87 years of life, 63 years of marriage, infinite number of smiles on countless fans' faces. Yes I would say Jonathan Harris' life was a life well lived.
He was a great friend as well. I miss him dearly, especially around the holiday season, when he used to send me a Christmas card, no matter where I was in the world. After awhile, I thought of him more as a family member than someone on a TV show. RIP Jonathan and Gertrude. Miss you both.
As a star struck kid, I met Jonathan Harris one day while he was shopping at Gelson's market in Encino, CA The guy was totally the way you see him, and I'll never forget it.
As a kid in the 60's I LOVED Lost in Space. The space craze was everywhere and the show was extremely looked forward to. Thank you Jonathan for making my childhood better!!!
I remember an episode of EMERGENCY where on the intercom u heard...'dr smith ...line 2...Dr Smith line 2....I kept expecting to hear Smith's voice saying OH THE PAIN...OH THE PAIN 😂🤣😅
I met Jonathan Harris at a sci-fi convention about 20 years ago. He said something very profound. He said that whenever he does a stage performance, each time he performs, he always does it with enthusiasm. Because, no matter how many times he has done it, there's always someone in the audience who is seeing it for the first time.
Are you sure it wasn't instead "Because, you never know? Some mentally deficient gullible as hell person in the audience might actually be impressed ....it COULD happen...you just never know...."
Paraphrased Joe DiMaggio there. When asked towards the end of his career when he was playing hurt why he played every game so hard, "Someone might be there that never saw me play before."
Although near 68 now, and was a teenager THEN - I was far too critical of him, and the show at the time. Now I think of him like other unappreciated actors. Good to hear you people love and miss him, as I do now!😣🤔😀
My daddy thought Johnathan Harris was a bit too flamboyant to be on the black and white television in our home. Flamboyant equals... gonna turn the station.
I met his wife Gertrude in 74-75, I was still in my teens and working in a supply house that served barbers and beauty shops as they were known then, and she was a executive for a hair products company and met her at one of our shows in Lake Tahoe. I remember at a dinner someone asked her if actors were still paid royalties , as lost in space was over and she said you better believe it. I remember what a nice person she was, at that time she had not been to Lake Tahoe before , where our show was and she commented that it was a much younger crowd than Las Vegas in those days. I heard they lived in Encino , outside of LA in the Valley
In the mid-'70s my family lived across the street from Jonathan Harris. I never met him, but my sister brought him a bouquet of flowers. He was deeply moved. That's how I'll always think of him - a teddy bear with a brilliantly acerbic character role.
Jonathan Harris is great, and I love him, as someone who watched Lost in Space as a child, but watching this documentary one has to also give some serious credit to Billy Mumy, for being, in a word, a true gentleman, a very generous spirit.
I haven't yet watched this entire biography, but I remember a reminiscence by Billy Mumy, who played Will Robinson on the TV show Lost in Space, that showed how considerate Jonathan Harris actually was to the "lesser lights" who worked on the show. According to Mumy, while other actors would often stoke their egos by insisting on doing their own stunts, Harris would never do his own stunts, no matter how simple they were. Some thought it was because he was too cowardly to do them, or at least was staying "in character" as Zachary Smith. But when Mumy asked him why he never did his own stunts, Harris replied, "Dear boy, never deprive a stuntman of a paycheck."
In my opinion, Harris was a great manipulator, who acted in the shadows to obtain sympathy from the other actors, notably Mumy, who as a child was easily manipulated.
"You pusillanimous pipsqueak!" I was so sad to hear of his passing. I also had a wonderful long conversation with Bob May who played "Robot". He and I sat and laughed for probably 2 hrs at a weird little science fiction convention in San Jose in the mid 2000's. He was a former vaudevillian and the man was hilarious. We had such a fun time together. I feel blessed that he was so open and sharing about this character that he obviously loved so much. Miss you Bob. Thank you for your time.
I so enjoyed this viceo, I'm almost 82 and remember all those actors and the shows they were in. I have watched them since they were on TV in black and white and follow them over and over and still watch them to this day. Got Bless all these wonderful people who brought all of us kids and adults so much entertainment.
Jonathan Harris did a great job as Dr. Zachary Smith. I have watched all three seasons over and over again and still love it . Rest in peace Jonathan Harris.
I was a kid when Lost in Space came out and it was so real to me. Through the years I've never gotten tired of the reruns, then the series came out on DVD, and I'm again watching it now. Johnathan Harris is definitely the scene stealer, so I'm glad you posted this A&E special, thanks.
He was such a scene stealer that Guy Williams and Mark Goddard were getting annoyed as they weren't at the center of attention it was all Jonathon Harris. Harris was also the longest Guest star of any tv show.
There are a handful of actors with voices so distinctive, you can't possibly mistake them for anyone else...and you always get a thrill when you hear them: Burgess Meredith, Angela Lansbury, Casey Kasem, Ricardo Montalbán, Harry Belafonte...and Jonathan Harris. I mentally cast him as a number of characters in books I've read over the years, as his cultured tones seemed to fit them so well. It's sad to have lost him, but he had an amazing run and achieved what few in Hollywood can. Rest easy, sir, and thank you for a lifetime of entertainment.
robert harding Me too and I’m even a few years older than you! In fact at this very moment I’m watching the entire original series through Roku...My favorite show as a kid! ✨🚀🧖🏼♀️🤖🧖🏼♂️🛸👨🏼🚀💫👩🚀👽
@@kevinor6776 - Another 56 yr old here. I loved coming home from school and watching LIS. He lived in a time when people still respected the English language and spoke correctly. I discovered the reboot by Netflix and watched the first season. It was far more serious than the original. I've yet to see a season 2 and still haven't decided if I'd even watch. From what I understand, it's due out this summer (2019). I can say for certain that I don't like the female version of Dr Smith at all. While the original Dr Smith had some redeeming qualities, this new Smith is just pure evil, a sociopath bent on destroying everything in her path. Of course, early on JH played Dr Smith pretty straight and evil, so maybe they have plans for this Smith to evolve in a similar fashion. However, I don't expect the same dynamic character that JH brought to the role. Somehow I just don't see Parker Posey as having the ability to pull that off. It was a wonderful time back when we were just kids. No pressures, no bills to pay, no families to take care of, just having fun and getting lost in space. By the way, I had a big crush on both Penny and Judy.
