I read he and his wife were avid nudists and you might find them answering the door that way if you dropped by. I never thought anything less of them, thought it was a real hoot!
@@debramorey5810 that sounds like it's a blast but I don't think I'd want to see Jim Backus in the nude. I just grew up on Gilligan's Island I Dream of Jeannie Bewitched is Dick Van Dyke Show etcetera but I always thought Jim Backus was sort of a lovable amiable dude
Too bad that today's television producers, writers, and audience have the loss of this caliber of quality, ingenuity, and creative genius. I really miss this level of intelligence and entertainment in my living room. Thanks, Jim, for all of the wonderful characters that you have portrayed in your most illustrious career. It was a very good life, indeed!
im 14 years old and my dad recently bought the first season of gilligan's island which i'd never heard of, it is now one of my favourite shows, and thurston howell the 3rd is my favorite charachter, he will be greatly missed by me :( .
I cannot add any words more touching and loving than these people below. But from my heart, Mr Backus you gave and still give me hours of laughter and memories I cherish. Thank you and God bless you. RIP.
Many years late to this party, but I have to give my two cents. My God, back in the day when actors had class and character! RIP Jim Backus, aka Thurston Howell III, aka Mr. Magoo! May your riches in Heaven exceed those of your wildest earthly dreams. :)
Jim Backus died on July 03, 1989, approximately 4 years afetr this was filmed. He contracted pnemonia and that combined with complications from Parkinson's Disease did him in. RIP Mr. Backus.
I was well into my teens before I realized that Scrooge didn't have Christmas dinner with the Cratchit's in any other version. It's amazing that Charles Dickens got that wrong.
@wnettles very true! story lines of the past were so simple, even silly, yet, the caliber of the performers like Backus, Fred Gwyenn, Bob Crane, Don Knotts, and many others made those shows so great. today the trash on TV is pittiful, so PC, yet forever trying to condition us to think a certain way. once in a while when I view the old shows I will hear characters say thing we would never hear on TV today... these shows I watch on DVD or on line. TV is so bad now I gave up the service years ago.
Hope you're resting easy, Jim. I'm only 15, but I swear I've seen just about every episode of Gilligan's Island, thanks to my dad, and I still absolutely love the show. Hope you're having a blast with Teddy up in Heaven
so much warmth & kindness from him. hilarious on alan young radio show. added so much to Gilligan's island with humor, ad libs. episodes had so much niceness to them. Mr magoo Christmas great empathy, depth of feelings. good god bless his soul!
In addition to his playing Mr. Howell and Mr. Magoo, Jim Backus also played James Dean's father in "Rebel Without A Cause," Judge Bradley Stevens in "I Married Joan" in the 1950s, and Julius Dithers, Dagwood's boss, on "Blondie" in the late 1960s.
He also portrayed the militia leader in 1979's "Angel's Revenge." "I detect the liver-spotted hand of Aaron Spelling is behind this." =) - Crow T. Robot, "Mystery Science Theater 3000 - S7, Ep.22 - Angel's Revenge"
During Backus' time on TV we had so many good actors who were class acts. Sex was not always the number one issue. Neither was greed. Respect of a fellow man was imperative. I don't watch new movies today. I prefer these old shows and I am not an old man yet. I just like decency with a theme that means something good. Reagan, Backus, John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Grace Kelly, plus so many more are all gone now. And so few actors of today show any character. A pity.
+Craig Wolf One of my favorites was when it LOOKED like they would get rescued. And Mr. Howell with enthusiasm screamed: "My money!" and Mrs H. screamed with enthusiasm: "My mother!" And Mr. Howell lost his enthusiasm over being rescued and sadly groaned: "Luvy, you had to ruin it."
Enjoy the show. When you get to be 40, you'll still be enjoying it. It's a classic that lasts and lasts. Hope you are able to get the other seasons someday soon.
I loved him as Mr. Howell. I'll never forget the episode where he was dressed as a burglar after attempting to steal something from the professor and he said something like "you just can't trust people anymore". He was hilarious!
Out of every character in Gilligan's Island, I always found Mr. Howell to be the funniest. I mean he's a grown man who sleeps with a teddy bear even though he's happily married! LOL thats so priceless!
I met Dawn Wells several years ago, she said that during the filming of GI , Jim would invite her and others out to lunch then skip out without paying, everyone thought it was hilarious that he was like Mr.Howell in real life
Let us not forget his portrayal of the honorable judge " Bradley J. Stevens " on the " I Married Joan " sitcom series 1952-55, starring " Joan Davis ".
