son, as well.
If you will allow me to promote one of my videos: ua-cam.com/video/45NrnNpLUEE/v-deo.html
Jonathan was a great guy would've loved to meet him for sure
Haha love this guy. Miss these kind of actors
these kind of actors
"Oh, the pain, the pain!" .... that line is forever etched into my mind...
This was hilarious - he's a hoot.
It’s not enough to say, he had them eating out of his hand!
This man was a national treasure.
This Gentleman will always be DoctorSmith,great actor
Great man!
83 and still totally on his game, great fun!
What a true star. Elegant, eloquent and witty. Despite the movie version failing miserably (it's so bad it's nearly back out the other side to good again) he was still gracious enough to flag wave for it. No political agendas or virtue signalling. How refreshing. An actor who turns up, does the job impeccably by all accounts, and then lets us enjoy it without all this BS on the publicity circuit we've had recently.
Well said. A true actor whose first love was theatre, but did his share of movies, before his one iconic role on TV made him a legend. By his own admission he spoke with a pure almost British affect, gleaned from the B movies of his youth. He was from the Bronx!
@@garysolorzano3216 ~Dear Gary ~ The Bronx?!!! Holy Moly!!!
Nothing wrong about voicing your political opinion. You're only griping because you and your man-love 45, as always, have lost.
What a character. Would loved to have met him.
The Twilight zone and Lost in space two of the greatest shows on television
Jonathan was Lost in Space. The show wouldve been cancel after a few episodes had it not been for him!
?? Pssshh smh...the decision to center the scripts around Dr.Smith is what led to it's cancellation. All other members of the cast have said it repeatedly. Guy Williams and June Lockhart were furious ...and they were right as the show got cancelled. Dr.Smith made people turn the channel. Smith maybe the most annoyingly abominable in TV history.
@@nmerrill It was cancelled because by the 3rd series ratings were less and mostly kids watched it, which displeased advertisers. Irwin Allen was angered by the reduced budget offered for S4.
There was resentment among the actors of Smith's prominence in the show, but that's not the main reason for cancellation.
Three seasons is a fair run for a show. Batman also went 3. And Star Trek.
@@bryanleigh6497 I have read as much as you have about the show I'm sure. What difference does a budget make when your leading actors are not coming back? Guy wasn't coming back for the 4th and moved to S America. The decision to center around Smith made the show over-the-top silly and juvenile. It tanked the writing, scripts and other characters. Any serious actor would have walked. I know it was among the most expensive shows to make at the time but, it certainly didn't make it cheaper to change the scripts. Each late episode was consistently repetitive and goofy. It went from a dramatic sci-fi with comic relief to a comedy with child-like humor. This model has never been tried again for good reason. Notice the Netflix remake 'LiS' has no comedy. It ruined the show. Though it did help launch John Williams and the music was my favorite part.
Wow! I have never seen a guest so thoroughly take command of the stage the way Jonathan Harris did. An amazing performance. This guy was absolutely everything you wanted him to be, everything you hoped he would be, and so much more. And to leave Conan pounding the desk as he laughed so much harder than he thought he would, my hat is off. Damn that's funny!
He had a great one man show where he talks about his life, he is hilarious. I believe it's still on UA-cam
That unmistakeable voice of his..
Omg this actor was a treasure
When the kids of the 1960s were growing up, They had Dr Smith with countless other talented actors. Today the kids have Transgender hour at local grades 1thru 6. How things have changed. Heaven help us. We went from 31 flavors back then of Baskin Robbins, To now 74 genders its like living in a mad house.
I built a robot in 1963 out of card board boxes and won the Halloween costume grand prize at my school. But soon I will be dead and no one will care. But if you care just think of me that I win the
Lottery and I will think of you getting what you want.
Whaioiii
God Bless you..
I hope you get saved! :)
Jesse, that's awesome you made a robot out of cardboard.i remember similar rewards grade school in the 60/70s. Hope you win,but if you don't.. just live your best , call old friends.. have some laughs!
What a delightful guy! This interview was a pleasant surprise
I always thought he was a gay Brit but he was born in the Bronx and married his childhood sweetheart. He affected a British accent because he was self-conscious about his Jewish Bronx drawl.
