Buono appeared on the Carson show at Christmas time (I believe it was an annual appearance). One year he began, "It's Christmas time, not once again, but still." Even as a young teen, I was instantly riveted by this line. It stuck with me and now is my family's Christmas greeting / meme. I even made up t-shirts when the kids were little depicting this line. A once in a lifetime thought. Does anyone have any idea if this Tonight Show appearance is online anywhere?
A wonderful, versatile actor...he left us way too soon. The twinkle in his eye always made me think that he was truly enjoying what he did, regardless of the role. I still watch anything with him in the cast.
(continued) After the show, he spent a couple of hours answering questions on stage, then hanging out with theatre students in his dressing room. The following morning, he showed up ON HIS OWN TIME, to our campus, set up court on a lawn outside the theatre, and regaled a handful of lucky students with anecdotes and advice. He listened attentively to our concerns and offered warm encouragement. I will never forget him. What a man he was!
I was delighted to find this. I met your uncle when he performed his one man show at Miami Dade Community College around 1973. I recall he was ill with a cold and few audience members had shown up for his performance. I was one of several student actors who cancelled rehearsal in order to "paper" the house. The entire audience must have been 10 people. In spite of this, he gave a brilliant and memorable performance. (continued)
Loved him in so many things over the years, it was great to relive many of them here. He was a great guest on Johnny Carson and I still play my original LP of Heavy whenever I am fighting my own weight.
Victor Buono was a terribly under-rated comic. I'm a stand up comic as well and I've turned so many people on to Victors HEAVY album who never even knew that side of him existed. There was genius in the man.
What a very talented actor he was. I still enjoy watching his performances, when I see him in movies or tv shows. What a nice tribute you've made to your uncle.
the word that fitted him most was "smooth". A never plussed, always with the right line genius who won hearts by his undaunted self control. Could be funny, dangerous, sympathetic, grandfatherly, or child-like. A pleasure to watch.
Thank you for this tribute. He was a wonderful actor. I wish that I could have seen his Falstaff. Somewhere I have the priceless clip of his exorcist on the odd couple.
I LOVED your uncle, He was always a favorite and he left us much too young. I enjoy watching him in anything he did and was the consummate actor. I was very sad 26 years ago today and still sad so many years later.
Couldn't help but post a word about this great man. Loved him in everything he did. I remember hearing him recite "I Am" and was totally overcome.
A few years ago I came across his book "It Could be Verse" and is one of my prized books.You should be very proud that you knew him. We can only adore him from afar. Blessed rest Mr. Buono... DF
Does anyone know where I could get a copy of his classic "Fat Attack" poem he performed on the Tonight Show back in the 70s? (This was about the time he played Taft in "Backstairs At the White House")
This is so moving. He was so lovely & entertaining, & VERY attractive. Loved him in "The Strangler", too. He made a pedestrian creep movie sing with pathos.
I still think of him, too. What a lovely and brilliant man he was. I'm just sorry I wasn't born a wee bit earlier in order to enjoy more of what he had to offer. A copy of "It Could be Verse" dog-eared, tattered, much the worse for wear but much-loved nevertheless, still holds a place among my favorite books. Thanks so much for sharing memories of your uncle.
A nice tribute to a very talented actor who left us too soon. He was always a joy to watch because you could see that he enjoyed acting. One of the great character actors of the past 50 years.
Wayne, I am also a fan of your uncle's work. He was a famous villain in Wild wild West that was not hated by anyone. A great performance. He also plaied in Man of Atlantis. That makes him known in Europe.
From what I read Victor and Michael Dunn were 2 exceptional people gone too early and live in our memory.
Thank you for your kind comments! I too, thought those particular episodes were quite funny! It's always nice hearing from others who share in the same joy he brought. Most definitely, Victor was very special.
Buono appeared on the Carson show at Christmas time (I believe it was an annual appearance). One year he began, "It's Christmas time, not once again, but still." Even as a young teen, I was instantly riveted by this line. It stuck with me and now is my family's Christmas greeting / meme. I even made up t-shirts when the kids were little depicting this line. A once in a lifetime thought. Does anyone have any idea if this Tonight Show appearance is online anywhere?
thechsvideos 1 month ago
Loved him as a villain on both the Wild Wild West and also Batman (in color).
mftepera 3 months ago
A wonderful, versatile actor...he left us way too soon. The twinkle in his eye always made me think that he was truly enjoying what he did, regardless of the role. I still watch anything with him in the cast.
barztool 3 months ago
My two favorite roles he played were as Mr. Lovelace on "The Odd Couple" and as Sam Hollis in "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte".
primogennaio 4 months ago
(continued) After the show, he spent a couple of hours answering questions on stage, then hanging out with theatre students in his dressing room. The following morning, he showed up ON HIS OWN TIME, to our campus, set up court on a lawn outside the theatre, and regaled a handful of lucky students with anecdotes and advice. He listened attentively to our concerns and offered warm encouragement. I will never forget him. What a man he was!
