- Phil Carey, Laredo, 1965-1967. One 6ft. 4ins blond for another as the Texas Rangers’ chief, Captain Edward Parmalee, for the 56 chapters of the Western series. Kennedy guested as Jess Moan in the ’65 chapter, Pride of the Rangers. George didn’t need series. In the same year he made five movies including two each with James Stewart and John Wayne.
- Scott Brady, Welcome Back, Kotter, TV, 1977. The series star, Gabe Kaplan, ran into Kennedy at a party and the Oscar-winner said “love to be a guest star some day.” The teamfoundjust the rolefor him in the Caruso’s Way episode: agym teacher who lost his temper with John Travolta’s character, Vinnie Barbarino. The day before rehearsals, Kennedy quit. “I can’t play someone who slaps John Travolta – my kids would never forgive me!” [see: Frank Sutton]
- Gene Hackman, Superman, 1978.
- Lloyd Bridges, Airplane!, 1979. Universal’s execs were livid when they learned that Paramount was into a send-up of the Airport disaster movies. Worse, the ZAZ team of producer-auteurs (Jim Abrahams, David and Jerry Zucker) were trying to get Airport stars Kennedy and Helen Reddy aboard for the hilarious ride. They chose another singing nun and Kennedy kept the peace with Universal… and later with the ZAZers He co-starred with the Airplane! stand-out, Leslie Nielsen, in all three of ZAZ’s Naked Gun cop spoofs, 1988-1994. Universal had even threatened to sue. “Surely you can’t be serious. ” “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.” Drum roll!
Footnote >>>>
Once shared a London cab with George and his wife. He was surprised I knew who he was. Good bloke. As villain
(Charade) or pussycat (the Airplane farces).
Birth year: 1925Death year: 2016Other name: Casting Calls: 4