I am 57 years old, I watched the Lost in space TV show. Dr. Smith was a like crazy doctor. Jonathan Harris was the best actor and made me happy when I was a little boy.
A wonderful time in my life, when my family would sit around a black and white television set to watch Lost in Space. I was 9 when the show opened in 1965. I miss those days.
I miss him. He was an enigma in that he never really got old. Sure... he grew older, naturally, but he never got old. I remember thinking that he just seemed like one of those people who could never die. It was devastating when he finally did but boy did he live it out well with a body of memories for all of us to share and experience together with him even while he's not here in body anymore.
I remember the TV show from my childhood. I got to meet Jonathan Harris at a cable television trade show in Anaheim around 1996. I had my picture taken with him and he signed it for me. Great man!
I grew up watching LIS and Dr. Smith - I’m also in my mid to late 50’s. Some his lines stuck with me through the years to this day. I had the honor to meet Jonathan in the mid 80’s and I could hardly speak I was in such awe of him. I met him once or twice more at cons, along with the rest of the surviving cast. They’re all great and friendly people and continue to see and be with eachother throughout the year.
As a young lady growing up in central FLA. I was mesmerized by Lost in Space, and was thrilled when the opening theme music came through the tv speaker every week !
Such a memorable and brilliant actor, he never had the main leading roles on massive movie series but he is probably more well known and loved just as much or more to his adoring fans
I grew up watching Lost in Space and I remember all the characters it was a wonderful wonderful time they were great cast and it was a great show many of them moved on to other careers but I will never forget that show.
When I was 8 or 9 years old, this was aired on channel 43 in Cleveland, Ohio around 1969. It was aired in the early afternoon and I would run home from school in order to watch 'Lost in Space', as it was syndicated by then. It was my favorite show of all time. RIP Jonathan.
Thank you for posting this, @WilliamAlexander. My late father, film and tv director Sidney Lumet, remembered Jonathan from "A Flag Is Born", as well as from the early days of TV- Kraft Playhouse 90, You are There, etc. . My Dad was a fan of his talent as a dramatic actor, his comedic gifts, and his creativity and tireless work ethic. Plus the Bergson Group had much to be proud of. A Flag Is Born integrated the Baltimore in which it ran in the days of Jim Crow -- the cast felt strongly that a ZIoinist production would not play in a segregated theater. And back in the latre 40s, early 50s, they made a stand and succeeded. It;s a wonderful story, and I'm sure the Harrises were very proud. As his daughter, and as a fan born in the Baby Boomer years, I want you to know how much your beloved friend meant to generations of television watchers -- not just for the political stanf "FLAG" took but for pure enjoyment of his work.. He is simply adored and irreplaceable. LIS , of course, was one of the most wonderful, imaginiative, and goodhearted shows aired. Along with Jack Benny, and I Lovew Lucy, it is one of the 3 shows which my friends and I revere to this day. However, there was one Twilight Zone appearance, where Jonathan played the Doctor -- "Room 28"? I think the title was? I can;t write about it any more, it was too scary. You know which one I mean... Jonathan actually stole that episode -- in fact, he stole every scene in which he was cast, be it TZ, LIS, or his numerous roles. Thank God for his long life and the magic of televison which keeps Jonathan alive forever in our hearts. Thank you, Jonathan Harris -- your fans love you and you bring generations to Shakespeare and to the outer reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful generous man, like Jack Benny-- the opposite of his flawed, but beloved tv persona.
I thought that Twilight Zone episode (“Twenty Two”), was scary as hell too!!! Gave me nightmares. It was shot at television city on video cameras (when they tried to save some money one season), and it gave it a soap opera quality as well as a ‘live’ stage feel. Super eerie and super effective. Harris was incredibly dark and ominous in it. It remains one of my favorites of the series.
Sorry to be so late responding. Life got in the way a bit. Thanks go to Gertrude Harris, Jonathan's wife, who let me know about this video after he passed. I am so happy that YT allowed me to share it with all of you.
So did we, in all Latin America, the mexican actor doubling his voice in Spanish matched absolutely: we always commented the episode at school the day after. RIP Mr Harris.
I loved Lost In Space and couldn't wait every week for a new episode. Jonathan Harris was so great at his voice work that he made the shows he worked that much better. May he rest in peace!
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I grew up with "Lost in Space" and even now watching re-runs of the show (I'm 53) I still laugh aloud at the comedy of Dr.Smith (Mr. Harris). I too think he was a comic genius, without whom the show would not have fared so well.
Actors like this man are no.longer in.existence. He was very very proud man. You could tell he took the craft of acting seriously. It's amazing to think how he turned himself into a well refined well spoken person. Considering he s from this Bronx NY and had that NY drawl that could have very much worked against him during those times. That was truly a massive undertaking and to.achueve such great success at doing it to boot. Overall a very classy guy, a dying breed. Thank you for posting this. A very good look into the career of a genuinely passionate thespian..
