2,911, This story has been shared 2,493 times. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. Jay Thomas was doing a radio interview and he was insulting toward having to kiss Rhea Perlman. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) in Season 5 and the two continue to date on-and-off for a while. In a way thats fitting, as Thomas was also known for his annual telling of a Lone Ranger story onThe Late Show with David Lettermans annual Christmas episodes. And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed and Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? '", Thomas explained of what he said on the radio show, "[Listeners] would go, 'What's it like to kiss Carla?' What We Know, How to Watch Donald Trump's 2023 CPAC Speech: Live Stream Information, What Time Is Chris Rock's Netflix Special On Tonight? But there was a point where they [thought] maybe we would live together, and I didn't like the idea of Carla being with somebody because that would make you feel like [you're] not part of the people in the bar. But if that's what cost me my job, my wife will probably say, 'Hey [expletive], I told you so.'". In 2006, one of the "Cheers" writers, Ken Levine, explained the behind the scenes drama of Thomas' departure from the series in a blog post. A few episodes of recurring bliss and then one day on Jays radio show a caller asked him what it was like to be on Cheers? (We were worried that we wouldnt be able to use the name Zamboni but the company loved it. And it has nothing to do with Rhea. I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec," she said. He said, like in a movie, 'Are you sitting down?' 3,505, This story has been shared 2,911 times. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Following his comment, Thomas was not simply written out of the showhe was written off the show through his character meeting a painful, embarrassing end. But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role on Cheers as Carla Tortelli's hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. He was replaced by a young hayseed named Woody Boys, played by Woody Harrelson (amazingly enough, the character was named Woody before Harrelson was cast), who improbably became even more popular than Coach! Rhea was listening to the show and his character was killed off by a 'Zamboni incident' a few episodes later. And I love football, so my two big dreams were totally realized.. Thomas and the producer had just gotten stoned, he said. These became such a distraction that management changed his duties to mowing the lawn on the grounds. jay thomas, Other Works Cheers was an iconic show from decades ago starring Ted Danson and friends. to global superstars), there is something that is almost more amazing, which is to join one of these shows after it has become a hit and become accepted as part of the show's DNA. He also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles and, most recently, had a daily gig with SiriusXM. The tale of Thomas awkward exit from Cheershas become a bit of sitcom lore, a piece of TV history thats recounted time and time again. Always had a smile and a kind word for me, a lowly board op at KIQQ. All Rights Reserved. Fans of the program still flock to various streaming services to rewatch their favorite episodes from the show. photos, All the leads from Friends in its final season were the same as in its first; the same with Seinfeld. Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. But he didn't consider himself lucky, and in fact, complained about Rhea while he was working on the show. Originally intended for just a short story arc, Diane's new boyfriend, Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane, ended up sticking with the show for the rest of its run (plus 11 more seasons in his own spinoff series). At his funeral, it was revealed that Eddie secretly had another wife. Actor Jay Thomas, best known for his roles in the classic sitcoms "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," has died at age 69. . As you can imagine, important people heard that interview and were not happy about it. "I'm doingCheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy [Burrows]," Thomas said. Eddie is killed off (off-screen) in Season 8's "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice," where we also learn he was married to another woman. Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. I became that guy. The actor, who went on to have a recurring role onMurphy Brown,added, "Look, I made jokes about kissing Murphy Brown [too]. videos We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. In fact, plenty of younger viewers have found the series through streaming services (all 11 seasons are currently available to watch on Hulu). He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. What We Know About Her Continued 'Today Show' Absence, Joy Behar Scolds Co-Hosts for Texting 'The View' EP With Their Problems: "He's a Producer, Not a Gynecologist". 1,917, This story has been shared 1,836 times. Updated In the late '80s, actor Jay Thomas appeared on several episodes of Cheers as the love interestand eventual husband ofCarla Tortelli, who was played by Rhea Perlman. Finally, and most importantly, Kirstie Alley successfully replaced the female lead Shelley Long (who played Diane) after Season 5. Season 6 saw the show change dramatically with the addition of the aforementioned Kirstie Alley, and in that season, LeBec and Carla got married. His apprenticeship duties involved building sets at this summer stock theatre. He got his start on television in 1979 as Remo DaVinci, the co-owner of a New York deli, on ABCsMork & Mindy. He insulted Rhea, which meant he insulted all of us. He features legends about entertainment and sports at his website, Legends Revealed and other pop culture features at Pop Culture References. The comedy, about a bar in Boston, lost one of its main characters after the third season when Nicholas Colasanto, who played the beloved bartender Coach, passed away. He will be dearly missed by so many, Estey said in a statement to CNN. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers. news His departure ended up being a bit more complicated, however, as viewers were a fan of Carla and Eddie as a couple. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman., Well, guess who happened to be listening. The guy took one look at Thomas and his producer and said, Oh really, who do you think they are going to believe, you two hippie freaks or me? At this point, Moore emerged from the backseat and said, Theyll believe me, citizen.. Jay runs afoul of Rhea Perlman! Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. His zodiac sign is Cancer. In this weeks installment, Was Superman a Spy? The actor was also known as an annual guest on The Late Show With David Letterman where he came on during the holiday season to help out with Christmas. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. Follow him on Twitter at @Brian_Cronin and feel free to e-mail him suggestions for stories about comic books that you'd like to see featured at brianc@cbr.com! In our world, you don't wind up sleeping with the fishes; you die a violent yet comedic death.". When Will 'Attack on Titan' Season 4, Part 4 Air? Those curious viewers would be right because it sounds like Thomas's off-set behavior led to him getting kicked off the show. A Warner Bros. As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. "Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so. 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When asked about kissing Carla on Cheers, Thomas noted he received combat pay for doing so. A native of Kermit, Texas, who was raised in New Orleans, Thomas got his start in radio as a high school football announcer for the Rutherford High Rams in Panama City, Fla. Thomas first picked off the meatball in 1998 when then-New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde tried the stunt but failed. Thomas. He was 69. 'Yellowstone' Return Date Info, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of 'Today' After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast, Where Is Hoda Kotb? He crossed the family." As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. Did you encounter any technical issues? Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. She said, "I want him off the show.". And my joke what that I got combat's pay to kiss her." He first told the story in 1998 and returned almost every year to tell it again until Letterman retired. to write in with your suggestions for future installments! As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. For Kelsey to suggest anything other is not to give himself enough credit. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Both Rhea Perlman and James Burrows deny it had anything to do with writing off Eddie. What about Long and Ted Danson? He played Rhea Perlman's husband, Eddie LeBec, on "Cheers," and won the best guest actor Emmy in 1990 and 1991 for his portrayal of the character Jerry Gold on "Murphy Brown." No question about it, as Frasier literally got a spinoff show from his success on Cheers. Jay Thomas died on Thursday at 69 after a battle with cancer. Long said, We never fought. 1,313, This story has been shared 1,267 times. Thomas often played loud, sleazy types: He recurred on ShowtimesRay DonovanasMarty Grossman, the operator of a salacious TMZ-like website. A notable exception was Cheers. He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). It may have been even better than the original. . Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. It also gave us a story arc for Carla. Thomas played "Eddie LeBec," Carla's boyfriend and later husband on the show. [January 2005]. Best Picture Nominee Triangle of Sadness Is Now Streaming on Hulu, When Does 'Black Girl Missing' Premiere on Lifetime? He guest starred in an episode of "Hung" on HBO. Heck, note that in the quote above, Thomas even says he was specifically told Perlman was not the reason. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site. Recently he has hosted shows at Carolines in NYC and the Bellagio in Vegas. "Jay was fired unceremoniously," Burrows writes in his book. He appeared as a leading guest star in dozens of sitcoms, cop shows, and MOW's opposite Judith Light, John Tuturro, and Christine Lahti. videos, 1,686, This story has been shared 1,313 times. 2:25 PM EDT, Fri August 25, 2017, Jay Thomas' Lone Ranger Story Letterman Dec 2014. However, Jay would try out his stand-up comic routines on the rest of the staff. By the way I used to ride the elevator with Jay as he was heading to his morning show at Power / Magic, whatever the hell it was. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a fictional goalie for the Boston Bruins, who began dating waitress Carla. Thomas was 69. I mean, he got angry once, pretty late in the game about something that I wish he had told me about long before, because I made every effort to change it. He boxed, wrestled, played football, and ran track. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman. That was it for Eddie LeBec. 