Backus was joking! He ripped up on everybody, including himself. He did such a good job of playing the elitist "Mr. Howell" as well as big shot executives in other roles that people thought that was his true personality. Yet, he was more like the clerk at the local grocery store. Decent man. God rest him.
Would have been really funny to have Jim walking around his own house, picking up knickknacks , doddering around from room to room, speaking in that Mr. Magoo voice HAAHAHAhaha! Seems like a sweet guy. Rest In Peace, Jim.
Fun Fact: His TV wife Natalie Shafer didn't like at first because she thought that he was being unprofessional as an actor because he ad-libbed most of his lines, and eventually she begun to compete with him to do the best ad-libbing and she started to take a liking to him and remained good friends.
Truly love the interview but I do wonder if Mr. Backus had a small stroke only because his speech seem a tad impaired. Great character actor and voice actor. Miss seeing his ilk in Hollywood. Thanks for the memories.
But they actually were rescued-- twice (in 1978 and again in 1979). I believe Mr. Howell ended up buying out the other six castaways and turned the island into a vacation resort.
Wow I see the clip actually came from my local television station wivb here in Buffalo I do remember watching this show it was on like at 11:30 at night after the news I believe it was Saturday nights
i know its a great show, i want to get the second and third season! except they don't sell it in australia :( but hopefully it will sell on ebay some day
I once wrote a short script back in the 80s and had a part for JB as a bachelor uncle who liked to give out advice, smoke cigars, and fish for carp. Then he died. :(
The late great Thurston Howell. I could never come to grips how much he reminded me of the ample aviator Tyler Fitzgerald. Mix me a pitcher of Old Fashions boy. He was a natural born flier. Truly missed.
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying although his Gilligan's Island character was great, my favorite character he played was James Dean's father in "Rebel Without A Cause" I just find it a more "human" character than Thurston Howell III.
You might enjoy one of his earliest performances as Smoky the Genie in this 1948 Bugs Bunny cartoon, "A-Lad-in His Lamp" -- /watch?v=c0vd4askdXk&t=0m57s
@k1rtm0han Knowing what Kay Griggs said about some of the "elite", sleeping with a teddy bear... I love the comments that I remember, about his disdain for "Yale men" (skull n bones).
I also remember when Jim Backus appeared in the 1978 Walt Disney semi live action cartoon movie called Pete's Dragon. He sure revamped/recalled or resurrected the memory about when I first became a complete klutz. 🐉 😄 😳 😀 😆 🤣 🐉
Mr Magoo! was a funny muther Fucker!! this small cartoon clip,is Classic MAGOO!! I Love it!! I'm sitting here! saw that and i had to smile and laugh,an Old classement , a dam Fox!! HAHHAAAA!!!! blind as a BAT! heart of gold!!!!
@@bletheringfool he may well have been suffering from Parkinson's but it also sounds like he might have had a stroke. Always love mr. Magoo and Thurston Howell the 3rd
RIP Jim Backus "Thurston Howell III", Alan Hale Jr. "the Skipper", Natalie Schafer "Mrs. Howell", Bob Denver "Gilligan", Russell Johnson "the professor", & Dawn Wells "Maryann". Tina Louise "Ginger" is the only one still alive today.
yep him doing the voice for Mr, MIGoo? sorry for the spelling But he did a good job when i saw that as a kid in re-runs. But Gilligan's Island would not have been the same, I think Mary-Anne is the only one living still. Sniff. I miss those days.
I'm not sure how "appropriate" it was for him to be on _Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous_ since he was screwed out of residuals for the work he did on _Gilligan's Island._
There will never be another Jim Backus.
Right On !! He was a true one of a kind !!
I used to take care of his pool in the late 1970's, quite a guy!!!
Carlos Carpinteyro you lucky guy , having seen him in person . I wish I had that privilege.
Awesomeness!
I read he and his wife were avid nudists and you might find them answering the door that way if you dropped by. I never thought anything less of them, thought it was a real hoot!
@@debramorey5810 that sounds like it's a blast but I don't think I'd want to see Jim Backus in the nude. I just grew up on Gilligan's Island I Dream of Jeannie Bewitched is Dick Van Dyke Show etcetera but I always thought Jim Backus was sort of a lovable amiable dude
Robert Longwill He seemed to be a nice guy.