A true Gentleman, a solid husband, a genuinely nice man,,, & a great actor.. THANK you :) xxx From a 1960 born Australian who LOVED Lost In Space from the day it was televised :)
@@heli-crewhgs5285 me too such a great actor! I remember hearing in the 1970s as a kid some rumor he'd died early on, just assumed it was true all these years then one day outa curiosity around 2015 I utubed him and happily surprised, discovered he'd lived all these years! that robot usta scare me as a 4 or 5 yr old.. still love the show! RIP Mr Harris
I was fortunate enough to grow up on Lost In Space, Batman and many other great TV shows. Dr. Zachary Smith was always the guy we made fun of as kids and now he's the one we admire the most. Well done Biography.
Jonathan Harris is a legend in my childhood! My brothers and I grew up watching lost in space, and dr. Smith was a popular character with us,we loved him! Thank you Jonathan Harris for making my childhood filled with fond memories! We love you!
i worked one summer at a theater as an apprentice, building and painting props and the stage. Mr . Harris played the role of the Devil in "Damned Yankees" and was a big hit. He was the only actor all summer who came back to our workshop to talk to us about theater and acting and we were all very honored.
jim fortaleza; You have confused Jonathon Harris with Ray Walston. It was the "My Favorite Martian" and 'Mr. Hand" guy that played the Devil in "damn yankees!" Walston should also have a Biography as another great old time actor!
Ray Whittington yes, Ray Walston was in the •film• production of “Damned Yankees”, but Jim was talking about a summer •stage• production. A stage production that he himself had been doing some of the scene shop work for. While I can neither confirm or deny Jim’s claim, I can tell that he is not making the claim you that you seem to think he is.
Jonathan Harris was my favorite actor when I was a child watching Lost in Space on cable KTLA los angeles. My father walked in one time and said "he had better not be your hero"
@@dr.migalitoloveless1651 Yes! The robot too. Also, I loved the family and that interchange. It showed a close family as an under current, but it was there.
Lost in Space seemed so cheaply made but I got up every Saturday and waited for the TV to come on and put this show First in its lineup. It was a highlight of my week. Dr Smith was amazing.
Just out of happenstance I saw this on UA-cam and it has to have been the fastest 44:10 ever. To say that I was one of the millions of fans during the run of the 'Lost in Space' series wouldn't be remarkable, but , to me the memories are a treasure. I know my parents were fans if only because their youngest son could sit still for at least one hour a week! For years since, whenever I hear his voice it would always bring a smile as I recalled those simpler, happy days of a little boy in the 1960s. Thank you, Jonathan, for being the voiceover of my childhood!
he made it a massive success and he's the only one anyone remembers from the show , talking of morons what crap does a moron like you watch ? i doubt you can turn the tv on without outside help or dribbling all over the remote
I was very young watching LOST IN SPACE in the first prime time run. I would play Dr. Smith in grade school and get a fatboy to play the robot. I always knew I was a Dr. Smith-type. As they say in this program, as the scene-stealer in the series... he was the quintessential character actor. For a kid it was wonderful fun. Thanks for sharing, I thought I was the only fan. I loved listening to his humble beginnings and his stellar list of Broadway credits.
Thanks for the upload. Every Wednesday I would rush home from school, do my chores, do my homework, eat supper and my parents would flip the TV to CBS at 7:30 and watch LIS with us. Couldn't wait to see what Jonathan would come up with next. Although I identified more with Will Robinson (we were nearly the same age), Jonathan's interpretation of Dr. Smith is what really fascinated me and kept me coming back week after week. RIP Jonathan Harris. Your talents are greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed.
I'm glad I watched this. I had no idea, as a child in the 70s, that Dr Smith was popular. I didn't watch this show often, but I really enjoyed this character.i never knew anything Jonathan Harris did prior to the show. This was fun to watch.
The great Jonathan Harris,one-third of my childhood triumvarite of beloved Jonathans (along with Winters and Frid).Rest in peace and may you all continue to charm and entertain forever............
It was a great time being a kid in the 60s, they had so many great shows for kids, my favorite shows were gilligan"s Island,the munsters,space ghost,and johnny Quest' But my number one show that i loved with all my heart was LOST IN SPACE! it was on wednesday nights at 730,and would leave you hanging with a cliff hanger scene until next week! and i could hardly wait until next week!but sometimes the announcer would say sorry folks lost in space will be seen in two weeks,and i would be devastated.i still enjoy watching it today,i have every episode on dvd
Richard Joubert I agree with you wholeheartedly. I loved Space Ghost and Johnny Quest then and now. Was there anything better than Saturday morning cartoons, I ask you? I really miss that.
You mentioned about waiting a week to see the next episode. That's what made TV great in a lot of ways then. The anticipation of the next show! And we'd talk about the shows at school and just couldn't wait to see next week's show. Now we have hundreds of channels and the internet, and somehow it just isn't as good.....figure that out.!
Joubert - I remember my family watching it with on Wed. night. Just the last few episodes is all I remember. It was probably on later where I live. No prime time show started before 8 in Pacific time. I remember ads that said 8:00, 7:00 Central. But an hour show starting in the middle of the hour? Never heard of such a thing
I think television was the best route, afterall you reach a wider audience old and young alike.....The wonderful Jonathan Harris was part of my childhood and seeing him on social media now will always evoke happy memories and that is what makes life good and meaningful.....
Thanks for sharing. This biography gives me a new appreciation for Mr. Harris. Harry Smith does a wonderful job of presenting his life's story. I grew up watching "Lost in Space," which debuted when I was only 8 years old, and almost never missed an episode. Jonathan Harris was so perfect for the part of Dr. Smith.
