Rarified Heir Podcast

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to entertainer Bobby Brooks, whose story about his celebrity parent is like none other. Of all the episodes we have done over the past four years, Bobby's is totally unique and left us incredulous. You see, Bobby had no idea his father was the late, great singer Jackie Wilson until he was well on his way to his own recording career. And it was because of his voice, his on stage moves and his mannerisms that friends of his father's made the connection because Bobby, essentially, WAS Jackie on stage but had no clue himself. Bobby tells us about his roots in South Carolina, the physical and financial difficulties he experienced as a child as well as his love of music from a very young age. We discuss his time in the Navy which led him to Hawaii where he performed with a very young, pre celebrity Bruno Mars in the family band, later being discovered by Paul Revere (of Paul Revere & the Raiders fame) and his connections to The Four Tops, The Temptations, Billy Davis and other music greats. So who and how and where did Bobby find out he was the son of Mr. Soul, Mr. Excitement Jackie Wilson? Welp, it's too good to share here. So take a listen to this upcoming episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast where all will be revealed. You won't believe it. Everyone has a story. Bobby's is remarkable.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to novelist  Matthew Specktor, whose new book, The Golden Hour: A Story of Family and Power in Hollywood, is out now and getting rave reviews. Matthew spoke to us about growing up behind the scenes in Hollywood as the son of an icon of the film industry, Fred Specktor, a super-agent of A-list Hollywood talent who is still going strong at 92 years old. With a roster of clients that included everyone from Robert DeNiro, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Danny Devito and many, many more, Matthew was brought up in and around the film business and had a firsthand look. Part memoir, part biography, part cultural history & part fiction, The Golden Hour has been priases in outlets such as NPR, the New York Times, the Kirkus Review, the LA Times and many more for it's unique look into Hollywood and the battle between art vs. commerce and much more. As this is his third book based on his take on Hollywood, Matthew is getting name-checked alongside iconic LA based, Hollywood centric authors such as Joan Didion and William Goldman and getting praise from authors like Jonathan Lethem and Griffin Dunne. High praise indeed. We get into that as well as how Matthew formed the book and the basis of his exploration into his family and the city formed him, shortly. Matthew's behind-the-scenes stories of how Hollywood was created in the second half of the twentieth century at Tinseltown institutions like MCA, William Morris and CAA beginning in the 1950s and where we are today, 70 years later a a large part of this episode. But we also hear personal stories about pranks the pre-rat pack played on him and his best friend Renee Estevez (daughter of Martin Sheen) in high school, what LA restaurants his family ate on special occasions, the cars and vanity plates of super agents in the City of Angelss and the movie theaters and books that shaped his youth on the Westside of Los Angeles. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and if you've never had David Lynch tell you, you were more an artist than a deal maker at 13, take a listen because Matthew Specktor has. Everyone has a story.

  Today on another brand new episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking with Rodd Bland, son of blues legend Bobby “Blue” Bland. As this is part two of our interview, we delve deeper with Rodd, who spoke to us on this episode of some of the more silly and fun things about his dad you may not know about the man. Such as? Well, what kind of car did Bobby “Blue” Bland drive? And what color was it? What burger joint was his dad's favorite spot in Los Angeles? We hear that too. And not only do we find out what place that was but we hear of a totally bizarre and wonderful coincidence on their very last visit together, on tour. But sorry – you will have to sign up to hear our Patreon episode to find out what soap opera was Bobby's favorite. We also hear about Rodd's time behind the drum kit as a band leader and also as a guest with some amazing musicians on a recent gig at the Antone's 50th Anniversary at Austin at Austin City Limits. We hear how Rodd started playing the drums and how it used to piss off his dad so much, he had to buy him his first drum kit. We also hear about Rodd's & his dad's relationship with B.B. King – on the road, at home and just hanging out. In fact, Rodd does one really terrific spot-on impression of the man known as Blues Boy that you have to hear to believe. Moreover, we discuss racism in the south, how Rodd is working on selling official Blue merch on the internet and his father's advice to him in life and on stage that seemed to be Blue's mantra for living a good life. It's all here and it's next up on the latest episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.  

Today on another brand new episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we bring you part one of two episodes with Rodd Bland, son of the genius blues, soul, gospel & rhythm & blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland. Best friends with B.B. King, & called the Frank Sinatra of the Blues – Bobby has more inductions into more museums and Hall of Fame's than an Amana Radar Range. Known for his soulful voice and his signature phrasing, Bobby was truly one of the greats. He also was also known for a guttural sound he made while singing that we get into on this episode. What started as a cue from a preacher became a sound that the ladies loved. No one did it like Bobby. Our conversation with Rodd dovetailed into many topics, including musicians such as ZZ Top to Pearl Jam, Taylor Hawkins to Jay-Z who were all influenced by “Blue.” We also talk about his father's late career resurgence thanks to films and television. From Spiderman the Animated Movie, to The Lincoln Lawyer and American Gangster, all roads seemed to lead back to “Blue”'s tunes in trailers, opening scenes in films and the like. Rodd tells us a rather touching story about when his father first heard one of his songs in a film that left us misty eyed. Along the way, we discuss what it was like touring in the Chitlin' Circuit, we touch on – albeit briefly – Don Robey and the Duke / Peacock years at the beginning of his career and a little known fact about Bobby that perhaps makes this episode an unleavened experience with a singer nicknamed as Sonny Boy that even Rodd didn't know. We had to call his mom to confirm it and she pretty much did. So sit back, take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast with Rodd Bland discussing everything from “Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City,” and “Further Up The Road” “Cry, Cry, Cry” & “I Pity The Fool.” But not, “Member's Only.” That one we saved for our Patreon page where we hear an exclusive, bonus episode, you won't hear anywhere else. Another child of a celebrity, interviewed by a child of a celebrity. Everyone has a story.  