Too bad that today's television producers, writers, and audience have the loss of this caliber of quality, ingenuity, and creative genius. I really miss this level of intelligence and entertainment in my living room. Thanks, Jim, for all of the wonderful characters that you have portrayed in your most illustrious career. It was a very good life, indeed!
im 14 years old and my dad recently bought the first season of gilligan's island which i'd never heard of, it is now one of my favourite shows, and thurston howell the 3rd is my favorite charachter, he will be greatly missed by me :( .
You’re 27 now, how’s life been treating you ?
@@georgejetson1025 He up in Heaven , with Jim . He Overdosed on Meth . RIP
I cry when I watch this
An incredible and memorable actor.
I cannot add any words more touching and loving than these people below. But from my heart, Mr Backus you gave and still give me hours of laughter
and memories I cherish. Thank you and God bless you. RIP.
I loved Mr. Magoo when I was a child. It had me rolling as a kid. Still makes me laugh. Miss the old shows. ...
Many years late to this party, but I have to give my two cents.
My God, back in the day when actors had class and character!
RIP Jim Backus, aka Thurston Howell III, aka Mr. Magoo! May your riches in Heaven exceed those of your wildest earthly dreams. :)
Ah...great clip! Jim Backus was indeed very talented, but very humble, too. :)
God bless and rest in peace Mr. Backus.
Jim Backus died on July 03, 1989, approximately 4 years afetr this was filmed. He contracted pnemonia and that combined with complications from Parkinson's Disease did him in. RIP Mr. Backus.
Mr Magoo Christmas Carol is the best holiday movie ever. Well done
Yes, absolutely. It was my favorite. The magnificent songs!!! It was like a Broadway musical. So glad to read what you wrote here.
I was going to post the same comment until I saw yours. Of the many versions, of the Christmas Carole, Mr. McGoo is still my favorite.
I was well into my teens before I realized that Scrooge didn't have Christmas dinner with the Cratchit's in any other version. It's amazing that Charles Dickens got that wrong.
Yes!
Among him numerous career accomplishments was his role in "Rebel Without a Cause."
Anyone remember his cameo in the Brady Bunch Grand Canyon episode as the old prospector?
Don't forget too towards the end of the Brady Bunch series he played Mr Matthews who worked where Mike worked and gave Mike the pool table
yep I sure do also Mrs Howell (Natalie Shaefer ) also made a cameo appearence as a client for Mike whom Cindy believed she was a talent scout.
He will be missed R.I.P Jim we love you
Linda Bentley a great actor and comedian.
He & Joan are back together again!
One of the great comedy and character actors. Thanks for the memories, Jim....
@wnettles very true! story lines of the past were so simple, even silly, yet, the caliber of the performers like Backus, Fred Gwyenn, Bob Crane, Don Knotts, and many others made those shows so great. today the trash on TV is pittiful, so PC, yet forever trying to condition us to think a certain way. once in a while when I view the old shows I will hear characters say thing we would never hear on TV today... these shows I watch on DVD or on line. TV is so bad now I gave up the service years ago.
What a class act. Times have really changed!
Some of the best TV you'll ever watch -compared to todays crap!Good for you.
One of the most beloved stars of all time--miss you Jim!!
R.I.P Jim, Thanks for the years of laughter!!!!! (;->)
Hope you're resting easy, Jim. I'm only 15, but I swear I've seen just about every episode of Gilligan's Island, thanks to my dad, and I still absolutely love the show. Hope you're having a blast with Teddy up in Heaven
so much warmth & kindness from him. hilarious on alan young radio show. added so much to Gilligan's island with humor, ad libs. episodes had so much niceness to them. Mr magoo Christmas great empathy, depth of feelings. good god bless his soul!
In addition to his playing Mr. Howell and Mr. Magoo, Jim Backus also played James Dean's father in "Rebel Without A Cause," Judge Bradley Stevens in "I Married Joan" in the 1950s, and Julius Dithers, Dagwood's boss, on "Blondie" in the late 1960s.
He also portrayed the militia leader in 1979's "Angel's Revenge."