At the start of WW II my Great Uncle was studying Engineering at U of TN. I researched and found his Enlistment Record. His Stated Profession? “Actor/Director.” He became a B-17 Pilot, KIA 6/13/44, week after D-Day.
I loved watching Lost In Space. Jonathan Harris will be missed and remembered. He showed that if you put your mind on a set of goals you can reach them.
Wow! What a great guy. Admitting he is ashamed he didn't have much time for his son. What parent doesn't look back and wish they would have had more time to sit on the floor and play with their children. But the pressure to make something for your children takes that away from us at times. Classy guy!
as a Teen I loved him as Dr. Smith but never knew of the absolute popularity of this Iconic show for Decades after it's ending. as well I had no idea it was due to his Character that this show was so popular and learned decades later that those 3 would make this series what it was ,sadly overshadowing those other cast members
We grew up with Dr Smith in our Living Rooms. What a joy he was to watch, He was quite unique with his Delicate back. And other ailments. He will be missed by Millions of his fans around the world. R.I.P. Jonathan Harris.
Jonathan Harris was such a great actor ! Thanks for posting this, William :) It was so informative and I never got to see this as I am from Melbourne, Australia !
I'm only 19years old and I absolutely love this program I've got the whole box set and thanks to my dad I can happily say I'm one of the many many people that fell inlove with the show as soon as I watched the first episode it broke my heart finding out he past R.I.P dr smith I'll see you when I get up there 💔
Thanks for sharing. Lost in Space was aired here in Argentina in the 60s when I was a child, my grandfather watched it and loved it. Then my sister and I watched the series in 1976 and we loved dr.Smith. We laughed a lot.
I have The Lost In Space collection...love Mr. Smith so much he always doing something, to get himself in trouble...Billy&the Robot and cast members...love them too...thanks for posting this Biography...such a talented man!!!
87 years of life, 63 years of marriage, infinite number of smiles on countless fans' faces. Yes I would say Jonathan Harris' life was a life well lived.
I liked his character in lost in space
A life more meaningful than Irwin Allen.
What a tight wad miserable SOB.
He was a great friend as well. I miss him dearly, especially around the holiday season, when he used to send me a Christmas card, no matter where I was in the world. After awhile, I thought of him more as a family member than someone on a TV show. RIP Jonathan and Gertrude. Miss you both.
I WAS BORN IN 61
BOY I HATED HIM
This made me cry 😢❤
As a star struck kid, I met Jonathan Harris one day while he was shopping at Gelson's market in Encino, CA The guy was totally the way you see him, and I'll never forget it.
Ha! I too have run into two or three actors or musicians randomly in public.
Even Conan said he was Dr Smith....like the good Dr just stayed on after the show 🌹🦋💖😘
He was the real deal and loved his fans. Ironically, very down to earth and not 'lost in space'.
Wow, that is so nifty! 🙂
As a kid in the 60's I LOVED Lost in Space. The space craze was everywhere and the show was extremely looked forward to. Thank you Jonathan for making my childhood better!!!
Also amazing that he helped shape the robot character. That took a lot of depth of thinking to come up with that stuff.
I remember an episode of EMERGENCY where on the intercom u heard...'dr smith ...line 2...Dr Smith line 2....I kept expecting to hear Smith's voice saying OH THE PAIN...OH THE PAIN 😂🤣😅
I met Jonathan Harris at a sci-fi convention about 20 years ago. He said something very profound.
He said that whenever he does a stage performance, each time he performs, he always does it with enthusiasm. Because, no matter how many times he has done it, there's always someone in the audience who is seeing it for the first time.
Are you sure it wasn't instead "Because, you never know? Some mentally deficient gullible as hell person in the audience might actually be impressed ....it COULD happen...you just never know...."
Paraphrased Joe DiMaggio there. When asked towards the end of his career when he was playing hurt why he played every game so hard, "Someone might be there that never saw me play before."
2
Stan Lee used to tell his artists that every issue was somebody's first comic book.
RIGHT ON!
Although near 68 now, and was a teenager THEN - I was far too critical of him, and the show at the time. Now I think of him like other unappreciated actors. Good to hear you people love and miss him, as I do now!😣🤔😀
“Anyone who didn’t like Lost In Space can kiss me bottom.” Jonathan Harris was brilliant. I couldn’t wait for the next episode growing up.
@Roary Calhoun426 I used to know a Rory Calhoun back in the 90's. ...Ever live in Whittier?
I agree, Jonathan Harris was always fun to watch. My brother and I would always watch Lost in Space every week.
Agree
My daddy thought Johnathan Harris was a bit too flamboyant to be on the black and white television in our home. Flamboyant equals... gonna turn the station.
@@curtisrobinson7962 he must have hated Elvis
I met his wife Gertrude in 74-75, I was still in my teens and working in a supply house that served barbers and beauty shops as they were known then, and she was a executive for a hair products company and met her at one of our shows in Lake Tahoe. I remember at a dinner someone asked her if actors were still paid royalties , as lost in space was over and she said you better believe it. I remember what a nice person she was, at that time she had not been to Lake Tahoe before , where our show was and she commented that it was a much younger crowd than Las Vegas in those days. I heard they lived in Encino , outside of LA in the Valley
I had the honor of meeting Jonathan Harris during his 1993 Australian tour. A true gentleman & wonderful actor.
In the mid-'70s my family lived across the street from Jonathan Harris. I never met him, but my sister brought him a bouquet of flowers. He was deeply moved. That's how I'll always think of him - a teddy bear with a brilliantly acerbic character role.
