Definitely a very underrated actor...He gave LIS a badly needed comedic twist. Also he's one of the few Americans who is able to carry himself in a "European" style without it being obviously contrived. He was a very cool cat. Jonathan Harris is missed.
Thanks for posting! An excellent selection of answers to interview questions. And of course, what really comes out is that the old thespian has not lost his singular ability to draw a viewer in. Jonathan Harris' ability to modulate his voice in concert with dynamic changes in tone and inflection are still present, as is his ability to emote. It's a joy to see him discussing his plans for the character of Smith, but just as much fun to once again be his audience and watch him act.
Gotta say, longevity issues aside, I like Smith better as he was originally played; sinister, conniving, devoid of compassion. I know you can't have a long-running character cooped up on a spaceship with 6 other people he wants to kill, but the first few episodes with Harris playing him that way were memorable. I love the robot in the beginning too; a hulking, mindless machine, under the control of the evil smith; great stuff!
Jon Harris was way ahead of his time for his age too. Back in the 50s and 60s a man in his 50s might not have been as interested in a role involving sci fi space shows. He actually brought an enthusiasm and youthful energy to the show. Not only for a time when such shows were in rare supply (unlike today) and when such shows were mainly a youngsters game. Jonathan Harris was fantastic as Dr. Smith. He brought out the inner kid in him and brought a lot of life and vitality to this series.
Refreshing to see someone proud of a job well done, to enjoy it in their old age, and look back with great affection & candor. I totally agree-- comedic villainy is a ball.
I have always admired Jonathan Harris. But I think he made a big mistake changing the character of Dr Smith from a menacing villian to a cowardly imbecile. It ruined the show for me. The first episodes of Lost in Space were great but before the 1st season was over it became a campy-silly program that focused almost entirely on Smith, Will and the Robot. It could have been so much more. Sad but true.
@Octoberfurst As much as i love him i have to agree. but how could they have gotten through all those episodes without Don beating the living shit out of dr smith and ending the show lol .. .. cuz in real terms .. no one would have ever put up with that character for long .. idk . it would have been nice to see it not quite so campy tho . and maybe would have been serious competition for star trek etc.. still loved the show tho .. some of my fondest memories
@bostonjedi I do agree that if he been the menacing villian throughout the series that Don or Prof Robinson would have had to kill him off. However he could still have been a villian but just a much more low-keyed one. I could envision Smith starting to like the Robinsons & them developing a love/hate relationship with him. He could still be funny but yet not so campy and stupid. (I do love his "bubble-headed booby" & "ninny" comments to the Robot though + his "Oh the pain" routine.)
his talent was wasted on lost in space...he is a very talented and educated actor... they should have expanded on his charachter and let him run with it, but instead they turned him into some campy comic relief bumbling buffoon...even as a kid I was dissapointed at the direction the show turned and as for the rest of the cast I was embarrased for them...a very tallented crew that was worried if they would ever act again after this nonsence...shame on you irwin allen, you could have done better
@bozo47p Have you watched this entire interview? I've always felt the same as you however after watching this insightful interview I've come away with a smile and new appreciation for ol Zachary Smith -Harris's recollection of his casting experience and of how the Smith persona was created is great stuff -not only a great actor but also insightful & ballsy enough to push his ideas.
@MightySaturn5 ...yeah I watched it ...in another interview he blames irwin allen for the change...and another interview the writers...now this one he claims he was the one ,which is fine I don.'t care...the first six or eight episodes was what the character should have been ...thats what he should have expanded on because after lost in space I haven't seen him in too much of anything else except for very small bit parts here and there and the same for the rest of the cast
@bozo47p wow, never knew there were 'different' origin stories, I assumed this was a behind the scenes kind of tale without knowing he said different things at different interviews...anyway thanks for the info and have a great day.
I had not realized until now Mr. Harris had passed away several years ago. He was truly one of my all-time favorite character actors, chiefly from his roles in LOST IN SPACE and later in SPACE ACADEMY. He is dearly missed.
I cat even think of lost in space without dr. Smith & the robot!I got the vid of the original pilot.It would never have made it without them!!!!!God bless,& thanks for most of my childhood memeries,Mr harris,Mr May,& the recently departed Tufeld!!!!!!
There was a joke in the 80's about how the band The Smiths (fronted by Morrissey, famous for his very emotional, confessional lyrics) was named after Dr. Smith from Lost in Space. You'd tell somebody this piece of made up information and they'd invariably ask, "Really?" Then you'd do your best Dr. Smith impersonation, "Oh, the pain! The pain!" You really have to know both the show and the band to get it and even then it's not that funny, but there you go.
Johnathin (Dr. Smith) Harris was absolurely brilliant. My favorite charactor actor ever; his voice, his fafial delivery, his shifty eyes, his accent... absolurely brilliant; bravo my good man; bravo indeed! I wish I could've met him.
Those who love Shakespeare, will delight listening to Dr. Smith--I can usually detect one quote of the bard's plays per episode--thanks to Jonathan choosing to incorporate them in. He was a fine stage actor as well as being a a memorable tv star.
Dr. Smith is the best tv character of all time. Campy, villainous, selfish, pathetic, endearing---i really feel he was a relative quite truthfully! I miss Dr. Smith and dear Jonathan as well.