Today on Part two of our conversation with Howard Murray, son of comedian Jan Murray, we find that like the Passover holiday that just ended a few weeks back, this one is full of both Maror and Charoset. Meaning, this episode is full of both the bitter and the sweet.  Jan was kind enough to tell us some very funny details about his family's annual Sedar dinners as well as a truly horrific story that has to be heard to be believed. In between all that, we discuss some his father's film role like History of the World Part One, Who Killed Teddy Bear, Which Way to the Front, Tarzan and the Great River and more. We also discuss what made his dad laugh, what restaurants he frequented and many more of the comedians that Howard essentially grew up with in the Murray household. Howard talked to us for close to two hours for parts one and two of the podcast and was funny, gracious, reflective, honest and patient with all our questions. All in all, we'd say it was a wonderful two episodes and you can make up your mind for yourself, as part two is coming up right now. The Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on part one of the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Howard Murray, son of comedian and actor Jan Murray. Our conversation with Howard was wide ranging and fun with a few poignant moments we did not see coming. Howard was an effusive and eager guest who really seemed to enjoy talking about his parents and how wonderful they were. This is something we already knew and we get to that when host Josh Mills tells a story about Howard's mother, Toni Murray that we've never told before. Our conversation often harkens back to Howard's beloved early years in Rye, New York when his father was known for his Borscht Belt years in the Catskills mountains entertaining Jewish vacationers, his years on radio and the early years on television in New York City, not far from his hometown of the Bronx. We talk game shows Jan Murray hosted and sometimes created, meeting ‘uncle' Jerry Lewis at his MDA telethon on stage and hearing first hand tales about comics like Sid Caesar, Shecky Greene, Harry Ritz, Buddy Hackett and more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and there is nothing like hearing about growing up a child of a celebrity, when your father is as terrific as Jan Murray clearly was. (And Toni Murray wasn't chopped liver either)….and this is just part one.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast this Earth Day, we are talking to journalist Michael Simmons, son of National Lampoon co-founder & film producer Matt Simmons. We loved talking to Michael because there is so much history in the (almost) forgotten history of American humor magazine turned pop culture juggernaut, National Lampoon. Michael gives us behind the scenes stories about the fabled National Lampoon editorial offices in Manhattan circa 1974 which was a breeding ground for comedy and specifically Saturday Night Live writers and performers. We discuss National Lampoon stage shows with Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, John Belushi & Gilda Radner that Michael was road manager when it hit the road. We hear about his dad's strange history as one of the founders the first credit card company, Diner's Club in the 1950s & how it led to National Lampoon. We even get into the history of how National Lampoon came into existence, birthed out of the Harvard Lampoon and even before that. Michael gives us a firsthand account of what it was like being in the offices of National Lampoon before and after films like National Lampoon's Animal House & National Lampoon's Vacation launched the brand mainstream. What's more we hear stories about Harold Ramis got nervous flyer Gilda Radner on a plane she didn't want to get on, Wilt Chamberlain giving him a ride on his shoulders and how he became an award winning journalist in Los Angeles writing about vice squad busts and later, music journalism. So sit back and take a listen to a fascinating story about how National Lampoon begat everything from Second City and This is Spinal Tap to SCTV and The Credibility Gap. It's all here on the Rarified Heir Podcast. Take a listen.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to musician Jon Klages, grandson of musician and Hi-Fi proponent and record label owner Enoch Light. Our conversation with Jon began with understanding just who his grandfather was. A classically trained musician, Enoch founded his first group, Enoch Light & His Orchestra & later Enoch Light and the Light Brigade before World War II. Wildly popular in upper class New York society, Light went on to found one of the most unique independent record labels, well, ever. Vinyl collectors today will know Light's Command Records & Project 3 firstly for its unique, minimalist artwork from renowned artist Josel Albers. From classical to pop to Space Age Bachelor Pop to popular soundtrack hits and more, Light was nothing if not proficient. From albums like Persuasive Percussion to The Private Life of a Private Eye, Lights albums were visually stunning first and foremost. But take a listen to any of his albums from composers as varied as Doc Severinson, Dick Hyman, Tommy Mottola & the landmark album from The Free Design, the albums were recorded for the best audio fidelity available. The albums sound terrific. We discuss this with Jon & loved hearing about how his own mother played a role in all these recordings too. If you love the Moog, horns, Bossa Nova and more mid-sixties exotica, you must find these albums for your collection. We also talk to Jon about his experiences in the studio with his grandfather as well as his own recordings. Part of the fabled Hoboken indie scene of the 1980s, Jon release a new album in 2021, Fabulous Twilight and has a new album coming in 2025 as well. We discuss how Jon became a singer/songwriter, how his passion for being around music led to a career in it and much more. Plus, we hear much about Jon's father, a seven-time Emmy winner for lighting design who worked with everyone from Muhammad Ali to Ernie Kovacs. This is one episode you do not want to miss and it's happening right now. Take a listen to the Rarified Heir Podcast with Jon Klages, right now.            

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Sara Karloff, daughter of the great Boris Karloff. Sara sat down with us to discuss what life was like with her father, one of, if not the most famous of the actors from the golden age of Universal Pictures monster movies along with Bela Lugosi and Lon Cheyney among a few others. Sara talked to us about her father's love of dogs, his roots in England, his favorite sport as well as his roles in films like Frankenstein, The Mummy and others that made him an icon. Sara has been tasked with guarding her father's legacy and keeping his name alive. When we spoke with her, that meant, working on a restoration of a silent film, King of the Kongo amongst other things. We even spoke with her about her father's last American film Targets and how she might looks to animate some of her father's audio recordings as well. Sara was a terrific guest as she spoke about the past, present and future of her father and his legacy. She's very much keeping it alive through film, a deal with Legendary comics and much more. So stick around and hear all the dastardly details of growing up with one of the most famous actors of all-time. Another child of a celebrity, interviewed by the child of a celebrity. Take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Deanna Brown, daughter of TGOF James Brown. Deanna tells us all about growing up with Mr. Dynamite and his loving as well as his difficult ways. A one woman advocate for the Augusta, Georgia Tourism Board, Deanna gives us details about The James Brown Family Historical Tour, the charity work that the family keeps alive in their father's name and the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils along with much more. We hear about Deanna's years growing up around the man known as The Hardest Working Man in Show Business when he wasn't on the road. We discuss his business acumen, his work for civil rights and his interest in helping the less fortunate. Deanna was transparent, honest, forthright and candid to say the least. We also hear some very funny as well as some very sad stories too. She really didn't hold back. From Eddie Murphy and Soul Train to her father's sudden passing, we hear it all. So sit back and let the daughter of Soul Brother Number One tell it like it is. Or was, growing up with a celebrity known the world over. It's Mrs. Please, Please, Please, next up on the Rarified heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Michael Rivers, son of rock n' roll icon Johnny “Secret Agent Man” Rivers. Retired and in great health at age 82, Johnny Rivers has lived many lives as one of the groundbreaking musicians in the LA music scene since the early sixties. From session man to Sunset Strip headliner to #1 recording artist to the Monterey Pop Festival, record label owner and publishing mogul and beyond, Johnny Rivers has met and worked with everybody. From Alan Freed to Elvis Presley, from Roger Miller to PF Sloan, from Rickey Nelson to John Phillips, Johnny Rivers knew everyone. Michael was kind enough to join us as a guest today to give us a first-hand look into his father as both a dad and a celebrity. From having a charge account at the flagship Sunset Strip Tower Records to falling asleep in a booth at the ultra-exclusive On The Rox club above the famed Roxy nightclub on the Strip, Michael went with his dad everywhere. From recording sessions on Hollywood Blvd. to dinners at the Strip's most iconic vegetarian restaurant The Source, Michael was taken everywhere with his divorced dad, even places kids couldn't usually go. Not many of us remember the smell of the AMPEX tape machine at United Western Recorders in Hollywood like it was yesterday, but Michael can. We discuss how Johnny Rivers biggest hit, the theme song to the aforementioned “Secret Agent Man” came about to what it was like touring with his dad as first a tour manager and then a drummer in the 80s on Summer break. We also hear about how Johnny was a prudent businessman who bought property in Beverly Hills and Big Sur in the 1960s which he still owns to this day. If Gazzari's on the Sunset Strip, The Whisky A Go-Go and an unmade sequel to Easy Rider are up your alley, hang on, this episode is just around the corner. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.  