Jonathan Harris is great, and I love him, as someone who watched Lost in Space as a child, but watching this documentary one has to also give some serious credit to Billy Mumy, for being, in a word, a true gentleman, a very generous spirit.
Jonathan introduced me to Bill and he was also very friendly and cordial.
I haven't yet watched this entire biography, but I remember a reminiscence by Billy Mumy, who played Will Robinson on the TV show Lost in Space, that showed how considerate Jonathan Harris actually was to the "lesser lights" who worked on the show. According to Mumy, while other actors would often stoke their egos by insisting on doing their own stunts, Harris would never do his own stunts, no matter how simple they were. Some thought it was because he was too cowardly to do them, or at least was staying "in character" as Zachary Smith. But when Mumy asked him why he never did his own stunts, Harris replied, "Dear boy, never deprive a stuntman of a paycheck."
In my opinion, Harris was a great manipulator, who acted in the shadows to obtain sympathy from the other actors, notably Mumy, who as a child was easily manipulated.
@@diogocatalano9557 pure conjecture. Or projection, perhaps?
Read it again, I said that is my opinion. Actors like John Abbott didn´t like him either,@@Plisken65
@@diogocatalano9557subs like you thought the character was real
"You pusillanimous pipsqueak!"
I was so sad to hear of his passing. I also had a wonderful long conversation with Bob May who played "Robot".
He and I sat and laughed for probably 2 hrs at a weird little science fiction convention in San Jose in the mid 2000's.
He was a former vaudevillian and the man was hilarious. We had such a fun time together. I feel blessed that he was so open and sharing about this character that he obviously loved so much.
Miss you Bob. Thank you for your time.
He was a fine man ... and a great artist ... you will be missed Mr. Harris ... R.I.P
I so enjoyed this viceo, I'm almost 82 and remember all those actors and the shows they were in. I have watched them since they were
on TV in black and white and follow them over and over and still watch them to this day. Got Bless all these wonderful people who brought
all of us kids and adults so much entertainment.
A masterpiece of a gentleman….one of the finest actors ever.
As a kid I loved Lost is Space, my favorite show. The Bronx? I was totally convinced he was British. He was quite a character and a real gentleman.
What a wonderful Bio on his life and career. Such a sweet man.
DON HATED THE DUDE !
Loved him on the show when I was a kid. Seems like the kind of person you want to know in real life too. What a gentleman.
Jonathan Harris did a great job as Dr. Zachary Smith. I have watched all three seasons over and over again and still love it . Rest in peace Jonathan Harris.
I was a kid when Lost in Space came out and it was so real to me. Through the years I've never gotten tired of the reruns, then the series came out on DVD, and I'm again watching it now. Johnathan Harris is definitely the scene stealer, so I'm glad you posted this A&E special, thanks.
He was such a scene stealer that Guy Williams and Mark Goddard were getting annoyed as they weren't at the center of attention it was all Jonathon Harris. Harris was also the longest Guest star of any tv show.
Glad you liked it. Jonathan was a very special guy!
Jonathan Harris was everywhere when I was a kid. Loved Lost In Space!
The Legend!! And a big part of my young life! Rest peacefully Sir you earned it!
HE IS PROBABLY NOT FOR ALL THE BAD STUFF HE DID ON THE JUPITER -2 .
What a great thing to stumble upon, RIP Dr. Smith!
There are a handful of actors with voices so distinctive, you can't possibly mistake them for anyone else...and you always get a thrill when you hear them: Burgess Meredith, Angela Lansbury, Casey Kasem, Ricardo Montalbán, Harry Belafonte...and Jonathan Harris. I mentally cast him as a number of characters in books I've read over the years, as his cultured tones seemed to fit them so well. It's sad to have lost him, but he had an amazing run and achieved what few in Hollywood can. Rest easy, sir, and thank you for a lifetime of entertainment.
You forgot James Earl Jones haha
This guy was a 60 's T V legend to kids like me !! I'm 59 but I still watch this stuff.
robert harding Me too and I’m even a few years older than you! In fact at this very moment I’m watching the entire original series through Roku...My favorite show as a kid! ✨🚀🧖🏼♀️🤖🧖🏼♂️🛸👨🏼🚀💫👩🚀👽
Me too, at records every week right now!
I'm 56 and I feel the same way. Loved him!
@@kevinor6776 - Another 56 yr old here. I loved coming home from school and watching LIS. He lived in a time when people still respected the English language and spoke correctly.
I discovered the reboot by Netflix and watched the first season. It was far more serious than the original. I've yet to see a season 2 and still haven't decided if I'd even watch. From what I understand, it's due out this summer (2019). I can say for certain that I don't like the female version of Dr Smith at all. While the original Dr Smith had some redeeming qualities, this new Smith is just pure evil, a sociopath bent on destroying everything in her path. Of course, early on JH played Dr Smith pretty straight and evil, so maybe they have plans for this Smith to evolve in a similar fashion. However, I don't expect the same dynamic character that JH brought to the role. Somehow I just don't see Parker Posey as having the ability to pull that off.
It was a wonderful time back when we were just kids. No pressures, no bills to pay, no families to take care of, just having fun and getting lost in space. By the way, I had a big crush on both Penny and Judy.
The pain, the pain!
I am 57 years old, I watched the Lost in space TV show. Dr. Smith was a like crazy doctor. Jonathan Harris was the best actor and made me happy when I was a little boy.
RIP Jonathan, thank you for all the wonderful memories watching Dr. Smith during my childhood.