I must say Jonathan Harris & his portrayal of Dr. Smith have always been & will always remain my favorite role of all time. L.in S. was Sci-fi/fantasy for us 60's kids that will always bring us back to that safe childhood Saturday afternoon on bikes exploring the local woods pretending we were on Mars. Growing up in the last days of an era of innocense that was fast being drained out of the living rooms & neighborhoods of America.I am truly glad I was born in 1960 & believed in Santa until 10!
As a kid in the 60's & 70's we were raised on L.in S. When my son was five I began to correspond with Jonathan and he would send my son photos & letters as if he were still "Lost in Space!" Finally when Corbin was 8 or 9 he wrote to "Dr. Smith" & asked him why he just did not follow the mailman back home to Earth! His answer was a classic Smithism. " It seems that the mail is always picked up as my dinner is about to begin & you know how I am about travelling on an empty stomach,my dear boy!"
I've seen so many vapid actors pontificate about their "craft", and they are as boring as a dial tone. This man was a real human. I was captivated by him. Damn, would I have LOVED to sit with him and listen. I have always loved Dr. Smith. I think I love Jonathan Harris even more. Brava!!!
The fact that he was married until his death is proof that "this is not all that we are"...one life...one truth...one partner...Puruty...in this day and age of people who end their relationships on the drop of a hat... applaud Jonathan Harris
My all time favorite comedic villian...and Thank you, Mr. Harris for Lost in Space and for all the photos, letters and memories...you were and are the best
@Cyl0nCaprica - Jonathan Harris could have been that " deep - dyed snarling villain who bored the s**t of me ", but he had fun with Dr. Smith, he essentially made the character his own & apparently had a load of fun w / him & with the show. Good on him ! Working on something you love & enjoy is the best work imaginable.
For me I left L.I.S. for Star Trek! At my age then I was out growing the campy creatures on L.I.S. and really enjoying the better stories and effects in Star Trek! It became very hard to watch L.I.S. each week to watch Dr. Smith effectively being the reason and problem for them to remedy! Lost In Space and Dr. Smith became the Gilligan of Gilligan's Island.
It was years later of course to realize Jonathan Harris's incredible acting talent. Will never forget those years watching Lost In Space.
I would've loved to have just kicked back w / Jonathan Harris w / some drinks for a few hours & listened to his stories. He was as much an old school Hollywood legend as Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Sean Connery, you name it.
I'm that Mr.Harris played"Dr.Zachary Smith"as a comedic villian on the show..if he played this fink as a serious villian on the series.He would be off the show in a few episodes.
"Oh joy, oh BLISS!" He left behind a great legacy, both on stage and doing voice over work. Three cheers for Johnathin Harris, and if you're ever in trouble, just remember his three favourte words; "Take the boy! TAKE THE BOY!"
You can say whatever you like about Harris. But, how many people in the world can say they got paid for doing something that they TOTALLY enjoyed. I can tell from the interview, "Lost in Space" was the best time of his life and the man was truly happy doing it. Make me enjoy watching it even more when you know the actors enjoy doing the work.
He really comes off as a pompous creep.. "my agent (dirty scowl) who's name if forget"" Irwin Allen, whom i'd never heard of " .... " a bunch of yes men"...." it all comes back to me with a kind of horror":....
JH wasn't gay(RIP). His character was originally supposed to be killed off and he improvised to extend his career with the series, aka, a paycheck. He protrayed a male with "some" female qualities while in character. Everyone hated him, while in character, the only one accepting him was Will and thus, one clings to the one that one feels trust and comfort with. He was an excellent actor, which I had seen him do Hamlet.
I once told my dad I thought Jonathan did a great job hamming up Dr. Smith and then my dad called him "the poor man's Richard Harris." That made me laugh but I didn't subscribe to the notion. I thought it was a greater challenge for a serious actor to have to report to work day after day with a tired script and a goofy monster of the week. This was a great interview! So much more interesting to listen to someone so demonstrative and expressive than someone blank faced like, say Keanu Reeves.
Why so much video of any kind here on Youtube featuring any man always see the flow of comments that people add.............always turn about the point of the man being gay....or not !!!!
Are there so many men being afraid themselves of being gay !!! I am not gay, but i do respect any gay person. And i dont suscpect any man or any singer or any actor of being gay.....unless they say they are!
@blacksnk - Yeah, IIRC, in the pilot Dr. Smith was a cold - hearted murderer who snapped a guy's neck so he could sneak aboard the ship. Unusual for a family - friendly kid's - type series. He went from being a monster to a comedic, half - hearted villain who had negative traits but, at some level, seemed to care about the Robinsons & even Don West. Maybe because his survival was on the line, too.
Smith was cowardly and despicable, but the series got to where it really focused more on him, Will and the robot than the other characters. I sure would have liked to have seen Judy walking around in a bikini though. : )
i thought Dr. Smith was soooooo fascinating when i was 8 . i thought his character was so mean but at the same time fascinating. Billy Mumy was sooooo cute. no wonder i was drawn to this show as an 8 year baby GAY boy.
Not knowing this man, I would say he would've been a "Shakesperian" actor, and I can see from a directors' point of view, how hard it must be to work all of the egos in together. I understand William Shatner was among the most pronounced...
Watching Dr. Smith as a child terrified me into 39 years of struggling not to be gay. All my friends assumed Dr. Smith was gay and it terrified me that I would grow up to be like Dr. Smith since I knew that I was gay, too, by age 9 or so.