Seeing Johnathon Harris and Cheech Marin on the show was marvelous! He was OUTSTANDING as Dr. Smith! RIP Johnathon Harris.
Elegance. You don't see it anymore.
Oh, just too much! He was hilarious!
Good memories,thanks Dr Smith.
What fun Jonathon Harris is! He seems to be enjoying it to the hilt. It's hard to imagine that he was once a Jewish kid from the Bronx who was supposed to find his greatest success as a pharmacist. Somehow he reinvented himself, found his voice and created a unique career for himself in show business.
Why wasn't Harris on more TV shows in the 70s and 80s. What a drawing card for a series!
"Noxious ninnie" was my fave! LOL! Kim
That Conan "robot" was a disrespectful piece. I would rather listen to Jonathan Harris.
I love this guy.
Wow! What a charismatic fellow! What great energy at 84. Vale Jonathan Harris!
I adore this interview. It catches that most wonderful fan experience of all...getting to meet one of your childhood heroes and finding out they are even more fun IRL than they are in person!
Beautifully stated and so true. Often I've heard that meeting a childhood hero later in life turns out to be a dud. Not with this dude.
(Just add an E to dud and you get dude. See what I did there? Lol. But I digress)
Jonathan Harris was neither a dud nor a dude. He was an old fashioned star... in the best sense of the word. And Conan was right, he should've received several Emmys.
great interview love Jonathan Harris Love Doctor Smith love Lost in Space I've been watching it since I was 10 years old and it is still on now and I still watch it I am 53 years old
You gotta love the man.
Thanks for the upload, this is incredible!
Jonathon Harris was fantastic as Dr. Smith,he MADE the show ! Funny as hell,what a great show ! Great interview,what a tactful,professional actor. Thank You for posting this. Shame on the lame robot for insulting the lovely June Lockhart.😠
I loved him and Michael Rennie on th Third Man.
This is too much- absolutely love JohnathanHarris!
Lost in Space was the most repeated show in Australia for years. Much loved series down under!!!
Conan needs to learn when to be quiet and let the guest do his thing, he kept stepping on Harris,s lines.
Johnny Carson always knew when to shut up and let the guest shine
@Mort Coil A little less caffeine for you Mort.
We get it, you didn't like Conan. And that robot was stupid.
But you know what? At least Conan had JH on, when nobody else was doing so. Maybe Conan was just giddy and overly excited that night... Like you seem to be in your internet rage here. BTW, you called Conan stupid. He went to Harvard. What university of higher learning did you attend, where you learned to write so well, with perfect punctuation skills??
He is from the Bronx which makes this all the more insane. Love this.
Serious William Hartnell vibe when he got onstage.
I agree with Conan about those cornball monsters in Lost In Space. But Smith played his part impeccably well and was without a doubt the best actor by far on that show.
The robot just stands there working its hands after it’s been dismissed. Awkward.
Even worse...it's just a guy in a suit.
God bless Jonthan Harris, RIP!!!! Just a delight of an actor and person. The fact that he was a Russian Jew from NY and transformed himself into this archetypical WASP demonstrates his brilliance. I thought he was British for years until the Internet, whereas as a kid, I thought Richard Dawson was American with a bad "Dick Van Dyke Cockney" affected British accent. I would have loved to have seen him in more television roles (only as guest appearance in Bewitched comes to mind) as well as on stage / Broadway. Magnificent!!!! And how he was able to transform what a despicable villain role into the star of the show as far as I am concerned shows not only acting brilliance but the shrewd ability to keep his job!
Love this guy.
I met him twice. Hes definitely a character. He said in front of a live audience of 30k people in Boston that he and the robot used to have sex together and that it was very painful
I bet that got a BIG laugh. 🤣😂
What a character.
Bill Mumy, who played Will Robinson, said he'd meet with Harris before filming began each day, who basically threw out the script, and had him ad-lib his lines, something like, "Young man, pay no attention to that, here's what we're going to do instead!"
I heard Jonathan Harris was the model for Baby Stewie on Family Guy (first season was a year after this interview)
One of my top favorite shows ever!! Thanks for sharing!
A bit of a disrespect to a true Legend.
Rest well Jonathan...With your wife.. The love of your life..
You did so very well.