A wonderful time in my life, when my family would sit around a black and white television set to watch Lost in Space. I was 9 when the show opened in 1965. I miss those days.
I miss him. He was an enigma in that he never really got old. Sure... he grew older, naturally, but he never got old. I remember thinking that he just seemed like one of those people who could never die. It was devastating when he finally did but boy did he live it out well with a body of memories for all of us to share and experience together with him even while he's not here in body anymore.
He seemed old on Lost In Space.
What a great tribute to Jonathan Smith.
I remember the TV show from my childhood. I got to meet Jonathan Harris at a cable television trade show in Anaheim around 1996. I had my picture taken with him and he signed it for me. Great man!
I grew up watching LIS and Dr. Smith - I’m also in my mid to late 50’s. Some his lines stuck with me through the years to this day. I had the honor to meet Jonathan in the mid 80’s and I could hardly speak I was in such awe of him. I met him once or twice more at cons, along with the rest of the surviving cast. They’re all great and friendly people and continue to see and be with eachother throughout the year.
Defenetly this was a complete honor for me. Great memories of my childhood and I hope he still traveling in space and never lost in it. RIP Dr. Smith.
As a young lady growing up in central FLA. I was mesmerized by Lost in Space, and was thrilled when the opening theme music came through the tv speaker every week !
Such a memorable and brilliant actor, he never had the main leading roles on massive movie series but he is probably more well known and loved just as much or more to his adoring fans
I grew up watching Lost in Space and I remember all the characters it was a wonderful wonderful time they were great cast and it was a great show many of them moved on to other careers but I will never forget that show.
"OH, DEAR!" "OH, DEAR"!" What an phenomenal person he was. RIP Master of the Mischievous .
When I was 8 or 9 years old, this was aired on channel 43 in Cleveland, Ohio around 1969. It was aired in the early afternoon and I would run home from school in order to watch 'Lost in Space', as it was syndicated by then. It was my favorite show of all time. RIP Jonathan.
Thank you for posting this, @WilliamAlexander. My late father, film and tv director Sidney Lumet, remembered Jonathan from "A Flag Is Born", as well as from the early days of TV- Kraft Playhouse 90, You are There, etc. . My Dad was a fan of his talent as a dramatic actor, his comedic gifts, and his creativity and tireless work ethic. Plus the Bergson Group had much to be proud of. A Flag Is Born integrated the Baltimore in which it ran in the days of Jim Crow -- the cast felt strongly that a ZIoinist production would not play in a segregated theater. And back in the latre 40s, early 50s, they made a stand and succeeded. It;s a wonderful story, and I'm sure the Harrises were very proud. As his daughter, and as a fan born in the Baby Boomer years, I want you to know how much your beloved friend meant to generations of television watchers -- not just for the political stanf "FLAG" took but for pure enjoyment of his work.. He is simply adored and irreplaceable. LIS , of course, was one of the most wonderful, imaginiative, and goodhearted shows aired. Along with Jack Benny, and I Lovew Lucy, it is one of the 3 shows which my friends and I revere to this day. However, there was one Twilight Zone appearance, where Jonathan played the Doctor -- "Room 28"? I think the title was? I can;t write about it any more, it was too scary. You know which one I mean... Jonathan actually stole that episode -- in fact, he stole every scene in which he was cast, be it TZ, LIS, or his numerous roles. Thank God for his long life and the magic of televison which keeps Jonathan alive forever in our hearts. Thank you, Jonathan Harris -- your fans love you and you bring generations to Shakespeare and to the outer reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful generous man, like Jack Benny-- the opposite of his flawed, but beloved tv persona.
I thought that Twilight Zone episode (“Twenty Two”), was scary as hell too!!! Gave me nightmares. It was shot at television city on video cameras (when they tried to save some money one season), and it gave it a soap opera quality as well as a ‘live’ stage feel. Super eerie and super effective. Harris was incredibly dark and ominous in it. It remains one of my favorites of the series.
Sorry to be so late responding. Life got in the way a bit. Thanks go to Gertrude Harris, Jonathan's wife, who let me know about this video after he passed. I am so happy that YT allowed me to share it with all of you.
Born in 1956. I loved Lost in Space. So nice to know he was a great guy in real life.
I HOPE HE WASN'T REALLY THAT WAY ON SHOW .
I grew up watching & adoring Johnathan Harris, & I'm all the better for it. I was crushed when he passed! He made my childhood so much more magical!
That "Waaaaugh!" scream of terror, in itself, was classic TV....
Jonathan Harris, a treasure who will live forever. I'm a child of the 60's, you, and Lost in Space were my favorite. Thank you and God bless you.
So did we, in all Latin America, the mexican actor doubling his voice in Spanish matched absolutely: we always commented the episode at school the day after. RIP Mr Harris.
I DO MISS JONATHON HARRIS! FOR ALL HE ACHIEVED,GOD BLESS YOU SIR AND THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES!
I loved Lost In Space and couldn't wait every week for a new episode. Jonathan Harris was so great at his voice work that he made the shows he worked that much better. May he rest in peace!
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I grew up with "Lost in Space" and even now watching re-runs of the show (I'm 53) I still laugh aloud at the comedy of Dr.Smith (Mr. Harris). I too think he was a comic genius, without whom the show would not have fared so well.
This man, along with the Robot, Captain Kangaroo, Dark Shadows and Sesame Street absolutely MADE my childhood. God Bless him.
Actors like this man are no.longer in.existence. He was very very proud man. You could tell he took the craft of acting seriously. It's amazing to think how he turned himself into a well refined well spoken person. Considering he s from this Bronx NY and had that NY drawl that could have very much worked against him during those times. That was truly a massive undertaking and to.achueve such great success at doing it to boot. Overall a very classy guy, a dying breed. Thank you for posting this. A very good look into the career of a genuinely passionate thespian..