amageingrace 5 months ago
I was delighted to find this. I met your uncle when he performed his one man show at Miami Dade Community College around 1973. I recall he was ill with a cold and few audience members had shown up for his performance. I was one of several student actors who cancelled rehearsal in order to "paper" the house. The entire audience must have been 10 people. In spite of this, he gave a brilliant and memorable performance. (continued)
amageingrace 5 months ago
Loved him in so many things over the years, it was great to relive many of them here. He was a great guest on Johnny Carson and I still play my original LP of Heavy whenever I am fighting my own weight.
jeffandjune 9 months ago
he was great, I saw him on wild wild west.
morningbirdfeeder 10 months ago
Victor Buono was a terribly under-rated comic. I'm a stand up comic as well and I've turned so many people on to Victors HEAVY album who never even knew that side of him existed. There was genius in the man.
taosimplicity 1 year ago
What a very talented actor he was. I still enjoy watching his performances, when I see him in movies or tv shows. What a nice tribute you've made to your uncle.
Enjoyed it.
eddillion 1 year ago
the word that fitted him most was "smooth". A never plussed, always with the right line genius who won hearts by his undaunted self control. Could be funny, dangerous, sympathetic, grandfatherly, or child-like. A pleasure to watch.
diddymuck 1 year ago
Thank you for this tribute. He was a wonderful actor. I wish that I could have seen his Falstaff. Somewhere I have the priceless clip of his exorcist on the odd couple.
fibmann 1 year ago
I like Victor Buono very much. Thank you!
pompeyocayo2 1 year ago
I wish somebody could find video of his "I AM" and post it. Some people Rant and Rave, he just SHOWED what was important.
LeoAutodidact 2 years ago
I LOVED your uncle, He was always a favorite and he left us much too young. I enjoy watching him in anything he did and was the consummate actor. I was very sad 26 years ago today and still sad so many years later.
TheSpindles 3 years ago
Couldn't help but post a word about this great man. Loved him in everything he did. I remember hearing him recite "I Am" and was totally overcome.
A few years ago I came across his book "It Could be Verse" and is one of my prized books.You should be very proud that you knew him. We can only adore him from afar. Blessed rest Mr. Buono... DF
fishville315129 3 years ago
@fishville315129 I have 2 copies of It Could be Verse, so I can loan one out. I have it memorised so not really worried about it.
episkipos 2 years ago
victor was a great actor,i have most of his movies on dvd and vhs.R.I .P victor.
georgelee43211 3 years ago
victor was cool.i love his work,he's was a very gifted man.
georgelee43211 3 years ago
Dear Wayne,your uncle was a multitalented man,and I always laughed my head off when he played King Tut,with his ''abu-rabu-Simbu 2''!
And many people forget that he was the portly Mutant in Beneath the Planet of the Apes.
However,I Do remember,and always will.
Rest in Peace,Victor.
WizardWhateley 4 years ago
I saw him read a poem in a movie some 30 years ago - ...."Don't stand over my grave and cry, for I'm not there. I did not die."
Where can I find that poem?
FirsTakeVideo 4 years ago
Does anyone know where I could get a copy of his classic "Fat Attack" poem he performed on the Tonight Show back in the 70s? (This was about the time he played Taft in "Backstairs At the White House")
professor1966 4 years ago
@professor1966 Did it start "paradise was very nice, for Adam and his Madam" ??
episkipos 2 years ago
This is so moving. He was so lovely & entertaining, & VERY attractive. Loved him in "The Strangler", too. He made a pedestrian creep movie sing with pathos.
fraulevy 4 years ago
I still think of him, too. What a lovely and brilliant man he was. I'm just sorry I wasn't born a wee bit earlier in order to enjoy more of what he had to offer. A copy of "It Could be Verse" dog-eared, tattered, much the worse for wear but much-loved nevertheless, still holds a place among my favorite books. Thanks so much for sharing memories of your uncle.
Nancy
nannerlh 4 years ago
Yes, he was very special and is greatly missed. I hope to write something about him in the near future. Best to you!
purim 4 years ago
His Heavy album is still funny to me this day. Great montage to a wonderful man!
KidJohnnyC 4 years ago
A nice tribute to a very talented actor who left us too soon. He was always a joy to watch because you could see that he enjoyed acting. One of the great character actors of the past 50 years.
barztool 4 years ago
I remembered and enjoyed his TV work, especially his poetry readings on Carson...he made us laugh, what could be better?
kevininbuffalo 4 years ago
Wayne, I am also a fan of your uncle's work. He was a famous villain in Wild wild West that was not hated by anyone. A great performance. He also plaied in Man of Atlantis. That makes him known in Europe.
From what I read Victor and Michael Dunn were 2 exceptional people gone too early and live in our memory.
I had a lot of sympathy for him
laurentdelyon 4 years ago
Your uncle was very talened. I enjoyed his work very much. I especially liked his work on the 2 episodes of The Odd Couple that he did.
JimR541 4 years ago
Hello Jim:
Thank you for your kind comments! I too, thought those particular episodes were quite funny! It's always nice hearing from others who share in the same joy he brought. Most definitely, Victor was very special.
Best to you,
Wayne Erreca
purim 4 years ago