@haitipi Perhaps a pedophile without the sexual aspect. Children, even smart ones like Will, are more trusting, more forgiving of transgressions, and more likely to help the adult committing those transgressions keep his wrongdoing a secret. Smith exploited all of these characteristics. His goal, however, was to get to Earth, or to acquire power or wealth, not to diddle.
@chevychase Well, I grew up believing that this was the way all men conducted themselves, since they focused on Dr. Smith much more than the other two men, Thus I grew up as a straight bubble headed ninny with the voice of the robot and an early sexual attraction to older housewives with june lockheart hair doo's and the whole neighborhood looked like her which resulted in the development of one sick puppy. So, I would say you have nothing to complain about.
@chevychase I'm not knocking your lifestyle, but; Jonathan was married to his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Bregman, from 1938 until his death. They have a son, Richard (born 1942). *From Wikipedia. Sorry Chevy, but I didn't think he was gay.
@TheChuck624 I don't think Chevy was saying he was gay, only "gay acting". But for the sake of argument, being married with children meant very little back then.
@eswyatt Wasn't even "gay acting", he was just flamboyant. Dick Dastardly, the cartoon character, came across just the same - flamboyant nature. Harris comes from an "old school" of great actors such as Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing - to be a flamboyant villain in those days was perfectly acceptable. If you like classic films/TV shows, it still is acceptable. Modern society is weirder now than back then, at least we could accept innocent things back then for what they were.
@chevychase JH was a brilliant actor but he wasn't gay. Jonathan was married to his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Bregman, from 1938 until his death. They have a son, Richard (born 1942). Dr. SMith had effiminate traits to be sure, but that was through the brilliant acting of JH.
@chevychase As a 60/70's midwest kid we never knew what Gay was,as teens we did and most assumed what you thought of Jonathan was correct.Of course it was not the case. It did not matter to me either way he was just such a loveable cowardly scoundrel.Who in the end of every episode managed to regain ones sympathy as you realized he was treacherous, self serving but all too human full of frailties & possibly even some remorse! Dr. Zachary Smith iconic character in the twilight of TV's innocense.
@leibstandarte1000 Harris like many actors/actresses of his era was a highly educated,well read and intelligent man pursuant of many interests. He was born into poverty in the Bronx,N.Y. to Russian/Jewish emigrees .Through hard work,diligence and honesty he overcame these hardships & he received his pharmacology degree from Fordham. Harris's I.Q. was as high as his propensity for weaving words into highly amusing phrases was limitless! He was married 64 yrs upon his passage.
i might add, that "dr. smith", was obviously a comedic villain,but there were many characters like him at the time and before him,who seemed to embody what society felt a gay man was about. look at movies of that era and before and you'll often find the sort of stylized effete male, who could easily be seen as gay without expressly saing so,or maybe even knowing so.
whether he was or not,and whether he was aware of it or not,"dr.smith"[aka jonathan harris] was seen as a stereotyped homosexual coward by a lot of people. at that time in t.v. and movies, there were quite a few villains who acted this way. i wonder how much of this was conscious on the part of the producers and writers, and how much may have been bias that was just beneath the sufface.
Loved him but as the series went on the character got kinda goofy. I liked the early shows where Dr. Smith is a dark evil character. I guess in a way the character did become much kinder. He was very fond of Will and showed more emotion.
@sirtinycreep Harris had a hair transplant done between the second and third seasons of the TV series. You'll notice his hair in the third seasons looks similar to his hair here.
Dr. Smith could be a bit annoying at times, but he was definitely one of my favorite characters. Mr. Harris took a plain, hard, cold, calculating villain and gave him character...a personality that captured the hearts of millions. He was indeed a fine actor.
GREAT posting, what a guy. And to think he grew up poor in the Bronx and found a way to go to college right at the start of the Great Depression. Just more proof of what a no excuses approach to self improvement through self determination can do. His are the gifts that will forever go on giving.
@Network23studios That ring you noticed was his wedding ring. In a late 80's interview with the New York Times he mentioned it had only been removed once, and not by him. A hospital orderly took it off when he went under anesthesia to have his appendix removed. The man was married to his high school sweetheart in 1933 and they stayed married till his death in 2002. Amazing actor, amazing life, amazing man.
It's true. HULU as ALL of the episodes of Lost in Space. THERE you will see Smiths ring, and LOL, he Used it as a "magnetic object" as welll. Jonathan Harris WAS a TRUE artist. Lord Bless him.
He was a brilliant actor, and had me glued to his every whiny, backstabbing move on LOST IN SPACE -- one of those characters you love to hate, and hate to love.
@bkaitting I was watching Bewitched and he played a piano teacher and he was an antique dealer on Sanford and Son. I do not know if he did any other roles or was in any movie!
I'm sorry william, but I cant save you, my back is extremely delicate today!
123stephenno 1 day ago
Dr. Smith's relationship with Will Robinson was the real chemistry of the show.
OrodesIII 1 day ago
Definitely a very underrated actor...He gave LIS a badly needed comedic twist. Also he's one of the few Americans who is able to carry himself in a "European" style without it being obviously contrived. He was a very cool cat. Jonathan Harris is missed.
gwugluud 1 week ago
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Thanks for posting! An excellent selection of answers to interview questions. And of course, what really comes out is that the old thespian has not lost his singular ability to draw a viewer in. Jonathan Harris' ability to modulate his voice in concert with dynamic changes in tone and inflection are still present, as is his ability to emote. It's a joy to see him discussing his plans for the character of Smith, but just as much fun to once again be his audience and watch him act.