Today on another edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are Jason Everly, son of Phil Everly of the famed Everly Brothers. We connected with Jason after listening to his radio show on Sirius XM satellite radio on the Fifties Gold channel. It sparked a memory that Jason and host Josh Mills had attended the same middle school together at the Oakwood School in Los Angeles going back to the Carter administration. After rummaging around and finding a school yearbook, we emailed Jason with a photo of himself in 7th grade, asked him to be on the podcast and he graciously accepted. We covered a lot of topics on this episode, from intimidating science teachers to the time Paul Simon called Jason up to find out the best way to approach his dad for potential Simon and Garfunkel / Everly Brothers tour in the nineties. We also discussed the roots of the Everly Brothers, how Phil was a down-to-earth dad who spent a lot of time bonding with his son playing made up games and drawing together. We discussed the how his father and uncle essentially created a genre that became known as country-rock, how Phil helped his friend & arranger Warren Zevon title one of his biggest hits, the time Paul McCartney told Billy Joel that Phil Everly was his musical hero and much more. We also discussed the Everly Brothers infamous split, a famous cousin who was on a wildly popular television show in the 1970s, the evolution of radio performers Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil, the hard scrabbled life the boys led until they found fame and fortune, Graham Nash, Kitty Wells, which song of the Brothers gets licensed the most, Jason's acting career and much more. What's our favorite part?  When Jason mixed up our science teacher Sol Rubenstein with guitarist Saul Hudson aka Slash from Guns-n-Roses. Your favorite part is coming up next on this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to illustrator & cartoonist Drew Friedman, son of the great writer, screenwriter and author, Bruce Jay Friedman. Known for his pop culture writing, including screenplays like Stir Crazy with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor and Doctor Detroit, Bruce Jay was part of the well-heeled Manhattan literary, pop culture and social scene, with his own table at the once-fashionable & paparazzi friendly Elaine's restaurant in the 70s and 80s. Bruce Jay Friendman was also a novelist with books like The Lonely Guy (which became a film with Charles Grodin and Steve Martin) & as well as a playwright for productions like Scuba Duba &Steambath which became a PBS production in 1973. This literati scene rubbed off on Drew who was always obsessed with drawing and cartoons from a very early age. This passion led to a career as a cartoonist for magazines like The New Yorker, National Lampoon, Spy, Newsweek and many more. In turn, this led to caricature books & illustrations with titles like Old Jewish Comedians, Maverix and Lunatix: Icons of underground Comics and All The Presidents. Drew Friedman became famous for his lifelike if sometimes slightly demented images of B-movie actor Tor Johnson, public access television host Joe Franklin, comedian Ernie Kovacs (ahem) and Groucho Marx and many more. The aptly named Drew Friedman is our guest this week because this is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story. This one is fascinating. Take a listen.

Today on part two of our conversation on the Rarified Heir Podcast is with Cam Clarke, best known as a member of the King Family as well as his outstanding voice over acting career, we delve into some pretty great stuff. Oh sure we talk about his recently released book, Now They're All Here: the King Family, but also get into some stuff that frankly, makes doing this podcast in the first place, so rewarding. Yes there are laughs, but as you hear, there are also some tears. We discuss everything from fan conventions, B-movie science fiction films his father Robert Clarke starred in, meeting Jeff Goldblum, being mistaken for another celebrity when his car broke down on the freeway and the book Interview with a Vampire among many other things. We also discuss the Mormon / Christian rock album, stage production and film Saturday's Child, written by his brother Lex de Azevedo that featured Cam at age 16. Along the way, we discuss a heartwarming green room encounter with a member of the cast of One Day at a Time, an Irwin Allen TV show from the 70s, stalkers and why meeting your idols can be either everything you want it to be or a terrible experience. Regardless, Cam was engaging, honest very funny. As always. So take a listen to part two of our conversation with Cam Clarke because this is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.

Today on an all-new episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to returning guest Cam Clarke, a well-known voice actor and member of The King Family. While this is part one of two episodes, we begin our discussion around Cam's new book Now They're All Here: the King Family. Much more than a coffee table book, this project took years to put together with input from many King family members and comes in at a hefty 300+ pages on this history of America's First Family of Song. In fact, it comes out today, February 25th so buy one from your local independent bookseller after this episode. Like in our last conversation with Cam, we delve into the 30+ member King Family's origins, their television series & specials in the 1960s, the familial bonds of working together with your family as well as Can's place within the dynamic. We also discussed how and why the book came about, why it was Cam who put the book together and somehow that involves another book about a very famous costume designer who happens to appears often on QVC. If you listen, you'll hear that story too. We also discuss Cam's career as an in demand voice-over actor, the weird connections he has to about 80 former guests of this podcast as well as the small, but not-so-insignificant details of being the child of a celebrity. What songs did his mother sing to him as a child at bedtime? Doesn't it just give you all the feels? We hope you enjoy this new podcast episode with Cam because we are again speaking with a child of a celebrity, interviewed by the child of a celebrity. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story. Take a listen.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are speaking with Josh Langsam, grandson of the great Cab Calloway. Our conversation with Josh was full of amazing family connections as well as a terrific lists of firsts from Cab Calloway that was fascinating to learn about. From fashion to language to composing and performing, Cab Calloway was both an entertainer as well as a cultural icon. While many of us knew him first from his appearance as Curtis in The Blues Brothers film, as the basis for both Jake and Elwood. While that film helped bring Cab back into popular culture, Cab's influence on popular culture in the first half of the 20th century. A song writer and performer whose song “Minnie The Moocher” sold one million copies – the first black entertainer to do so. He was also the first black entertainer to have a radio show and even was made into a cartoon in a Betty Boop short. And if that's not enough, none other than George Gershwin based the character Sportin' Life in the smash hit Porgy and Bess on Cab as well. We spoke to Josh about his grandfather's legacy and how he is working to enhance his legacy in 2025 and beyond. We spoke about Josh's plans for the estate and frankly, the what's and how's of running such an estate. We learned a lot from Josh on this episode as there was a lot to learn. So sit back and take a listen to the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

  Today on an all-new edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to musician/producer Jamie Perrett, son of singer/songwriter/musician Peter Perrett. Best known as a founding member of the U.K. punk band, The Only Ones, Peter has been a somewhat mythical figure in popular music for the last thirty plus years for reasons you will soon hear. Founded in 1976, The Only One's released three albums and their standing as one of the classic, first wave punk bands of the time is cemented with Peter's best known song, “Another Girl, Another Planet.” Called “One of Rock-N-Roll's great survivors,” in Mojo, Perrett's recently released solo album, The Cleansing is getting rave reviews for it's subject matter which The Guardian called a darkly humorous gem and a triumph. Our conversation with Jamie centered around his role as producer and facilitator of The Cleansing, as well as his new single “Glory Days,” which was released the day we spoke. We really dug into things with Jamie who was brutally honest and open about growing up in an unconventional and chaotic household. The stories you will hear Jamie tell are about as raw and frankly, difficult, as you have ever heard on this podcast. Somehow we also get to how Jamie discovered his own music, how making music with and touring with his father is really just a way to explore an unspoken love between them and what it was like growing up & recoding songs about his childhood which included abuse, neglect, fractured relationships and the complexities of growing up with broken promises. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Get ready to pick your jaws up off the floor.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Gary Hall, son of comedian Huntz Hall. If you are a fan of The Bowery Boys or The Dead End Kids, you absolutely know Huntz by his trademark hat and his verbal and physical comedy. Along with his pal Leo Gorcey, Hall made countless films together – there were 48 alone for The Bowery Boys – and even appeared together on Broadway which kicked things off in 1935. They were so indelibly linked together that The Beatles wanted to put them both on the cover of their Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but only one of them is on there. Hear why on this episode! We also talk to Gary about his often strained if loving relationship with his father who was often at work and play so much there wasn't much of a bond between father and son. We discuss much of his film career including later films like The Phynx, Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood andValentino. We also discuss how Huntz and host Josh Mills' mother, actress Edie Adams starred in a production in the late 80s of the classic Arsenic and Old Lace along with Dody Goodman, Jonathan Frid and James Mac Arthur. Whoa, that a trip that would have been! Moreover, we get a dose of classic Hollywood upbringing when we discuss Gary's involvement with the school administration of The Oakwood School, which Josh attended and many of our podcast guests have come from. This is the Rarified Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Susannah Mars, daughter of actor and comedian Kenneth Mars. Of course you know Kenneth Mars from his many film roles including Young Frankenstein, What's Up Doc, The Producers, Radio Days & The Parallex View and many more classic films. What you may not know and we learn from talking to Susannah was that her grandfather was a comic and radio personality named Sonny Mars who released one very tidy LP & that later in life, her father became known for voice over work in tons of animated movies and shows, none bigger than that as King Trident in Disney's The Little Mermaid.  Susannah also lets us in on what it was like growing up with her cerebral but wacky father. We hear about his lunches with fellow actors and comedians like The Partridge Family's Dave Madden which then somehow led us to reach out to another guest, Denise Gaultier after hearing about her father's somewhat ribald drawings he made for Susannah at those lunches. We also hear about Susannah's singing career, her documentary film, Mourning Has Broken & how she starred in an ABC after school special with Kristy McNichol & so much more. There is so much love and respect and genuine familial memories about growing up with a father it's hard not to empathize with her years after his passing. He made funny voices, she got to watch her dad on stage in St. louis at the Muny Theater and how the cult comedy show Fernwood 2 Night still connects with her & her dads fans. Please take a listen to the latest episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast and enjoy our chat with Susannah Mars. Everyone has a story.