GREAT SHOW!!! ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTORS AND CHARACTER!!! LOST IN SPACE NOT THE SAME WITHOUT HIM!!!
What a lovely tribute.
Thank you for sharing that, William Alexander. I grew up watching "Lost In Space" and Dr. Smith really did make the show!
A true Gentleman, a solid husband, a genuinely nice man,,, & a great actor.. THANK you :)
xxx From a 1960 born Australian who LOVED Lost In Space from the day it was televised :)
SSK9s I always thought that he was a homosexual. He camped it up so naturally.
@@heli-crewhgs5285 yup
@@heli-crewhgs5285 me too such a great actor! I remember hearing in the 1970s as a kid some rumor he'd died early on, just assumed it was true all these years then one day outa curiosity around 2015 I utubed him and happily surprised, discovered he'd lived all these years! that robot usta scare me as a 4 or 5 yr old.. still love the show! RIP Mr Harris
Bill Mummy does a great Johnathan Harris impersonation! I really enjoyed this special.
I was fortunate enough to grow up on Lost In Space, Batman and many other great TV shows. Dr. Zachary Smith was always the guy we made fun of as kids and now he's the one we admire the most. Well done Biography.
Jonathan Harris - Champion and Legend RIP
I met you as a Kid...Thank you...For all the Joy you brought to my family...Much love to You Sir....Jeff
Jonathan Harris is a legend in my childhood! My brothers and I grew up watching lost in space, and dr. Smith was a popular character with us,we loved him! Thank you Jonathan Harris for making my childhood filled with fond memories! We love you!
i worked one summer at a theater as an apprentice, building and painting props and the stage. Mr . Harris played the role of the Devil in "Damned Yankees" and was a big hit. He was the only actor all summer who came back to our workshop to talk to us about theater and acting and we were all very honored.
No
jim fortaleza; You have confused Jonathon Harris with Ray Walston. It was the "My Favorite Martian" and 'Mr. Hand" guy that played the Devil in "damn yankees!" Walston should also have a Biography as another great old time actor!
jim fortaleza
''what are you people, on dope?'' Much love to Mr. Hand.
Ray Whittington yes, Ray Walston was in the •film• production of “Damned Yankees”, but Jim was talking about a summer •stage• production. A stage production that he himself had been doing some of the scene shop work for.
While I can neither confirm or deny Jim’s claim, I can tell that he is not making the claim you that you seem to think he is.
Jonathan Harris was my favorite actor when I was a child watching Lost in Space on cable KTLA los angeles. My father walked in one time and said "he had better not be your hero"
Jonathan was absolutely fantastic. Lost in Space would never have been the same without him. Never fear Smith is here 👍
I guess that's why the original pilot didn't sell. No robot, no Dr Smith. The network that wanted it said it needed something else.
He WAS the show.
@@dr.migalitoloveless1651 Yes! The robot too. Also, I loved the family and that interchange. It showed a close family as an under current, but it was there.
Truer words were never written!
I used to imitate the character Dr. Smith
Lost in space was one of my favorite shows ! And land of the giants!
I've always loved his work. I still miss him.
RIP Jonathan Harris and Burt Reynolds. I miss you both.
Lost in Space seemed so cheaply made but I got up every Saturday and waited for the TV to come on and put this show First in its lineup. It was a highlight of my week. Dr Smith was amazing.
Just out of happenstance I saw this on UA-cam and it has to have been the fastest 44:10 ever. To say that I was one of the millions of fans during the run of the 'Lost in Space' series wouldn't be remarkable, but , to me the memories are a treasure. I know my parents were fans if only because their youngest son could sit still for at least one hour a week! For years since, whenever I hear his voice it would always bring a smile as I recalled those simpler, happy days of a little boy in the 1960s. Thank you, Jonathan, for being the voiceover of my childhood!
Thank you for posting this, took me back to my childhood. What a remarkable talent. RIP, Mr. Harris and thanks for your legacy.
What a great actor and human being! He is sorely missed! Rest in peace, Jonathan!
a true legend , a wonderful cherished part of all our childhoods
he really stole the show !!!
Flappo Spammo He literally stole the show, would have been better had he not.
+Flappo Spammo STOLE is exactly right.. He ruined it as well.
without him it would have been utter crap
+Flappo Spammo He made it crap, unless you just like shows which are for mental morons..
he made it a massive success and he's the only one anyone remembers from the show , talking of morons what crap does a moron like you watch ?
i doubt you can turn the tv on without outside help or dribbling all over the remote
He had gorgeous parents. Gives you an idea where his good looks came from.
I was very young watching LOST IN SPACE in the first prime time run. I would play Dr. Smith in grade school and get a fatboy to play the robot. I always knew I was a Dr. Smith-type. As they say in this program, as the scene-stealer in the series... he was the quintessential character actor. For a kid it was wonderful fun. Thanks for sharing, I thought I was the only fan.
I loved listening to his humble beginnings and his stellar list of Broadway credits.
Dr. Smith drove me crazy as a kid!!! I would get so mad at him. His acting drew me in, profoundly.
Thanks for the upload. Every Wednesday I would rush home from school, do my chores, do my homework, eat supper and my parents would flip the TV to CBS at 7:30 and watch LIS with us. Couldn't wait to see what Jonathan would come up with next. Although I identified more with Will Robinson (we were nearly the same age), Jonathan's interpretation of Dr. Smith is what really fascinated me and kept me coming back week after week. RIP Jonathan Harris. Your talents are greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed.