Solstice4MNM 2 weeks ago
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Solstice4MNM 2 weeks ago
Were Doomed !!! He's Soooo Right !!!
Max9507 2 weeks ago
When did he pass???What a great actor he was!!!!!!!!!!!
iluvrachellef 3 weeks ago
@iluvrachellef Nov.3,2002. He was a hoot!
Tempe1962 3 weeks ago
Gotta say, longevity issues aside, I like Smith better as he was originally played; sinister, conniving, devoid of compassion. I know you can't have a long-running character cooped up on a spaceship with 6 other people he wants to kill, but the first few episodes with Harris playing him that way were memorable. I love the robot in the beginning too; a hulking, mindless machine, under the control of the evil smith; great stuff!
jerico641 3 weeks ago
I hated Doctor Smith. I couldn't stand him! Such a perfect antagonist. He really made the show happen.
Thank You Mr. Harris
future4you 3 weeks ago
Amazing! Thanks for posting this :-)
Morcaiden 1 month ago
@Morcaiden You're welcome. ;)
sirtinycreep 1 month ago
Thank you Mr Harris ( doctor smith ) r.i.p. and thank-you for the many joyfull hours you have given us. ( a fan )
newman20072008 1 month ago
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Jon Harris was way ahead of his time for his age too. Back in the 50s and 60s a man in his 50s might not have been as interested in a role involving sci fi space shows. He actually brought an enthusiasm and youthful energy to the show. Not only for a time when such shows were in rare supply (unlike today) and when such shows were mainly a youngsters game. Jonathan Harris was fantastic as Dr. Smith. He brought out the inner kid in him and brought a lot of life and vitality to this series.
crazydavesemporium 1 month ago
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crazydavesemporium 1 month ago
Refreshing to see someone proud of a job well done, to enjoy it in their old age, and look back with great affection & candor. I totally agree-- comedic villainy is a ball.
megansspark 1 month ago
I have always admired Jonathan Harris. But I think he made a big mistake changing the character of Dr Smith from a menacing villian to a cowardly imbecile. It ruined the show for me. The first episodes of Lost in Space were great but before the 1st season was over it became a campy-silly program that focused almost entirely on Smith, Will and the Robot. It could have been so much more. Sad but true.
Octoberfurst 1 month ago
@Octoberfurst As much as i love him i have to agree. but how could they have gotten through all those episodes without Don beating the living shit out of dr smith and ending the show lol .. .. cuz in real terms .. no one would have ever put up with that character for long .. idk . it would have been nice to see it not quite so campy tho . and maybe would have been serious competition for star trek etc.. still loved the show tho .. some of my fondest memories
bostonjedi 1 month ago
@bostonjedi I do agree that if he been the menacing villian throughout the series that Don or Prof Robinson would have had to kill him off. However he could still have been a villian but just a much more low-keyed one. I could envision Smith starting to like the Robinsons & them developing a love/hate relationship with him. He could still be funny but yet not so campy and stupid. (I do love his "bubble-headed booby" & "ninny" comments to the Robot though + his "Oh the pain" routine.)
Octoberfurst 1 month ago
RIP Jonathan Harris 1914-2002
jvarela965 1 month ago 2
his talent was wasted on lost in space...he is a very talented and educated actor... they should have expanded on his charachter and let him run with it, but instead they turned him into some campy comic relief bumbling buffoon...even as a kid I was dissapointed at the direction the show turned and as for the rest of the cast I was embarrased for them...a very tallented crew that was worried if they would ever act again after this nonsence...shame on you irwin allen, you could have done better
bozo47p 1 month ago
@bozo47p Have you watched this entire interview? I've always felt the same as you however after watching this insightful interview I've come away with a smile and new appreciation for ol Zachary Smith -Harris's recollection of his casting experience and of how the Smith persona was created is great stuff -not only a great actor but also insightful & ballsy enough to push his ideas.
MightySaturn5 1 month ago
@MightySaturn5 ...yeah I watched it ...in another interview he blames irwin allen for the change...and another interview the writers...now this one he claims he was the one ,which is fine I don.'t care...the first six or eight episodes was what the character should have been ...thats what he should have expanded on because after lost in space I haven't seen him in too much of anything else except for very small bit parts here and there and the same for the rest of the cast
bozo47p 1 month ago
@bozo47p wow, never knew there were 'different' origin stories, I assumed this was a behind the scenes kind of tale without knowing he said different things at different interviews...anyway thanks for the info and have a great day.
MightySaturn5 1 month ago
I had not realized until now Mr. Harris had passed away several years ago. He was truly one of my all-time favorite character actors, chiefly from his roles in LOST IN SPACE and later in SPACE ACADEMY. He is dearly missed.
CajunGypsy 1 month ago
My last name is Smith and I still like to call out "Never fear, Smith is here!"
clockguy2 1 month ago 3
I cat even think of lost in space without dr. Smith & the robot!I got the vid of the original pilot.It would never have made it without them!!!!!God bless,& thanks for most of my childhood memeries,Mr harris,Mr May,& the recently departed Tufeld!!!!!!
rebelrecording 1 month ago
Dick Tufeld, the voice or Robot died yesterday. RIP.
astrofrk 1 month ago
I have never heard him in an interview and I am not disappointed. Cool man.
blue2765 1 month ago 2
Oh dear , OH DEAR!!!!!!!!