Brisbane. Queensland Australia
What a voice !!!!!!
He's just beautiful here - love Jonathan's sense of timing and sense of humor
I always noticed that Harris's style & voice resembled that of Clifton Webb (Laura, Razor's Edge). Coincidence?
YES - Elliot Templeton in Space.
Somehow I think he made the most money of the cast. It had something to do with the “SPECIAL GUEST STAR” credit.
Jonathan Harris - Champion & Legend RIP
What drug is Conan on?
I am so glad this video was presented. I was speaking about this appearance & commented this LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN. Johnathan Harris was a gem of an actor. He carried Dr. Zachary Smith to a T in "LOST IN SPACE" I am glad that CONAN brought out PIMPBOT the robot. I was in stitches 🤣 "Never Fear Smith is Here", "Oh The Pain". I miss him so much. Great job Johnathan Harris.👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋
What a charming actor brilliant
🌸 I Just Adored Jonathon Harris. I Adored Him.. I Still Adore Him.. I Will Always Adore Him. The Late, Very Great, Mister Jonathon Harris Lives On!!
I just read his biography on Wikipedia and was shocked to learn he was born in the Bronx and hated his accent, so he cultivated a fake British accent by watching B movies.
Harris is funny
All I know about Jonathan Harris was lost in space reruns while growing up in the 70s and 80s. Just listening to him though, he sounds like he would have been the epitome of excellence in any play, especially Shakespeare!
Thank you for sharing this clip. This put a massive smile on my face when I watched it. What a wonderful character Mr Harris was... Love him...
Did you notice that the evil aliens on Lost in Space all had Russian accents?
Conan has a passable resemblance to Billy Mumy. Too bad they didn’t do a Lost in Space sketch while they had Jonathan Harris on the show. Oh well.
Here is the thing. In the pilot episode, he played Smith as an ecumenical cunning man, who intentionally and maliciously sabotaged the Jupiter II spaceship, but through a mistake trapped himself aboard. He was a foul villain playing a bumbling coward, to perfection! It was Smith's only path for survival. It became a kiddie show, but was absolutely not started that way.
Harris was was tremendously underrated as an actor. I would place him next to Vincent Price. He was that good. Price was also underappreciated.
I remember reading the story about how he ended up getting written into the show.
When he was approached to do the show with Irwin Allen, he proposed to them to write him into the show with the words...
'Special guest star Jonathan Harris"
So whenever you watch any of the Lost In Space shows all the way through the entire series you will see him cast as that.
This way he secured himself as a character all the way through and not just somebody who would be written out after a few episodes.
An absolutely incredible actor Who definitely not only commanded Conan O'Brien's stage, but for all the performances that he did throughout the lost in space series..and so glad we have his memories via the reruns to watch!
You can definitely see him physically look at the robot that Conan O'Brien had brought out onto the stage. It almost seems like he wasn't happy with the way the character was throwing the offensive words. It almost seemed like an insult but he rode along with it.
RIP Jonathan Harris. Gone but not forgotten.😢😢😊😊
Perhaps my favorite talk show appearance of all time.
What a great segment, it made me smile. Back when late night TV was fun and had no political agenda. I was also lucky to see Lost In Space as a kid during it's original run.
Danger Will Robinson !!!!!
I watched LiS in re-runs as a kid in the 70s, and I remember being genuinely frightened by the monsters, and of course I hated Dr Smith. Now I've grown up to play a few comedic science fiction villains on stage (small community theater roles) and there's no arguing who was the best!
The Dr. Smith character was originally written to be a classic bad guy, who injured or killed people to get his way. Harris came up with the idea to make him a clownish coward. Brilliant. James Best did a similar thing with the character of Roscoe P. Coltrane; initially, he was supposed to be a mean cop-type, but Best changed the character into a buffoon, and the rest is history. Jonathan Harris - one of a kind!
"I only asked one question!"
"I've not yet begun!"
He is an interviewer's dream - let him sound off and sit back and enjoy!
Jonathan Harris (nacido Jonathan Daniel Charasuchin; en hebreo: ג'ונתן האריס; Nueva York, 6 de noviembre de 1914-Encino, 3 de noviembre de 2002) fue un actor estadounidense.