The INSULT That Created The Big Bang Theory's Bill Prady
What happens when one of your biggest heroes completely crushes your dreams? In this episode of Dropping Names, Bill Prady shares the unbelievable story of how a disappointing meeting with legendary science fiction author Isaac Asimov unexpectedly launched his writing career. Along the way, Brent…
Two moments from this episode
Rod Steiger Keeps His Seat
At the wrap party for Lolly Madonna on the MGM soundstage, Brent was sitting at a table with Rod Steiger when actor Kiel Martin drove a car in through the open stage doors, sending tables piling into each other. Brent slid his chair back; Steiger never moved. Years later, on Hill Street Blues, Martin apologized and told Brent it had gotten him blacklisted from several studios.
“He just stood there. He says, that boy's been trying to kill me for months.”
Sammy Davis Jr. Loved Data
Brent was walking to the Paramount commissary in full Data makeup and gold costume when he spotted Sammy Davis Jr. standing in a doorway. Davis came running down the ramp to tell him he loved the show, and Brent told him he had loved Davis his whole life. He floated the rest of the way to lunch.
“Kid, I have, I love your show. And I said, Sammy, I have loved you my entire life.”
Names dropped in this episode
38 names come up in this episode, in the order they are mentioned. Tap a timestamp to jump straight to that moment.
Bill Prady
3:48American television writer and producer known for co-creating and producing The Big Bang Theory and… Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0
Dick Van Dyke
4:18American actor, comedian, singer, dancer and writer Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0
Michael Chiklis
4:18American actor, television producer, and director Wikipedia ↗
Photo: ChiksWiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sammy Davis Jr.
5:11American singer, actor, comedian and dancer Wikipedia ↗
Frank Sinatra
5:18American singer, conductor, and actor Wikipedia ↗
Eddie Murphy
6:55American comedian, actor, and singer Wikipedia ↗
Pinky Lee
9:39American actor of stage, screen, radio, and television Wikipedia ↗
Jimi Hendrix
9:45James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
Jim Henson
11:22American puppeteer, creative producer, filmmaker and director who achieved worldwide notability as the… Wikipedia ↗
Frank Oz
11:38Frank Richard Oznowicz , known professionally as Frank Oz, is an American puppeteer, filmmaker, and… Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Jay Dixit · CC BY 4.0
Jerry Lewis
15:42American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian Wikipedia ↗
Wendie Malick
18:24American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles in various television comedies. during… Wikipedia ↗
Photo: MingleMediaTVNetwork · CC BY-SA 2.0
Brian Benben
18:31American actor, best known for his role as Martin Tupper in the HBO comedy television series Dream On… Wikipedia ↗
Michael McKean
18:42American actor, comedian, screenwriter, composer, and musician Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com · CC BY-SA 2.0
Rupert Murdoch
18:53Australian-born American former business magnate, investor, and media mogul Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Eva Rinaldi · CC BY-SA 2.0
Isaac Asimov
21:36American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University Wikipedia ↗
Jonathan Harris
22:54American character actor whose career included more than 500 television and film appearances, as well… Wikipedia ↗
Robert Forster
30:49Robert Wallace Foster Jr. , known professionally as Robert Forster, was an American actor Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Toglenn · CC BY-SA 3.0
Phil Donahue
31:09American media personality, writer, film producer, and the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show Wikipedia ↗
Photo: jbach · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kevin Smith
35:35American filmmaker, actor, and podcaster Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Tim Blackmon for Galaxy Con · CC BY 4.0
Matt Weiner
39:06American television writer, producer, and director best known as the creator and showrunner of the… Wikipedia ↗
Photo: David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0
Nicole Holofcener
40:16American film and television director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Jan Beránek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Benjamin Franklin
43:41American polymath who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of… Wikipedia ↗
Carol Burnett
44:34American comedian, actress, singer and writer Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Dennis115 · CC BY 3.0
David Letterman
44:50American television host, comedian, writer, and producer Wikipedia ↗
Michael Keaton
44:57Michael John Douglas , known professionally as Michael Keaton, is an American actor Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dick Shawn
44:59American actor and comedian Wikipedia ↗
Irene Ryan
46:12American actress and comedienne who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway Wikipedia ↗
William Daniels
47:48American actor, known for his television roles, notably as Mark Craig on the drama series St.… Wikipedia ↗
Lin-Manuel Miranda
51:03American songwriter, actor, filmmaker, librettist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bonnie Bartlett
51:25American retired actress, best known for her television roles, with her career spanning some seven… Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Alan Light · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons.
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