Ettoredipugnar 1 month ago
There was a joke in the 80's about how the band The Smiths (fronted by Morrissey, famous for his very emotional, confessional lyrics) was named after Dr. Smith from Lost in Space. You'd tell somebody this piece of made up information and they'd invariably ask, "Really?" Then you'd do your best Dr. Smith impersonation, "Oh, the pain! The pain!" You really have to know both the show and the band to get it and even then it's not that funny, but there you go.
philmfan 1 month ago 2
Uau! Meu vilão predileto! Obrigado Sr. Harris! : )
arteszazul 1 month ago
What a remarkabley nice man, Johnathan Harris was, may he rest in peace.
KevinJKtheman 1 month ago
the character you loved to hate.... Dr. Smith. Never fear, Smith is here!
zestydude87 2 months ago
I met him at an expo in 2001 in Cleveland. He said my full name then said "what an interesting name". Oh bliss.....
coolestdude80 2 months ago
Johnathin (Dr. Smith) Harris was absolurely brilliant. My favorite charactor actor ever; his voice, his fafial delivery, his shifty eyes, his accent... absolurely brilliant; bravo my good man; bravo indeed! I wish I could've met him.
joestaylors 2 months ago
He made the show. God Speed Mr. Harris!
rickw1100 2 months ago
Those who love Shakespeare, will delight listening to Dr. Smith--I can usually detect one quote of the bard's plays per episode--thanks to Jonathan choosing to incorporate them in. He was a fine stage actor as well as being a a memorable tv star.
windstorm1000 2 months ago
Dr. Smith is the best tv character of all time. Campy, villainous, selfish, pathetic, endearing---i really feel he was a relative quite truthfully! I miss Dr. Smith and dear Jonathan as well.
windstorm1000 2 months ago
Well we all know why the Robot said "Danger Will Robinson, Danger!" lol
justjohnny05 2 months ago
What an insufferable snob he was!
IwshIcldstrtover 2 months ago
I must say Jonathan Harris & his portrayal of Dr. Smith have always been & will always remain my favorite role of all time. L.in S. was Sci-fi/fantasy for us 60's kids that will always bring us back to that safe childhood Saturday afternoon on bikes exploring the local woods pretending we were on Mars. Growing up in the last days of an era of innocense that was fast being drained out of the living rooms & neighborhoods of America.I am truly glad I was born in 1960 & believed in Santa until 10!
leibstandarte1000 2 months ago
As a kid in the 60's & 70's we were raised on L.in S. When my son was five I began to correspond with Jonathan and he would send my son photos & letters as if he were still "Lost in Space!" Finally when Corbin was 8 or 9 he wrote to "Dr. Smith" & asked him why he just did not follow the mailman back home to Earth! His answer was a classic Smithism. " It seems that the mail is always picked up as my dinner is about to begin & you know how I am about travelling on an empty stomach,my dear boy!"
leibstandarte1000 2 months ago
Jonathan Harris was a brilliant actor and his character, Dr. Smith will live on...... I bet he was a very intelligent and interesting man.....
EastCoast20 2 months ago
I think he would've made an excellent 2nd Doctor off of Doctor Who, with complete respect to Patrick Troughton...
dantube74 3 months ago
I've seen so many vapid actors pontificate about their "craft", and they are as boring as a dial tone. This man was a real human. I was captivated by him. Damn, would I have LOVED to sit with him and listen. I have always loved Dr. Smith. I think I love Jonathan Harris even more. Brava!!!
Romanov8181 3 months ago
The fact that he was married until his death is proof that "this is not all that we are"...one life...one truth...one partner...Puruty...in this day and age of people who end their relationships on the drop of a hat... applaud Jonathan Harris
Cyl0nCaprica 3 months ago
My all time favorite comedic villian...and Thank you, Mr. Harris for Lost in Space and for all the photos, letters and memories...you were and are the best
Cyl0nCaprica 3 months ago
@Cyl0nCaprica - Jonathan Harris could have been that " deep - dyed snarling villain who bored the s**t of me ", but he had fun with Dr. Smith, he essentially made the character his own & apparently had a load of fun w / him & with the show. Good on him ! Working on something you love & enjoy is the best work imaginable.
knoxvilleguy2 3 months ago
This guy gave me a million laughs when I was a kid.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Smith.
Fersomling 3 months ago
master of the masters
retrogamescl 4 months ago
Absolutely delightful - my all time favorite character who taught me to use tricky language, like, you dundering dolt! Jonathan kicked but!! dina
MichaelDinaswirled 4 months ago
@MichaelDinaswirled How about his remark to the robot...."The back of my hand to you! You armored plated armadillo!"
TheShareplay 3 months ago
Inflicted by Theater
matrix49A 4 months ago
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Oh dear , OH DEAR !!!!
Ettoredipugnar 4 months ago
For me I left L.I.S. for Star Trek! At my age then I was out growing the campy creatures on L.I.S. and really enjoying the better stories and effects in Star Trek! It became very hard to watch L.I.S. each week to watch Dr. Smith effectively being the reason and problem for them to remedy! Lost In Space and Dr. Smith became the Gilligan of Gilligan's Island.
It was years later of course to realize Jonathan Harris's incredible acting talent. Will never forget those years watching Lost In Space.
dennis300cr 4 months ago
He was married to his his school girlfriend for 64 years!
ParisLondonRoma 4 months ago
That guy was a legend! R.I.P. Jonathan.