Today on bonus edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast we are dropping a special episode in addition to this week's episode with Brendan Wayne. Our guest today is Ben Model who in addition to being a silent film accompanist, is also the archivist for the estates of Edie Adams and Ernie Kovacs. We spoke to Ben today because (drum doll please) (Add drumroll)*, on Ernie's birthday, Thursday January 23 at 7pm EST, we will be screening the previously lost, final episode of the Ernie Kovacs gameshow Take a Good Look on the YouTube channel of Clown Jewels. And if you tune in, join the live commentary with Ben and host Josh Mills, the son of Edie Adams and grand poo bah of the Ernie Kovacs estate. The very next day, on Friday January 24, Clown Jewels is releasing a brand new, Ernie Kovacs album of previously unreleased material from his radio show entitled Mayhem in the AM: The Lost Radio Comedy of Ernie Kovacs on all digital outlets. Both these projects are years in the making and we can't wait to share this with both our podcast fans as well as Ernie

Today on part two of our interview with Brendan Wayne on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we talk to The Mandalorian (literally) about growing up the grandson of acting giant John Wayne. We also get into Brendan's own acting career in films like Cowboys and Aliens and CSI before he took the lead role of The Mandalorian on the Disney+ hit show. What's it like to get into acting when your grandfather is John Wayne. Take a listen. We also discuss more of his time growing up around his grandfather, The Duke and some of his most off-beat movies. We hear a terrific story about the film Brannigan which almost got the entire production shut down after an ill-advised explosion on the London dockyards worried authorities that the IRA had planted a bomb. Terrific stuff about the professional and the personal life of a giant of an actor, John Wayne. It's an very up close and personal conversation about Wayne that only a family member could tell. And we hear it, right here, right now on the Rarified Heir Podcast, pilgrim. Another child of a celebrity, interviewed by a child of a celerity. Everyone has a story.   

Today on part of one of another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Brendan Wayne, the grandson of none other than John Wayne. While we share many connections (one of which is that Ernie Kovacs and The Duke starred in the film North to Alaska together) there is a deeper one that's existed between Brendan and host for some time now. Turns out that while Brendan is literally The Mandalorian on the Disney+ hit series The Mandalorian, he also happens to be the coach of Josh's daughter's soccer team. It's our 4th year working with Brendan in fact. Better yet, Brendan is a terrific father himself whose girls not only play on the team, one of them co-coaches with him! We totally lucked out with our soccer coaches. Wacky stuff indeed, right? Well, it's no more wacky than Brendan himself who talks to us about anything and everything on this first episode. We discuss his relationship with The Duke, Wayne's relationship with director John Ford, Brendan hanging with grandpa sans toupee and Brendan's classical acting training. Still, it's hard to wrap our heads around the fact that somehow our soccer coach also happens to be The Mandalorian as well as being the grandson of one of America's most iconic actors. So if Capezio dancewear and the difficulty of dating a girl whose dad only wants to talk about your grandad is something that seems noteworthy, take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. We promise you will dig it. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore edition of The Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Eric Bonerz, son of actor and director Peter Bonerz. Host Josh Mills goes way back with Eric, who, while slightly older, attended the same Oakwood School that has become somewhat synonymous with this podcast. Like Josh, Oakwood was a Petri dish of children of celebrities and it's partially the impetus for this podcast. Our conversation with Eric was full of humor, pop culture references, lost LA lore and bizarre interactions with the film, TV, music and the world of animation if you can believe it. Eric recounts his father's career as a comedic actor coming up in theater in San Francisco in the 60s and takes us on a journey through television in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Best known to fans as Jerry the Dentist on The Bob Newhart Show, Peter Bonerz moved behind the camera and became an in-demand television director with more than 350 credits to his name. So while we discuss shows like Wings and Murphy Brown, we also hear about Eric's time on the set of the film Catch-22 as well as an evening spent in the Manson house with Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor. Whoa. Somehow on this episode we discuss AMC Jeeps, the Beastie Boys, the band Primus, actor Chuck McCann, actor Keir Dullea, the Jerry Lewis film, The Day The Clown Cried and much more. Eric is a touchstone to so many things, it just feels like he's in the DNA of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Listen and find out for yourself, right now.