4,038, This story has been shared 3,913 times. He attended Gulf Coast College, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Central Piedmont College, and Jacksonville University, graduating with an AA, BS, and MA. He was a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman.". In a statement to the NY Daily News, Thomas' rep, Don Buchwald, said, "Jay was one of . Jay Thomas was one of the funniest and kindest men I have had the honor to call both client and friend for 25 years plus. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. And I think I did a pretty good job, although maybe it wasnt good enough for him.. On the way, a car backed into their Volvo during a traffic jam and fled. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. But advertising revenue helps support our journalism. Eddie showed up a few more times in Season Six and Seven, but then something major happened off-camera in between April and November of 1989. He was an actor, he was a radio host and he was a comedian. Levine and his writing partner David Isaacs killed Eddie off-screen in a freak Zamboni accident, and then revealed at his funeral that hed been a polygamist all along. Burrows writes, "That was it. During the panel discussion for the 200th episode of Cheers that aired in Season 9, Thomas heckled the cast and crew (presumably as a joke) over being written off the show. Heres how show writer Ken Levine tells it, per his blog: He was terrific in the episodes, he and Rhea made a very cute couple and so he was brought back periodically as her boyfriend. When this actor insulted his co-star, he evidently couldn't foresee the consequences he would face. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6161 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. I don't see it, so I'm willing to believe that, at the very least, Thomas' insult of Perlman was a notable cause in his removal from the show. Why did the show write him, and even have him die? However, after his less than pleasant comments on a radio show he was hosting . Actor Jay Thomas has died at 69. He won the best actor for and was a co-writer of best comedy at the LA iTV Fest for "Talker". In his new book, Directed by James Burrows, Cheers co-creator James Burrows tells his version ofthe story. Well, Ken Levine, longtime TV comedy writer, producer and creative consultant on Cheers, backs up Thomas' version of events, noting: Rhea came up to my office and she was furious I'd never seen her like this. He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. What Thomas had to say about kissing his co-star did not go over well with others involved in the show, and they retaliated in a very creative way. In addition to his work on TV, many know Thomas from his annual holiday season appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, where hed retell what Letterman once called the greatest talk show story of all time.. Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. In addition, Levine wrote about the incident on his amazing blog here, explaining how he came up with the episode where they killed off Eddie. In a statement, Thomas' friend and agent. He was also a radio DJ and continued to host a radio show while he was on Cheers. She said, 'I want him off the show,'" Levine claimed. 1,091. He starred in his own TV shows "Married People" with Beth Armstrong and "Love and War" with Susan Dey and later Annie Potts. He had a few small roles during the early 1980s, popping up on big shows like Family Ties and The Golden Girls, and in 1987 (in the middle of Season 5) he joined Cheers as Boston Bruins goalie Eddie LeBec. He was 69. The colorful anecdote involved Thomas giving a ride to a costumed Clayton Moore, star of TVs The Lone Ranger, and getting involved in a minor car crash that escalated into more. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).. Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas - Dating, Gossip, News, Photos list. 4. LeBec is a hockey player for. Jay now hosts a daily talk show on Sirius "Stars" channel and is selling high end real estate in Santa Barbara. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Her zodiac sign is Aries. Has three sons in total, Jake and Sam, with wife Sally Michelson, plus another son, During the summer of 1967, Jay (then Jon Terrell) worked as an apprentice at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, Connecticut. Levine continues, "we needed (a) some comic spin for the story, and (b) something to discredit Eddie so the audience would ultimately be glad he was out of Carla's life. (@norm.of.cheers), Where everybody knows ur name (@welcome.to.cheers) . Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. "Since he was no longer on the show, Eddie also had to go. On the big screen, Thomas played the Easter Bunny in the Santa Clause movies released in 2002 and 2006 and appeared in such films as Legal Eagles (1986), Straight Talk (1992),A Smile Like Yours (1997), Mr. Hollands Opus (1995) as football coach Bill Meister Dragonfly (2002) and Labor Pains (2009). Eventually, she became pregnant with twins, and the pair got married. 1,267, This story has been shared 1,120 times. However, he never strayed to far from the airwaves as he launched the daily Jay Thomas Show on Sirius XM in 2005 and even served as a frequent substitute for Howard Stern. "I knew they were deciding [about] whether to add me or Bebe [Neuwirth] to the cast full-time, and I thought he was calling with good news.
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