MrDravenLee 4 months ago
What a lovable man and a great comedian.
ez2me2009 4 months ago
I would've loved to have just kicked back w / Jonathan Harris w / some drinks for a few hours & listened to his stories. He was as much an old school Hollywood legend as Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Sean Connery, you name it.
knoxvilleguy2 4 months ago in playlist Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Strange programming 3
I'm that Mr.Harris played"Dr.Zachary Smith"as a comedic villian on the show..if he played this fink as a serious villian on the series.He would be off the show in a few episodes.
4thekidsTV 4 months ago
GREAT ACTOR! i ENJOYED WHATCHING "LOST IN SPACE AS A KID i AM NOW 51.
BettySue777 4 months ago
cool guy,always loved him...still do!!!!
dcarrero26 4 months ago
I looooove him soooooo much.
coolitababy 4 months ago
What an amazing actor he was. So articulate and gifted. Simply a natural, unique in every way.
LovingMyJourney 4 months ago
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MrEvan8689 4 months ago
He got to go on one heck of a fun Ride , He could have played Mr.Burns , Thank You for Posting this Special Part of Lost in Space History :) QC
Quaaludedude714 4 months ago
"Oh, the pain!Save me,William"!
brianwells456comcast 4 months ago 10
"Oh joy, oh BLISS!" He left behind a great legacy, both on stage and doing voice over work. Three cheers for Johnathin Harris, and if you're ever in trouble, just remember his three favourte words; "Take the boy! TAKE THE BOY!"
rebeledvid 5 months ago 17
WOW! Dr Smith is ALWAYS into character!
FutureLaugh 5 months ago
You can say whatever you like about Harris. But, how many people in the world can say they got paid for doing something that they TOTALLY enjoyed. I can tell from the interview, "Lost in Space" was the best time of his life and the man was truly happy doing it. Make me enjoy watching it even more when you know the actors enjoy doing the work.
blacksnk 5 months ago
He really comes off as a pompous creep.. "my agent (dirty scowl) who's name if forget"" Irwin Allen, whom i'd never heard of " .... " a bunch of yes men"...." it all comes back to me with a kind of horror":....
xvoy2002 6 months ago
JH wasn't gay(RIP). His character was originally supposed to be killed off and he improvised to extend his career with the series, aka, a paycheck. He protrayed a male with "some" female qualities while in character. Everyone hated him, while in character, the only one accepting him was Will and thus, one clings to the one that one feels trust and comfort with. He was an excellent actor, which I had seen him do Hamlet.
KingMopar7 6 months ago
No wonder he acted gay, because he was gay, why didn't he get a gay lover instead of the robebot,
peeweemax100 6 months ago
I once told my dad I thought Jonathan did a great job hamming up Dr. Smith and then my dad called him "the poor man's Richard Harris." That made me laugh but I didn't subscribe to the notion. I thought it was a greater challenge for a serious actor to have to report to work day after day with a tired script and a goofy monster of the week. This was a great interview! So much more interesting to listen to someone so demonstrative and expressive than someone blank faced like, say Keanu Reeves.
moleskinner 6 months ago
Why so much video of any kind here on Youtube featuring any man always see the flow of comments that people add.............always turn about the point of the man being gay....or not !!!!
Are there so many men being afraid themselves of being gay !!! I am not gay, but i do respect any gay person. And i dont suscpect any man or any singer or any actor of being gay.....unless they say they are!
jackTR11 6 months ago
I wish he'd left the character alone, as a sociopath spy. I think the character degenerated after the first few episodes.
eswyatt 6 months ago
@eswyatt I also liked the evil Dr Smith, but I feel we were in the minority.
blacksnk 5 months ago
@blacksnk - Yeah, IIRC, in the pilot Dr. Smith was a cold - hearted murderer who snapped a guy's neck so he could sneak aboard the ship. Unusual for a family - friendly kid's - type series. He went from being a monster to a comedic, half - hearted villain who had negative traits but, at some level, seemed to care about the Robinsons & even Don West. Maybe because his survival was on the line, too.
knoxvilleguy2 4 months ago
this man was a role model for dick dastardly, and cartoon villain, what a character, thanks for posting, jett in Norfolk
jettscream 6 months ago
Smith was cowardly and despicable, but the series got to where it really focused more on him, Will and the robot than the other characters. I sure would have liked to have seen Judy walking around in a bikini though. : )
ridgerunner721601 6 months ago
i thought Dr. Smith was soooooo fascinating when i was 8 . i thought his character was so mean but at the same time fascinating. Billy Mumy was sooooo cute. no wonder i was drawn to this show as an 8 year baby GAY boy.
mickeymouse2able 6 months ago
as a kid,,,,,,i watch the series,,,,Lost in Space, in my country Guatemala, I just love them,,,,,,,inolvidable
QUICHE45 7 months ago
brilliant brilliant brilliant...JH is a superb strategist & thinker!
Standardfrank 8 months ago
He was on Space Academy also in the 1970s
ramblergarage 8 months ago
I love it how Irwin was blaming Jon for not being in the pilot. LOL. He wasn't asked! Irwin was making out he didn't turn up!
Planetoxo 8 months ago
Wonderful!!!!!
AloneAndOld 8 months ago
Thanks so much for posting; Mr. Harris Made the show...
AloneAndOld 9 months ago
Not knowing this man, I would say he would've been a "Shakesperian" actor, and I can see from a directors' point of view, how hard it must be to work all of the egos in together. I understand William Shatner was among the most pronounced...