Today on an encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to siblings Deb Scott Studebaker & Stan Warnow about their musician/inventor Raymond Scott. Like our good friend Ernie Kovacs, some of you might have heard the name Raymond Scott but don't really know who he was or what he did. Others however, might be salivating knowing that one of the 20thCenturies musical geniuses is the subject of this episode. Either way, both Deb and Stan graciously sat down together to do this interview & wowed us with tales of their complex genius dad. Vintage cartoon fans might know Scott from his songs “Powerhouse” and “Toy Trumpet,” classic television and radio fans may know him and his orchestra from the show “Your Hit Parade” and others may know him as the Godfather of the modern synthesizer & inventor of the Clavinex & Electronium. A performer, a demanding band leader, a composer and the Director of Motown's electronic and research department, Raymond Scott was nothing if not prolific. In addition, we discuss Deb's mother, entertainer Dorothy Collins who was a Broadway star, a nightclub performer and a television star on shows like The Hollywood Palace. We get the lowdown on a father so driven by his creations he gave up performing for tinkering in his office and being one of the founders of electronic music as well as fax machine – decades before it became a reality. It's positively Looney Tunes on this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we speak to guest Kelly Conway daughter of comedy legend Tim Conway. This episode is equal parts fun and funny as well as difficult and heavy as Kelly tells us about the wonderful early years with her father as well as the end-of-life care battle that she had to endure in his later years. It's the stuff you won't soon forget. We discuss her father's career in comedy, beginning in Cleveland with comedian/voice over actor (and sometimes television horror show host) Ernie Anderson. Moreover, we were blown away to learn that Tim Conway was nominated for a whopping 13 Emmy awards. But through it all, Tim Conway was a fantastic father who made family life a priority with silliness and games and is the focus of Conway's biography, My Dad is Funnier Than Your Dad. We discuss her father's connections to Carol Burnett, Steve and Eydie, Bob Newhart, Mike Connors, which were both personal as well as professional. Kelly also doesn't shy away from the dark chapter in the Conway story as the elder Conway became less able to take care of himself. We hear stories about how he was cared for by his second wife and her daughter that is one of the most difficult interviews we have ever done. Somehow Kelly is able to guide us on a journey that had us laughing one minute and on the verge of tears the next. Through it all, Kelly is warm, self-effacing and brutally honest about her father, whom she loved dearly. Take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast and keep the Kleenex handy.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Lisa Sutton, daughter of singer Lynn Anderson & music producer Glenn Sutton. Lisa grew up in Nashville, home to her parents and their ‘Countrypolitan sound'  they helped make famous. What's countrypolitan you ask? Good question. It's definitely country music but typically with lush string arrangements, an orchestra and a more stylized sound than what country music is known for prior. It's a sound her Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame father and her mother Lynn made famous with the massive Joe South penned hit  “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” We also talk to Lisa about her perhaps lesser known but perhaps more influential grandparents Casey Anderson and Liz Anderson whose roots in country music as songwriters, performers and connectors led them to a fortuitus meeting with the poet of the common man, Merle Haggard. He gave them their start. Of course we talk roses – it's a theme in Lisa's life that connects back to her mom's massive hit, horses, the National Enquirer and how her father's songs were recorded by everyone from The Louvin Brothers to Etta James. Fans of country music rejoice, we have a winner on this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast with Lisa Sutten. Take a listen.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Valarie Long, daughter of actors Richard Long and Mara Corday. At times our conversation was breezy, at times difficult and at other times funny, Valerie really took some time with this interview because there was so much to discuss.    From health issues that plagued Richard his whole life to some of those same issues that Valerie herself faced, we hear about how her father was plucked from obscurity as a high school senior at Hollywood High School and within no time was working on films with Orson Welles, Claudette Colbert, Loretta Young and Edward G. Robinson. We also discuss her father's first marriage prior to meeting the pinup girl Playboy model turned actress Mara Corday, to a young ingénue named Suzan Ball who tragically passed away at age 22 when Richard was only 23 whose tragic story is one we had never heard of prior to connecting to Valerie. Somehow we end up talking to Valerie about people like Clint Eastwood, Peter Marshall, Lee Majors, Barbara Stanwyck, Roddy McDowell, Dan Rowan and Sit John Mills. We also discuss iconic TV shows like The Big Valley, The Twilight Zone, 77 Sunset Strip, Nanny and the Professor and more. We discuss movies like Tarantula, Sudden Impact, Tomorrow is Forever, Ma and Pa Kettle and Make Like a Thiefand others. It's a rollicking conversation that was equal parts funny, heartwarming and poignant and we thank Valerie for shying away from nothing in our conversation.. But that's how things happen on the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. And this one is a keeper.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Carrie Mitchum, daughter of actor Christopher Mitchum, granddaughter to iconic actor Robert Mitchum and mother to actor Grace Van Dien. And while that's a lot of actors in your family, we haven't even mentioned her actor brother, her actor uncle, her great actor or her own acting career! I'm talking actors! That's quite a family business! The Fonda's, the Bridges' and the Douglas's aint got nothing on The Mitchum's. Although maybe the Huston's rival all this. Anyway, I digress…. We jumped around on the latest episode with Carrie because there was frankly so much to talk about. Of course we wanted to know what life was like with Grampa Robert – and we do. But we also heard so much about her own acting career starting with the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as well as her time growing up in Europe and Asia on movie sets starring her father. Moreover, it's a total trip to know she had cookies on sitting on the lap of one of Europe's most feared dictators as part of that experience. We also talk to Carrie about her grandfather's film and his recording career, her father's films with John Wayne, growing up at the Green Acres estate with Harold Lloyd and our prior guest Suzanne Lloyd, the poetry of Robert Mitchum, her daughters time on Stranger Things, grampa's favorite food, being on the set of the film, That Championship Season, how no one really knows a family dynamic just by reading a tabloid, what NAR means, The Mitchum Steakhouse, being married to a “sex symbol” and much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.  

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking with….host Josh Mills. Yes, on this episode, our 100th, we somehow wrangled guest Daisy Torme, daughter of singer Mel Torme and actress Janette Scott to be a guest host as part of this special episode.  In fact, it was because of this podcast that we reconnected with Daisy and her brother James Torme months prior which led to a few lunches, quite a few laughs and much merriment. So when we were thinking of what to do for our 100th episode, it seemed pretty simple as to who we'd like to mix things up with. Daisy was kind enough to slip behind the proverbial desk and guest host the podcast and interview the host about his life. What a concept. Daisy was terrific in her newfound role as we discussed family connections, Josh's mom's, Edie Adams career, celebrities connections we had in common, family music publishing and a whole lot more. It's also safe to say that Josh had a good time as guest. Because, after all who doesn't have the “Enough about me, what about me?” syndrome? So we touched on quite a bit that maybe in prior episodes we danced around but didn't fully explain. Here, on this episode – we do. So please enjoy this latest encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast this American Thanksgiving week 2024 and remember, everyone has a story. Even the host.  Another child of a celebrity, interviewed by another child of a celebrity. With a twist. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast.

Today on Part Two of our conversation about silent film stars Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we continue our conversation with Suzanne Lloyd, their granddaughter who was raised as their daughter. Last week we laid the groundwork on the life and legacy of one of the silent era's greatest comedians. This week, we discuss the life Suzanne led in the family's Green Acres 16 acre estate in Benedict Canyon. Harold seemed to have a way with money and he indulged all his passions with abandon. Although retired when Suzanne was growing up, Harold remained very active in his passions. Be it photography, the Shriners hospital, the estate itself or even his passion for bowling with Howard Hughes, we get into it all. Topics discussed in this episode include: Harold's passion for Stereo, Rick Nelson, TV director Richard Correll, Debbie Reynolds, the Blacklist, Paul McCartney & Wings, Disneyland, the Rolling Stones, Marilyn Monroe, Roddy McDowell, Harmon Kardon audio and more. Along the way we discuss 3-D photography, pipe organs and an almost ridiculous obsession with Christmas and Christmas trees you have to hear to believe. But we get into it, oh yes we do! We pick up our conversation with Suzanne mid-interview as we compare Ernie Kovacs to Harold Lloyd on this episode, of this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. Enjoy.  

  Today on another brand new episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we give you part one of our conversation with Suzanne Lloyd, the granddaughter of silent film comedy star & Christmas tree obsessive, Harold Lloyd. Now, if the name (or the image) of Harold Lloyd doesn't immediately ring a bell like Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, this is one of the reasons we do this podcast, to make sure the legacy of legendary (or sometimes just working actors) are not forgotten. And after you hear Suzanne's lengthy and almost encyclopedic remembrances of the man who raised her and why his name isn't always mentioned as one of the three silent film comedians, you will understand it after listening to part one and next week's part two. There is a reason. One we know all too well ourselves with the Ernie Kovacs estate. On today's episode, we discuss the silent era of film and names like Hal Roach, Colleen Moore, Mary Pickford, Daryl Zanuck, Irving Thalberg, Snub Pollard and more are bandied about like so many of Suzanne's colorful stories about Harold Lloyd. We also hearabout Suzanne's grandmother, actress Mildred Davis who was a pretty huge silent film star in her own right. It's a whirlwind of information that fans of silent films won't get enough of and fans who love old Hollywood but maybe don't know the silent era well will want to learn more about. Suzanne was a marvelous guest – someone who knows dates, places, studios, names and more like these things happened just yesterday. It's clear that because she now controlls the Harold Lloyd Estate and his production company that she learned all this while also genuinely loving her grandfather who raised her like a daughter. It's terrific stuff. So now podcast listeners, we bring you the story of Speedy aka Harold Lloyd on this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Take a listen.