"I detect the liver-spotted hand of Aaron Spelling is behind this." =)
- Crow T. Robot, "Mystery Science Theater 3000 - S7, Ep.22 - Angel's Revenge"
During Backus' time on TV we had so many good actors who were class acts. Sex was not always the number one issue. Neither was greed. Respect of a fellow man was imperative. I don't watch new movies today. I prefer these old shows and I am not an old man yet. I just like decency with a theme that means something good. Reagan, Backus, John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Grace Kelly, plus so many more are all gone now. And so few actors of today show any character. A pity.
mr.howell u are the best and multi talented
+Craig Wolf One of my favorites was when it LOOKED like they would get rescued. And Mr. Howell with enthusiasm screamed: "My money!" and Mrs H. screamed with enthusiasm: "My mother!" And Mr. Howell lost his enthusiasm over being rescued and sadly groaned: "Luvy, you had to ruin it."
He was pure gold as Mr. Howell!!
Enjoy the show. When you get to be 40, you'll still be enjoying it. It's a classic that lasts and lasts. Hope you are able to get the other seasons someday soon.
God Bless Jim Backus.
He was on my fav show, GI. I miss him.
I loved him as Mr. Howell. I'll never forget the episode where he was dressed as a burglar after attempting to steal something from the professor and he said something like "you just can't trust people anymore".
He was hilarious!
I always get a laugh when I think of this man and always will
This made me cry:(
Jim Backus is the voice of the Genie in the Bugs Bunny Cartoon "A Lad in his Lamp" it's up here on youtube. It's still fun to watch.
What a wonderful performer -- he is missed.
Thank you for all those great memories.
Pure genius!
One of the BEST!
Out of every character in Gilligan's Island, I always found Mr. Howell to be the funniest. I mean he's a grown man who sleeps with a teddy bear even though he's happily married! LOL thats so priceless!
An iconic star!
I met Dawn Wells several years ago, she said that during the filming of GI , Jim would invite her and others out to lunch then skip out without paying, everyone thought it was hilarious that he was like Mr.Howell in real life
Let us not forget his portrayal of the honorable judge " Bradley J. Stevens " on the " I Married Joan " sitcom series 1952-55, starring " Joan Davis ".
Whoa, extra credit for remembering that role!
I thought he was GREAT on that show!
My favorite role of his.
Joan died and the show ended way too soon.
I like how at the end the speaker builds up the dramatic ending:
*dramatic music* "the good guy-"
hits a wall.
he has a very unique voice, i don't think anyone could perfect his voices
Mr Howell!......lol.....wonderful interview! ..
He was on Fox Late Night in 1988, a year before his death.
He still looked good, considering he was ship wrecked for years.
Thank you Henny!
Jim Backus truly created a memorable character in Thurston Howell III.
A great performance in Rebel Without A Cause. A Hollywood couple who had true class!! He put a smile on your face.
One of the most funniest man that I've ever seen on television James KCMO
One of the greatest character actors. Wonderful voice. R.I.P. Thanks for putting this up :-)
MR. MAGOO 4EVER
thanx mate, this is great comedy!
Mister Magoo were his best performances.
I wish I could have meet all the cast in a comic con or something.
I met Dawn Wells in Hollywood, she is very very nice.
The Real Jimmy Hens and she's still smok'n hot!
Backus was joking! He ripped up on everybody, including himself. He did such a good job of playing the elitist "Mr. Howell" as well as big shot executives in other roles that people thought that was his true personality. Yet, he was more like the clerk at the local grocery store. Decent man. God rest him.
I met Sherwood and Dawn at the Hollywood Star ceremony. What an event that was, the Bradys were there too, Chris, Cindy and Florence.
Bring back! Mr magoo!!
Would have been really funny to have Jim walking around his own house, picking up knickknacks , doddering around from room to room, speaking in that Mr. Magoo voice HAAHAHAhaha!
Seems like a sweet guy. Rest In Peace, Jim.
Fun Fact: His TV wife Natalie Shafer didn't like at first because she thought that he was being unprofessional as an actor because he ad-libbed most of his lines, and eventually she begun to compete with him to do the best ad-libbing and she started to take a liking to him and remained good friends.
Truly love the interview but I do wonder if Mr. Backus had a small stroke only because his speech seem a tad impaired. Great character actor and voice actor. Miss seeing his ilk in Hollywood. Thanks for the memories.
His health was declining due to Parkinson's disease. His diction was also being affected.
But they actually were rescued-- twice (in 1978 and again in 1979). I believe Mr. Howell ended up buying out the other six castaways and turned the island into a vacation resort.