OpionatedOldMan 9 months ago
very interesting interview
lapere 9 months ago
Its The Cleaner on Toy Story 2!
bullettotheboard 10 months ago
i love this guy, he also reminds me of vincent price, one of my other favorite actors :)
paranorma1palace 10 months ago
@paranorma1palace Yes he reminds me of Vincent Price also
RATTLEY67 8 months ago in playlist TV Classics!
Great actor!!! i missy lost in space!!!!
brasileroamerica 11 months ago
never fear,Smith is hear! and harris was not gay,you idiots!
beggin1967 11 months ago
I can see why he got the part :0)
MrPEIcanada 11 months ago
Watching Dr. Smith as a child terrified me into 39 years of struggling not to be gay. All my friends assumed Dr. Smith was gay and it terrified me that I would grow up to be like Dr. Smith since I knew that I was gay, too, by age 9 or so.
chevychase 1 year ago
@chevychase Interesting...
sirtinycreep 1 year ago
@chevychase I appreciate your honesty.
startagain47 11 months ago
@chevychase Ha,he is not gay and you are,too bad for the "homosexual"community!they could use the class.
mdskewes 11 months ago 2
@chevychase Sounds like a Tom Cruise story as retold by Bronson Pinchot.
TheAssmutt 11 months ago
@chevychase He was not gay my dear!
eccentricdiamond49 10 months ago
@chevychase
Hate to make you look like a dummy, but you should have looked him up. I know what you mean about being a kid.
Speaking of his "Accent" or way of speaking, can you believe he is from the Bronx!
Also, he was married for 64 years to the same woman until he died, 3 days before his 88th Birthday
How Gay is that?
haitipi 8 months ago
@haitipi Dr. Smith was never married. :P
ChucksCherubs 7 months ago
@ChucksCherubs
Well, Gertrude Bregman Harris, his wife of 64 years, until his death in 2002 may be quite surprised to hear that!
haitipi 7 months ago
Respond to this video...
That is, unless you are referring to the character. He might have been Gay or even a pedophile, but it was never addressed
haitipi 7 months ago
@haitipi Perhaps a pedophile without the sexual aspect. Children, even smart ones like Will, are more trusting, more forgiving of transgressions, and more likely to help the adult committing those transgressions keep his wrongdoing a secret. Smith exploited all of these characteristics. His goal, however, was to get to Earth, or to acquire power or wealth, not to diddle.
eswyatt 6 months ago
@chevychase Well, I grew up believing that this was the way all men conducted themselves, since they focused on Dr. Smith much more than the other two men, Thus I grew up as a straight bubble headed ninny with the voice of the robot and an early sexual attraction to older housewives with june lockheart hair doo's and the whole neighborhood looked like her which resulted in the development of one sick puppy. So, I would say you have nothing to complain about.
vasallizinni 7 months ago
@chevychase I'm not knocking your lifestyle, but; Jonathan was married to his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Bregman, from 1938 until his death. They have a son, Richard (born 1942). *From Wikipedia. Sorry Chevy, but I didn't think he was gay.
TheChuck624 6 months ago
@TheChuck624 I don't think Chevy was saying he was gay, only "gay acting". But for the sake of argument, being married with children meant very little back then.
eswyatt 6 months ago
@eswyatt Wasn't even "gay acting", he was just flamboyant. Dick Dastardly, the cartoon character, came across just the same - flamboyant nature. Harris comes from an "old school" of great actors such as Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing - to be a flamboyant villain in those days was perfectly acceptable. If you like classic films/TV shows, it still is acceptable. Modern society is weirder now than back then, at least we could accept innocent things back then for what they were.
MarcusBritish 4 months ago
@chevychase JH was a brilliant actor but he wasn't gay. Jonathan was married to his high school sweetheart, Gertrude Bregman, from 1938 until his death. They have a son, Richard (born 1942). Dr. SMith had effiminate traits to be sure, but that was through the brilliant acting of JH.
cashflowneversleeps 5 months ago
@chevychase
Jonathan was married for 64 years until his death - stupid shit
excidedous 4 months ago
@chevychase As a 60/70's midwest kid we never knew what Gay was,as teens we did and most assumed what you thought of Jonathan was correct.Of course it was not the case. It did not matter to me either way he was just such a loveable cowardly scoundrel.Who in the end of every episode managed to regain ones sympathy as you realized he was treacherous, self serving but all too human full of frailties & possibly even some remorse! Dr. Zachary Smith iconic character in the twilight of TV's innocense.
leibstandarte1000 2 months ago
@leibstandarte1000 Harris like many actors/actresses of his era was a highly educated,well read and intelligent man pursuant of many interests. He was born into poverty in the Bronx,N.Y. to Russian/Jewish emigrees .Through hard work,diligence and honesty he overcame these hardships & he received his pharmacology degree from Fordham. Harris's I.Q. was as high as his propensity for weaving words into highly amusing phrases was limitless! He was married 64 yrs upon his passage.
leibstandarte1000 2 months ago 2
He also wrote a song for the Kingston Trio called "Love Comes A-Tricklin' Down"..they'd debuted it on their debut DECCA US Lp "Nick-Bob-John",BTW.
mrmjb1960 1 year ago
Por favor que alguien haga el doblaje al español de esta y otras entrevistas de grandes actores. Tambien sobre ABBA
diyoile 1 year ago
@diyoile Claro que debe haber un programa de computadora que puede hacer eso.