Welcome to another bonus edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Today we bring you something a little different. Just for fun. On Saturday September 28th and Sunday the 29th, 2024 the good folks at the VideoFest in Dallas presented Devo's Gerald Casale with the Ernie Kovacs award. Since the 1997, Bart Weiss and the Video Association of Dallas has given out a (semi) annual Ernie Kovacs award with the help of Edie Adams and since her passing in 2009, her son, Rarified Heir Podcast host Josh Mills. Past recipients include Joel Hodgson, Paul Reubens, Amy Sedaris, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Mike Judge, George Schlatter, Kevin McDonald & Dave Foley of Kids in the Hall, Al Franken, Martin Mull, Michael Nesmith and more. Thank you to Kyle Riche for recording the event, Bart Weiss and the VideoFest in Dallas Texas for holding an Ernie Kovacs award annually, Gerald Casale for being such an Ernie Kovacs fan, Jeff Winner for making this event happen, the good folks at the Texas Theater, DJ George Gimarc, all the VideoFest volunteers and everyone who has attended any of the Kovacs Awards through the years. So Rarified Heir Podcast fans, this is not your typical episode, but we thought you all might want to hear some of what happened that weekend. And here it is.

Welcome to another bonus edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Today we bring you something a little different. Just for fun. On Saturday September 28th and Sunday the 29th, 2024 the good folks at the VideoFest in Dallas presented Devo's Gerald Casale with the Ernie Kovacs award. Since the 1997, Bart Weiss and the Video Association of Dallas has given out a (semi) annual Ernie Kovacs award with the help of Edie Adams and since her passing in 2009, her son, Rarified Heir Podcast host Josh Mills. Past recipients include Joel Hodgson, Paul Reubens, Amy Sedaris, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Mike Judge, George Schlatter, Kevin McDonald & Dave Foley of Kids in the Hall, Al Franken, Martin Mull, Michael Nesmith and more. Thank you to Kyle Riche for recording the event, Bart Weiss and the VideoFest in Dallas Texas for holding an Ernie Kovacs award annually, Gerald Casale for being such an Ernie Kovacs fan, Jeff Winner for making this event happen, the good folks at the Texas Theater, DJ George Gimarc, all the VideoFest volunteers and everyone who has attended any of the Kovacs Awards through the years. So Rarified Heir Podcast fans, this is not your typical episode, but we thought you all might want to hear some of what happened that weekend. And here it is.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to J.D. Lobue Jr., son of television director & at one time budding sunshine pop musician J.D. Lobue Sr. We reached out to J.D. Jr., after reading an article in a fantastic music magazine called Ugly Things about a band from the 1960s called The Gordian Knot. While reading the article, the name J.D. Lobue came up and host Josh Mills immediately thought, “That MUST be the father of my former little league baseball teammate!” After all, Lobue isn't Smith, it's a pretty unique name. With a little bit more research, we discovered our hunch was correct, it was the same person. As we dug a little further, we realized that not only was Sr. a member of The Gordian Knot, but was also a well-known television director whose credits included multiple credits for iconic American shows like Soul Train, Soap, It's A Living, Herman's Head, Dharma and Greg and so many more. There were also credits for shows that didn't make it like Norman Lear's All's Fair, Amanda's By The Sea, Comedy Zone, You Take The Kids and more. So on this episode, we get into the weeds on what it was like in the booth watching your dad direct Soul Train and how your dad kept it together when things didn't go right on the set of Soap. We also discuss meeting the great Madeline Kahn, how he channeled The Bad News Bears Tanner as a member of the Dodgers at Studio City National Little League, iconic TV director Jay Sandrich, the jazz fusion band The Crusaders, sitting in Archie Bunker's chair on the All in the Family set, playing tennis at Mel Torme's house and much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story. Take a listen.

Today on Part Two of another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we continue our conversation with guest Peter Ackerman, son of actor Elinor Donahue & television executive Harry Ackerman. We covered a lot of ground on part one but on this episode, we dig deep into things like how insanely loyal Star Trek fans are as we discuss fan conventions and their lasting impact on both celebrities and attending fans. In fact, both Peter and host Josh Mills played the role of dutiful sons, chaperoning and being the ‘money person' at celebrity conventions their mothers attended. It was a bonding moment. We also discuss forgotten Los Angeles restaurants, the Los Angeles Rams and how they connect to Bewitched, music videos from Peter Frampton and Aerosmith, the soap opera Days of Our Lives, the film Pretty Woman & Peter's current career which might surprise you. We jammed a lot into this episode and the last one as well and Peter was a lively and willing participant to discuss his life, growing up the child of a celebrity. In fact, you can read more about it in his new book, Mom, Dad, Me, and Classic TV - Growing Up with Classic Television's Harry Ackerman and Elinor Donahue – out now! So get ready, here comes part two of our conversation with Peter Ackerman. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Peter Ackerman, son of actress Elinor Donahue and television executive Harry Ackerman. Ironic isn't it that just recently we have spoken to David Pressman, son of actor Lawrence Pressman who starred with Elinor in the short-lived TV show Mulligan's Stew on episode #194 and here we are again discussing lost classic TV. No matter, because on this episode we really lock in on some iconic classic television shows which Peter discusses at length. Like what shows you ask? Nothing much really – just shows like I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, Batman, The Monkees, Bewitched and other shows that were part of our childhood. What's more, Peter tells us what it was like from both in front of the camera and behind as well. With both parents traversing show business from different careers, Peter gives us a peek into what it was like growing up the child of a celebrity and the child of a Hollywood power broker. A unique story that is. We loved hearing about Peter's first kiss – from a fellow child of a celebrity while in grade school as well as the behind-the-scenes story of how and why, “Bewitched” ended. We also learn about how and why his mother left The Andy Griffith Show and much more. In fact, we got the story before his recent book, Mom, Dad, Me, and Classic TV - Growing Up with Classic Television's Harry Ackerman and Elinor Donahue was published earlier this year. So we consider this interview quite a scoop! If it sounds like a fun episode – it was. And this is only part one! This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Take a listen.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast we have another encore edition with guest Ron DeFore, whose father Don DeFore was known to classic TV fans as Thorny on the show The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet. It's a nice bookend with the recent interview we did with Sam Nelson, Rick Nelson's son a few months back talking about that iconic 50s show. What's more, Ron's mother was singer Marion Holmes and we hear from Ron about how his parents met as well as her career as well which has a fun bit of trivia in there you won't want to miss. Disneyland fans will especially love this episode as we discuss how Don Defore was the only celebrity to have a branded store in Disneyland which happened only because of his friendship with Walt Disney himself. We hear about the Don DeFore Silver Banjo Barbeque, how the recipe came about and where the signage ended up. Disneyana buffs will be in hog heaven on this one….BBQ hog heaven that is.  What's more we discuss the book Ron wrote about literally growing up in Disneyland which you can still purchase as an autographed copy at (get this) www.growingupindisneyland.com. It's quite the story about literally growing up in the “Happiest Place on Earth” that we touch on quite a bit on this episode. Along the way we hear stories about President Ronald Reagan, John Lennon, a DJ stint as Captain Disco, the T.V. show The Odd Couple, long lost LA restaurant favorites & much more. So take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. 

Today on another episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are again speaking to David Jolliffe for part two of our conversation that began on last week's episode. On this episode, we dig a little deeper into some of the stories David told us last week and I ask you, what other podcast gives you first hand stories about the legendary Hollywood Vampires AND Jose Ferrer in the same episode? I'll give you a moment to think. You are correct, only the Rarified Heir Podcast. Once more, we connect with David about his actress mother Glorya Lord whose credits include Mannix and The Doris Day Show among others as well as his television exec. father Richard Jolliffe. We also talk to David about his voice-over work on 70s and 80s animation, his trip to the Indianapolis 500 with Emergency!'s Kent McCord, a ridiculous and very funny story about an incident with Bruce Dern, making music with Toto's Steve Lukather and Shaun Cassidy and a whole lot more. All you need to do now is absolutely nothing but sit back, relax and hear another episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. 