Wow I see the clip actually came from my local television station wivb here in Buffalo I do remember watching this show it was on like at 11:30 at night after the news I believe it was Saturday nights
ROADHOG!!!!!!!😂😂😂😂 Thanks for all the good memeories Mr Jim.....
i know its a great show, i want to get the second and third season!
except they don't sell it in australia :(
but hopefully it will sell on ebay some day
I once wrote a short script back in the 80s and had a part for JB as a bachelor uncle who liked to give out advice, smoke cigars, and fish for carp. Then he died. :(
The thing l liked about him , you always knew he was a better guy than he pretended to be .
I liked his portrayal of Brad Stevens on I Married Joan!
Mr. Magoo !!!
The late great Thurston Howell. I could never come to grips how much he reminded me of the ample aviator Tyler Fitzgerald. Mix me a pitcher of Old Fashions boy. He was a natural born flier. Truly missed.
I love it! To the Reagan's: "Can I come over and borrow a cup of money?"
PRICELESS!!!
Jay Flitton I love "There goes the neighborhood! "
Mr Backus and his longtime wife Henny were a match made in heaven. A wonderfully happy marriage and they wrote a couple of very funny books together.
He did the voice for a Genie in an episode of Bugs Bunny.
Good one!! Glad you brought it up!!
Mr. Magoo forever .....
Magoo dressed as Gilligan over his fireplace!
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying although his Gilligan's Island character was great, my favorite character he played was James Dean's father in "Rebel Without A Cause" I just find it a more "human" character than Thurston Howell III.
He was also the new car salesman. On the Jack Benny Show April 24 1949..hallarious! Dynaflexsuperjetturbovasculator!
He could do it all ..comedy...drama....he was all around good.
You might enjoy one of his earliest performances as Smoky the Genie in this 1948 Bugs Bunny cartoon, "A-Lad-in His Lamp" -- /watch?v=c0vd4askdXk&t=0m57s
@k1rtm0han Knowing what Kay Griggs said about some of the "elite", sleeping with a teddy bear... I love the comments that I remember, about his disdain for "Yale men" (skull n bones).
The narrator on this is really good🙂
RIP Thurston Howell III
I also remember when Jim Backus appeared in the 1978 Walt Disney semi live action cartoon movie called Pete's Dragon. He sure revamped/recalled or resurrected the memory about when I first became a complete klutz. 🐉 😄 😳 😀 😆 🤣 🐉
Mr Magoo! was a funny muther Fucker!! this small cartoon clip,is Classic MAGOO!!
I Love it!! I'm sitting here! saw that and i had to smile and laugh,an Old classement , a dam Fox!! HAHHAAAA!!!! blind as a BAT! heart of gold!!!!
He looked and sounded MUCH older than a man who was only 71 or 72 at the time f this interview.
I believe he was suffering from parkinsons towards the end
@@bletheringfool he may well have been suffering from Parkinson's but it also sounds like he might have had a stroke. Always love mr. Magoo and Thurston Howell the 3rd
i hope so. my dad said he will do anything to get it hehe.
Did he ever get them?
It would be nice if I could hear the narration over the too loud music.
Jim Backus also did the voi- ce of Smokey The Genie in t he Bugs Bunny cartoon A La d In His Lamp.
Ann had a returning role in MASH too--
RIP Jim Backus "Thurston Howell III", Alan Hale Jr. "the Skipper", Natalie Schafer "Mrs. Howell", Bob Denver "Gilligan", Russell Johnson "the professor", & Dawn Wells "Maryann". Tina Louise "Ginger" is the only one still alive today.
Why do his eyes look so different than they did on Gilligan's island???
yep him doing the voice for Mr, MIGoo? sorry for the spelling But he did a good job when i saw that as a kid in re-runs. But Gilligan's Island would not have been the same, I think Mary-Anne is the only one living still. Sniff. I miss those days.
Oh god. Jimmy Backus looks the epitome of the 1960's neighbor sitting out in his yard or on his porch. Where did the time go? I'm near dead now.
I'm not sure how "appropriate" it was for him to be on _Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous_ since he was screwed out of residuals for the work he did on _Gilligan's Island._
maxcohen13 it was "appropriate" because he was rich and famous.
It was very difficult to understand anything he said.
Dose anyone rember mr mogoo tje cartoon he was the voice
Used some of Updike's catch phrases in Looney Tunes 'A Lad in His Lamp'. " Heavens to GIMBALS" anyone? 🤓😎✌🏻