sirtinycreep 1 year ago
i might add, that "dr. smith", was obviously a comedic villain,but there were many characters like him at the time and before him,who seemed to embody what society felt a gay man was about. look at movies of that era and before and you'll often find the sort of stylized effete male, who could easily be seen as gay without expressly saing so,or maybe even knowing so.
brainsareus 1 year ago
whether he was or not,and whether he was aware of it or not,"dr.smith"[aka jonathan harris] was seen as a stereotyped homosexual coward by a lot of people. at that time in t.v. and movies, there were quite a few villains who acted this way. i wonder how much of this was conscious on the part of the producers and writers, and how much may have been bias that was just beneath the sufface.
brainsareus 1 year ago
Fantastic interview,thanks for putting it on the tube.
couscoustv 1 year ago
Lost In Space would've been shit without him, wonderful actor.
Never fear Smith is here... great!
YCSMusic 1 year ago
He was the main reason to watch "Lost in Space" - if there was a reason.
KutWrite 1 year ago
Great interview. He was brillant as Dr. Smith. A great character from one of my fav shows of all time. His timing, delivery, were genius.
spamember01 1 year ago
What a class actor.
lotanerve 1 year ago
Loved him but as the series went on the character got kinda goofy. I liked the early shows where Dr. Smith is a dark evil character. I guess in a way the character did become much kinder. He was very fond of Will and showed more emotion.
whiskeyify 1 year ago
Fantastic Actor and the longest runnning Special Guest Star...............in show biz History!
redmark19666 1 year ago
"Never fear....Smith...is here.."
flyer11234 1 year ago
What a delightful raconteur!
Anyone else see a physical resemblance to Harvey Keitel?
YouzTube99 1 year ago
what an interesting person, and what a command of the english language
jaykertiss 1 year ago
I love this guy but I wonder how he's got more hair here than he had in the 1960s. :)
sirtinycreep 1 year ago
@sirtinycreep Harris had a hair transplant done between the second and third seasons of the TV series. You'll notice his hair in the third seasons looks similar to his hair here.
Malekdit 8 months ago
@Malekdit Thanks! I thought he'd had something done... ;)
sirtinycreep 8 months ago
Dr. Smith could be a bit annoying at times, but he was definitely one of my favorite characters. Mr. Harris took a plain, hard, cold, calculating villain and gave him character...a personality that captured the hearts of millions. He was indeed a fine actor.
MrEvan8689 1 year ago
Awsome!!!
LoriGregg 1 year ago
GREAT posting, what a guy. And to think he grew up poor in the Bronx and found a way to go to college right at the start of the Great Depression. Just more proof of what a no excuses approach to self improvement through self determination can do. His are the gifts that will forever go on giving.
Karrenola 1 year ago
One of the most listenable men, ever. Thanks for livening my dreary times as a kid
westsarebest 1 year ago
One of the most listenable men, ever. Thanks for livening my dreary times as a kid, pal
westsarebest 1 year ago
@Network23studios That ring you noticed was his wedding ring. In a late 80's interview with the New York Times he mentioned it had only been removed once, and not by him. A hospital orderly took it off when he went under anesthesia to have his appendix removed. The man was married to his high school sweetheart in 1933 and they stayed married till his death in 2002. Amazing actor, amazing life, amazing man.
starstarstar42 1 year ago 3
I love this guy, I really do. BIG RESPECT
WarRogers 2 years ago 4
@WarRogers He was a fine character actor.
sirtinycreep 2 years ago
I could listen ti Mr. Harris speak about his role in Lost In Space or career anytime. Thanks for posting this interview. Delightful!
Fruth37 2 years ago 2
@Fruth37 You're welcome.
sirtinycreep 2 years ago
you can watch the whole series on HULU
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago 2
'I NOTICED HE always WORE THE same ring AS IN THE SERIES.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago 2
@NETWORK23STUDIOS
Interesting!
sirtinycreep 2 years ago
It's true. HULU as ALL of the episodes of Lost in Space. THERE you will see Smiths ring, and LOL, he Used it as a "magnetic object" as welll. Jonathan Harris WAS a TRUE artist. Lord Bless him.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago 2
@NETWORK23STUDIOS They don't make actors like him any more!
sirtinycreep 2 years ago 2
TRUE TRUE. Jonathan Harris WAS the best.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago
Lord Bles you Jonathan Harris. R.I.P.
NETWORK23STUDIOS 2 years ago 3
jONATHAN hARRIS was a
brilliant actor. I need to buy lost in space's dvd.
ZEPEC1941 2 years ago 3
Amazon sell them, surely...
sirtinycreep 2 years ago
@sirtinycreep i live in Brazil and i dont know buy in foreigner site.Same that,thanks.
ZEPEC1941 2 years ago
You don't have a mastercard or visa?
sirtinycreep 2 years ago
He was a brilliant actor, and had me glued to his every whiny, backstabbing move on LOST IN SPACE -- one of those characters you love to hate, and hate to love.
bkaitting 2 years ago 21
@bkaitting I was watching Bewitched and he played a piano teacher and he was an antique dealer on Sanford and Son. I do not know if he did any other roles or was in any movie!
Tazzman 9 months ago
What a brilliant man he was, and what a great show! Thanks so much for posting this :)
bkaitting 2 years ago 19
@bkaitting The story he told was funny!
sirtinycreep 2 years ago