Today on another episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, it's actually more than just another episode. Why? This is episode number 200 of the podcast. If you had asked us when we started if we had thought we would get to 200 episodes, we might have thought that was impossible. But here we are. We owe a great deal of thanks to all of you, our listeners for hanging in through all these years. We appreciate you, your enthusiasm on social media, your support on Patreon and all your emails and DMs for guest suggestions. You'd be surprised how often that works, so keep the suggestions and the downloads coming as we head to the next milestone. And with that out of the way, we bring you another encore episode, a two-parter in fact, with actor David Jolliffe whose stories about growing up in Hollywood as an actor really boggle the mind. You likely know David from his amazing red afro on Room 222. Or maybe you know David from his countless television commercials, or maybe you know his voice from countless animated shows? Perhaps you know some of his music he made with his actor/musician friends or maybe if you are in the industry, it's from his advocating for actors as a VP of the Screen Actors Guild & AFTRA. However you know him, you wont forget some of his remarkable tales after listening to this episode. Along the way we learn about growing up as the child of his actress mother Glorya Lord and his father, TV executive Richard Jolliffe. So buckle your seatbelts for part one of our conversation that touches on everyone from Alice Cooper, Michael Constantine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bruno Kirby, Billy Mumy & composer Jerry Goildsmith to name just a few. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and this is part one of our interview with David Jolliffe. Everyone has a story.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Jennifer Pentland, daughter to comedian and actress Roseanne Barr. Or just Roseanne. We are not exactly sure in 2024. Regardless, we spoke to Jennifer around the release of her memoir, This Will Be Funny Later which frankly, leaves no stone unturned. It's full of the good, the band and the ugly of growing up the child of a celebrity. With a mother who was a lightning rod of controversy for tabloids, gossip columnists and the general public all thought Jennifer's teenage years, Jennifer is brutally honest which is to be commended. What was most refreshing about talking to Jennifer was that she tells her story with humor with only the mildest hint of resentment or anger about how she grew up. And when you hear her story involving everything from weight issues, self-harm and being institutionalized, it's a wonder there was anything but rancor discussing these issues. But there isn't. Jennifer was a remarkable person if for no other reason than the can recall the clear headed and stark reality of why she was institutionalized which had almost nothing to do with why she thought she was there. It's a fascinating story and really tells you just how strong she is. We spoke to Jennifer in the midst of a family trip when she pulled over at a rest stop to talk to us and that's just the kind of person she is. So get ready for a conversation involving personal chefs, Rodney Dangerfield, being a goth kid, cult and water balloons that almost is too much to believe. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.    

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to actor David Deluise, son of comedian/actors Dom Deluise & Carol Arthur. Ok, sure, we talk about the 80s cable TV classic film Hot Stuff a little bit too much on this episode but it's one of the few films Dom directed and also featured his wife and family. And like the film, we hear from David that in many ways that film mirrored their life off camera. There was lots of food, laughter and spending time with friends and family when the camera's weren't rolling. We discuss with David many of his father's friends including Mel Brooks, Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin and more. When you have prominent roles in everything from Blazing Saddles to The Muppet Movie, there is a lot to talk about. Of course we talk about Dom's other passion: food. Cooking, eating and procuring free food as well. Clearly the man lived to eat and that's a man after our own hear. We also talk about David's acting and directing career on television shows like The Thunderman's, Lab Rats and more. We also learn how the show Felicity got its name, the family's favorite restaurants, being too nervous to meet Robert De Niro, dining with Martin Sheen & sending Anthony Hopkins a pizza as an introduction. You know, the typical things most kids grow up doing all over this great land of ours. So sit back, maybe order Chinese food for 50 people as the Deluise's did and take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Colin Cosell, grandson of legendary broadcaster and American cultural icon, Howard Cosell. Now, if you are born in the United States, you will definitely know Howard Cosell. But for those outside the US, that name night not be as well known. But in the 1970s and 80s, Cosell was at the Zenith of where celebrity, sports and pop culture mixed. Famous for his “Tell it like it is” manner on air, Howard Cosell was as famous for his calls of the boxing, football, baseball & the Olympics while also being remembered for his voice, his wit and his sometimes prickly manner. He got as much hate mail as he got praise and he was often at the center of controversy for his comments on air as well as his opinions off air. For many of us, Howard Cosell will be remembered as the man who broke the news to America that John Lennon was shot and killed which we watched Monday Night Football. For others he will be remembered for  as the  butt playful jokes from one of his best friends Muhammad Ali. This was a man who famously parlayed his fame as a sportscaster to television, film and the larger pop culture zeitgeist of the latter half of the 20th Century as you will soon hear. Talking to Colin, we get to see another side of Howard, a grandfather who doted on his family and young Colin. We discuss how the family all played board games together, the many dogs they grew up with and how he would see his grandfather every week or two growing up. Howard was a very present grandfather who could also pull some strings and arrange a meeting with a world famous athlete one day and hang with you eating bagels the next. Colin was a jovial guest who told  stories about the other Saturday Night Live Starring Howard Coselland how Cosell impacted the late night comedy juggernaut SNL we know today. We talk Monday Night Football with Frank Gifford and ‘Dandy' Don Meredith as well as the time  Jon Bon Jovi came over to talk. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Brad James, son of game show host and television icon, Dennis James. We loved talking to Brad because of all the many connections his dad had to early – and we mean early – television that connected with host Josh Mills own family in early television. Fans of classic television should appreciate this episode as we talk about televisions earliest beginning when there were literally just a few hundred sets in the New York metropolitan area. From there we discuss all the many game shows Dennis James was a part of including landmark shows like: The New Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal and Name That Tune as well as obscure shows like Haggis Baggis, Cash and Carry and Name's The Same. It's why he was known as the “Dean of Game Shows.” We are just scratching the surface here as James worked on commercials, radio, movies and became a philanthropic juggernaut when he hosted the first-ever telethon for united Cerebral Palsy Associations as emcee that continued well into the 1990s. In fact, after his father passed away in 1997, Brad took over that role as host to help keep his father's life work alive. Along the way, we talk golf & Kevin Costner, a skinny kid from New Jersey like James named Sinatra who came up through the ranks together and how his father raised – get this $750 million dollars in his five decades of work for United Cerebral Palsy. There is also a story about Foster Brooks and a gun that entertained us to no end. So please, take a listen to the Rarified Heir Podcast with guest Brad James. Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to journalist Claudia Cowan who grew up the daughter of actress Barbara Rush and pioneering A-list publicist Warren Cowan. Claudia spoke with us about growing up with a mother co-starred with Paul Newman in The Young Philadelphians and whose father was Paul Newmand's press agent. It was a difficult task to focus on both her mother and father because they both did so much personally and professionally – including marrying and divorcing – twice. Along the way we hear about Claudia's favorite LA restaurants, her mother's disappointment at not singing a duet with Frank Sinatra in Robin and the Seven Hoods, how her father invented the “Top Ten list,” what it was like being on tour with her mother while she was starring in regional theater in Chicago and how her parents met The Beatles at a garden party the night after their famed Hollywood Bowl performance that her father was publicizing and so much more. So what is it like to have a father who represented Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, George Burns, Ronald Reagan and others while her mom was starring in movies with Rock Hudson, Dean Martin Marlon Brando, Hope Lange and Ernie Kovacs? You'll just have to listen to this episode and find out. And let us say this, in honor of her father, when asked, who his favorite client was said “The next one,” let us just say that our favorite episode is the next one, which in this case is THIS one with Claudia Cowan. Another child of a celebrity interviewed by a child of a celebrity. Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to actor David Pressman and both delving into both of his actor parents, Lawrence Pressman and Lanna Saunders. Like our previous guest, Christopher Murray, David seemed destined to become an actor – not just because of his parents but also because his grandparents and even his great grandfather were actors as well – going all the way back to the Russian/Ukrainian stage before he emigrated to America. We are talking generations! David spoke to us about his time growing up in Los Angeles with his mother Lanna who appeared on more than 500 episodes of the popular soap opera Days of Our Lives as Marie Horton and his father who is still going strong at age 85. Depending on how old you are, you will know Lawrence's best from his roles in Nine to Five, Mulligan's Stew, M*A*S*H, Doogie Howser and so much more. We also talk about both of his parents love of theater and their time on Broadway, working on the stage prior to their move out to Los Angeles when David was seven years old. Along the way we speak about the such things as the CIA, Robby Benson's gang film Walk Proud, the difference between overtime and golden time on set, a fear of flying that led to a marriage, partying with Steve Coogan on the set of Tropic Thunder, famous LA restaurants, Jane Fonda's kindness at a dinner party and much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story. Take a listen.