Wonderful actor. Watching the whole series right now, loving every minute! (59yrs old).
Wow, what a great biography of j. Harris. Thank you so much.
He died, when he went to hospital for his _aching back!_ He died in character... Forever beloved!
I'm glad I watched this. I had no idea, as a child in the 70s, that Dr Smith was popular. I didn't watch this show often, but I really enjoyed this character.i never knew anything Jonathan Harris did prior to the show. This was fun to watch.
How lovely that you knew him. Thanks for posting it.
The great Jonathan Harris,one-third of my childhood triumvarite of beloved Jonathans (along with Winters and Frid).Rest in peace and may you all continue to charm and entertain forever............
It was a great time being a kid in the 60s, they had so many great shows for kids, my favorite shows were gilligan"s Island,the munsters,space ghost,and johnny Quest' But my number one show that i loved with all my heart was LOST IN SPACE! it was on wednesday nights at 730,and would leave you hanging with a cliff hanger scene until next week! and i could hardly wait until next week!but sometimes the announcer would say sorry folks lost in space will be seen in two weeks,and i would be devastated.i still enjoy watching it today,i have every episode on dvd
oh yeah, we loved johnny quest great cartoon
Richard Joubert I agree with you wholeheartedly. I loved Space Ghost and Johnny Quest then and now. Was there anything better than Saturday morning cartoons, I ask you? I really miss that.
@@faithcastillo9597 Indeed . Cartoons used to be a treat!
You mentioned about waiting a week to see the next episode. That's what made TV great in a lot of ways then. The anticipation of the next show! And we'd talk about the shows at school and just couldn't wait to see next week's show. Now we have hundreds of channels and the internet, and somehow it just isn't as good.....figure that out.!
Joubert - I remember my family watching it with on Wed. night. Just the last few episodes is all I remember. It was probably on later where I live. No prime time show started before 8 in Pacific time. I remember ads that said 8:00, 7:00 Central. But an hour show starting in the middle of the hour? Never heard of such a thing
I think television was the best route, afterall you reach a wider audience old and young alike.....The wonderful Jonathan Harris was part of my childhood and seeing him on social media now will always evoke happy memories and that is what makes life good and meaningful.....
Hi good old days ln the 60s
Lost In Space was part of my earliest memories. Thanks for uploading this. Dr Smith was my favourite character after the robot.
Thankyou very much for posting William. I met Jonathan when he toured Australia in 1994.
He was one of the reasons the mid 60's was such a memorable time for me!!
Thanks for sharing. This biography gives me a new appreciation for Mr. Harris. Harry Smith does a wonderful job of presenting his life's story. I grew up watching "Lost in Space," which debuted when I was only 8 years old, and almost never missed an episode. Jonathan Harris was so perfect for the part of Dr. Smith.
At the start of WW II my Great Uncle was studying Engineering at U of TN. I researched and found his Enlistment Record. His Stated Profession? “Actor/Director.” He became a B-17 Pilot, KIA 6/13/44, week after D-Day.
I’m so happy for 😆 Jonathan..he lived out his dreams & was beloved by the world 👏🏽
besides lost in space he was such a great actor and a real nice man i had the pleasure of meeting him R.I.P Mr Harris you will be missed and loved
I loved watching Lost In Space. Jonathan Harris will be missed and remembered. He showed that if you put your mind on a set of goals you can reach them.
Wow! What a great guy. Admitting he is ashamed he didn't have much time for his son. What parent doesn't look back and wish they would have had more time to sit on the floor and play with their children. But the pressure to make something for your children takes that away from us at times. Classy guy!
as a Teen I loved him as Dr. Smith but never knew of the absolute popularity of this Iconic show for Decades after it's ending. as well I had no idea it was due to his Character that this show was so popular and learned decades later that those 3 would make this series what it was ,sadly overshadowing those other cast members
We grew up with Dr Smith in our Living Rooms. What a joy he was to watch, He was quite unique with his Delicate back. And other ailments. He will be missed by Millions of his fans around the world. R.I.P. Jonathan Harris.
Jonathan Harris was such a great actor ! Thanks for posting this, William :) It was so informative and I never got to see this as I am from Melbourne, Australia !
Started watching Lost in Space in England in the late 80's as an 18 yr old. Loved Dr.Smith ever since,my favourite lovable villian,Rest in Peace Sir.
Thanks so much for this biography on Jonathan Harris. I enjoyed watching every minute of this, he was a wonderful actor:)))
Johnathan makes me smile, and then chuckle.
I'm only 19years old and I absolutely love this program I've got the whole box set and thanks to my dad I can happily say I'm one of the many many people that fell inlove with the show as soon as I watched the first episode it broke my heart finding out he past R.I.P dr smith I'll see you when I get up there 💔
No shit he passed away if you are just enjoying his acting at 19 😏
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I'm impressed by you, Dylan. I'm glad you have enjoyed the show as much as people of my generation have enjoyed it. It was a great time for us.
Thanks for sharing. Lost in Space was aired here in Argentina in the 60s when I was a child, my grandfather watched it and loved it. Then my sister and I watched the series in 1976 and we loved dr.Smith. We laughed a lot.
He was a brilliant actor, who just love to be... an actor !
Thanks Dr Smith !
an actor
I have The Lost In Space collection...love Mr. Smith so much he always doing something, to get himself in trouble...Billy&the Robot and cast members...love them too...thanks for posting this Biography...such a talented man!!!
Class! Hollywood can only dream of having men like this nowadays!! RIP Dr. Smith!
What a legend!