Today on another episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we continue our conversation with actor Christopher Murray and delve deeper into some fun and fascinating new stories about his mother actor Hope Lange, father actor Don Murray and step father Director Alan J. Pakula. Christopher talks to us about one of the most interesting connections he and his parents have – Director David Lynch. Hope Lange starred in Blue Velvet and both Christopher and Don played roles on Twin Peaks all in three separate decades. A totally weird Lynchian through line that is perhaps only rivaled by Laura Dern and Diane Ladd. Moreover we discuss some of the backstage jealousies of making the film Bus Stop which his parents were both cast in – although no one knew they were married. It sheds a light on some of the insecurities and well documented frailties of Marilyn Monroe. We also discuss Sean Connery's golf game, Scarlett Johansen's first role in the film Just Cause, how you ingratiate yourself into the good graces of a Scotsman and more. This leads to a Christopher's reminisces of his truly remarkable stepfather Alan J. Pakula both at home and at work. From his time on the set of the film Klute where he met Jane Fonda to the trips Alan took he and his sister on to Morocco & Italy we really feel like we are getting a story very few know about. Part two of our conversation with Christopher is filled with beautiful memories and some tragic losses. Thanks for taking us along for the ride Chris. The Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to actor Christopher Murray, who we find out, was quite literally born into show business. From both his maternal and paternal grandparents as well as both of his parents, Christopher likely couldn't have escaped a career in front of the camera if he tried. So who are his parents? Well, both are Oscar nominated and his mother is a two-time Emmy award winner. Can you guess? None other than actors Don Murray & Hope Lange. Between his parents, they have starred in films and TV productions with Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Robert Wagner, Charles Laughton, Roddy McDowell, Michelle Lee, Kathleen Turner, Joan Crawford, Glenn Ford, Suzy Parker and more. And if that isn't enough, his stepfather was a giant of a director,  Alan J. Pakula who directed some of the best films of the 70s as well. Our time  with Christopher was more a conversation than an interview and frankly, those are the ones we love best on this podcast. We jumped around a lot but the connections were never more apparent than when we were discussing how it is that Charles Nelson Reilly spent so much time at his house. We delved into just about everything with Christopher to the story of how his parents helped displaced European war refugees from WWII & the Korean War that still functions to this day as well as the fabulous dinner parties his mother gave that were a safe haven for gay Hollywood couples in an era when things like that were very rare. This conversation that spans the stage, film and television and involves everyone from Hubert H. Humphrey to Eleanor Roosevelt, Sean Connery to Ed Harris & Freddy Kruger to Don Deer. But to hear all of those stories, we had to spread this episode into two parts – there was just too much great stuff to cut out. You'll have to take a listen to this episode, part one,  of the Rarified Heir Podcast to begin this verbal scavenger hunt.  Everyone has a story.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Christopher Lewis, son of entertainer & human juggernaut, the one, the only, Jerry Lewis. Chris was kind enough to reach out to us via a mutual connection at the Library of Congress and was pretty terrific about answering all our questions, big and small about the man known as “The King of Comedy.” The impetus for our chat was Chris' book Jerry Lewis on Being a Person, a 300+ page book is packed with photos, ruminations, life lessons, antidotes and more. It's a wonderful look at a complex comedian, director, writer, producer, golfer and philanthropist. Chris talked to us about his father and was frank about why he looks at his father with “rose colored glasses,” his father's lust for life and everything in between. Somehow we get to a vast amount of information on “Le Roi du Crazy” as the French called him. Our discussion hits everything from his love of audio and video technology to just how much of the Jerry Lewis archive was delivered to the Library of Congress. We also spoke about culturally significant high points like his guest appearance on Pink Lady and Jeff ans Slapstick (of Another Kind). Along the way we get to talking about The Day the Clown Cried, an true art imitates life Rupert Pupkin stalking situation that had everyone in the family on edge, why handshake deals were so important to Jerry and what comedians made Jerry Lewis laugh. All you have to do is sit back and listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Take a listen.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Victoria Riskin, daughter of actress Fay Wray & screenwriter Robert Riskin. We first learned about Victoria in a Los Angeles Times interview with her about her book, Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir & boy are we glad we reached out. Better yet, Victoria was an engaging guest full of great stories about her mother and father, her years growing up in Los Angeles, long lost LA haunts, her mother's fortitude over the years and her own career in Hollywood. While the kids love the buzz word, ‘iconic' these days, it's also the only real word to capture Fay Wray. She had a wonderfully full career in Hollywood which we discuss but it's her signature role as Ann Darrow in the 1933 film King Kong which fans remember as part of the golden age of Hollywood – and beyond. We also discuss her father, who wrote films for Frank Capra and we get a glimpse into their private life and courtship via our conversation about her memoir. There's also talk about Mary Tyler Moore, John Lithgow, Michael Caine, Bernadette Peters and Bob Hoskins. And if you've never heard of C.C. Brown's Ice Cream Parlor, well you are missing out on more Hollywood lore you never knew existed. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.

Today on an encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are evolving into a new lifeform as we sit down with Julie Nimoy and husband David Knight to talk about Julie's dad, Leonard Nimoy. Of course most of us know him as Mr. Spock, the Vulcan pop culture figure from the legendary TV show (and movies) Star Trek. But as you will hear from Julie, her father was a mercurial character who was fascinated with everything from cars to planes, from playwriting to photography, from painting to singing, there wasn't much Leonard Nimoy didn't do in his lifetime. Julie & David let us in on everything you'd want to know about Leonard Nimoy including the documentary they made for PBS Remembering Leonard Nimoy to their second documentary Wilder! which came about due to an unlikely friendship between Leonard and actor Gene Wilder. Bonus points if you can tell us what film they met on. Somehow we work in Mission Impossible, Night Gallery, Baffled!, In Search of….and so much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.

  Encore! Encore! Yes, today we present another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, and this one was a doozy! Our guest today is Matt Asner, son of actor and activist of the beloved Ed Asner. Matt spoke with us on the podcast about a myriad of things such as his youth spent on the MTM backlot while his dad was playing Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the story behind his dad's controversial stint as head of the Screen Actors Guild,  films like Fort Apache The Bronx, Pixar's Up, Elf and much more. We also hear from Matt about his years as a musical youth in punk bands like Insect Idol & Grand Manner, time spent with his dad's co-stars Ted Knight and Gavin McLeod as well as where his father liked to eat in Los Angeles. Most importantly we discuss Matt's work at The Ed Asner Family Center, which provides virtual and in-person camps, adult day programs, relationship courses, arts, and vocational, enrichments for special needs individuals and their families as well as in-person and Telehealth counseling and support groups. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.