In a statement to the NY Daily News, Thomas' rep, Don Buchwald, said, "Jay was one of . 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. ', "Well," Levine wrote, "guess who happened to be listening. He said something to the effect of Its brutal. He was 69. 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. Jay Thomas Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas in Cheers (1982) Close 36 of 47 Jay Thomas36 of 47 Rhea Perlmanand Jay Thomasin Cheers (1982) PeopleRhea Perlman, Jay Thomas TitlesCheers Photo by NBC/NBC via Getty Images - NBC Universal, Inc. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers. Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. He will be dearly missed by so many, Estey said in a statement to CNN. Survivors include his wife Sally and sons Sam, Max and J.T. 2,911, This story has been shared 2,493 times. 2. Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully wacky thoughts and behavior," his agent, Don Buchwald, said. When this actor insulted his co-star, he evidently couldn't foresee the consequences he would face. Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again. And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia! So why do I lean toward it being true? I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.. One of the greatest strengths of the classic show is itsensemble cast, who portrayed the gang of compelling characters from the ladies' man bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson) to his on-and-off academic girlfriend Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) who are still celebrated today. He was 69. Jay Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, to Katherine (Guzzino), a tap-dancing South Louisiana belle of Italian descent, and T. Harry Terrell, Sr., an oil man. Help us build our profile of Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas! He was a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman.". Jay now hosts a daily talk show on Sirius "Stars" channel and is selling high end real estate in Santa Barbara. Famous last words and two seconds later Jay Thomas was a "dead Cheers actor" walking. Start Time, How To Watch. Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. Thomas TV career started in the early 80s, and he quickly amassed a number of credits. Plus, nobody could throw a football like Jay. LeBec is a hockey player for. He got his start on television in 1979 as Remo DaVinci, the co-owner of a New York deli, on ABCsMork & Mindy. His claim to fame was to serve as the dresser for, He lost his recurring role as Carla's husband on, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Actors and Celebrities Who Died of Cancer, Sally Michelson Thomas has been telling the story for years, but hes not exactly the best source, as people always tend to come up with reasons for why they didnt get a particular job. Thomas also starred on his own sitcom, playing an egotistical sportswriter opposite Susan Dey and then Annie Potts on CBSLove and War, a 1992-95 series created by Murphy Browns Diane English. and more from FamousFix.com, See 2,493, This story has been shared 2,429 times. 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 . | They were right. TIL actor Jay Thomas got his character, Eddie LeBec, killed off of the TV show "Cheers" when he talked about how horrible it was to kiss his character's wife, Rhea Perlman, on his radio show. Paramount Television Actor Jay Thomas, known for his roles on "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," died Thursday following a battle with . And he goes, 'Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. All Rights Reserved. He also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles and, most recently, had a daily gig with SiriusXM. 2023 Cable News Network. The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).". Emmy-winning actor JAY THOMAS is best known to audiences as doomed hockey star Eddie LeBec on "Cheers" and tabloid talker Jerry Gold on "Murphy Brown," but he's also a show business renaissance man, having worked as a stand-up comic, disc jockey, sportscaster and reality show host. This story has been shared 4,038 times. Thomas chased the vehicle, then confronted the other driver who denied anything had happened and told him he was going to call the cops. 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. Cheers was an iconic show from decades ago starring Ted Danson and friends. In his new book, Directed by James Burrows, Cheers co-creator James Burrows tells his version ofthe story. She said, "I want him off the show.". Thomas and the producer had just gotten stoned, he said. However, Jay Thomas, who played ice hockey player Eddie Lebec on the show, was killed off not too long after marrying one of the main characters in the show to Carla. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. And The Lone . Her zodiac sign is Aries. He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. 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. 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. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. These became such a distraction that management changed his duties to mowing the lawn on the grounds. He's acted here and there ever since (including a memorable supporting role in Mr. Holland's Opus). 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? "Rhea came up to my office and she was furiousI'd never seen her like this. What about Long and Ted Danson? But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role onCheers as Carla Tortellis hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. Sitcom vet Jay Thomas, best known for his recurring roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died. TV URBAN LEGEND: Jay Thomas' character on Cheers was killed off because he called Rhea Perlman ugly. How Playwright Sam Hunter Processed His Own Trauma, Netflix's 'Money Shot' Documentary Trailer Shines A Harsh Light On Pornhub, The "Most Trafficked Website In The World", 'The Skinny Shot' on Hulu Is An Ozempic "Documentary" That Plays More Like A Commercial, Where Is Estonia Located? Season 6 saw the show change dramatically with the addition of the aforementioned Kirstie Alley, and in that season, LeBec and Carla got married. Thats exactly what it looked like was going to happen with Jay Thomas' character, Eddie LeBec, who joined the show in Season 5 as the boyfriend to Rhea Perlman's character, the perpetually pregnant waitress Carla. More recently, he appeared as tabloid journalist Marty Grossman on "Ray Donovan. 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. And he goes, "Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. 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. Maybe we should have. He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. And, according to the co-creator of the series, Thomas could have appeared on even more episodes of the popular show if he hadn't insulted Perlman during a radio show. And, according to the. on CBS' Murphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlman's husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the . Every holiday season since 1998, he was asked by, Was the Morning man at New York City radio station WXRK, just prior to. In addition, the actress denies the story, saying: That's not true. Thomas won two Emmy awards for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Gold. But if that's what cost me my job, my wife will probably say, 'Hey [expletive], I told you so.'". The show actually aired longer without its original female lead than it did with her, a remarkable achievement for any television show. Jay broadcast from California, New York, and New Orleans. quotes, She heard the broadcast. | 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. Thomas. He attended Gulf Coast College, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Central Piedmont College, and Jacksonville University, graduating with an AA, BS, and MA. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. His apprenticeship duties involved building sets at this summer stock theatre. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman., Well, guess who happened to be listening. It resulted in him getting his own show in Seattle years later. She heard this interview and Eddie was written off the show. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. 1,120, This story has been shared 1,091 times. Thomas appeared on nine episodes altogether. In this weeks installment, Was Superman a Spy? Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. WhenCheers came back for Season Eight, Eddie was nowhere to be seen. Cheers was an iconic show of the time, but it certainly had a lot going on behind the scenes. First off, we needed a funny demise. He was 69. Ive always wanted to be one of those guys on late-night talk shows who everybody wants to see. 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. That was it for Eddie LeBec. "I'm doingCheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy [Burrows]," Thomas said. Levine also notes that this episode ended up earning them an Emmy nod, making the whole situation a win for everyone involved except Thomas, of course. Here's an amusing post-script. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in Cheers(1982) together. 17 Things 'Cheers' Fans Never Knew. Instead, Thomas is sent off to perform in an ice show, making just two appearances in Season 7 after seven episodes in Season 6. Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. Thomas played "Eddie LeBec," Carla's boyfriend and later husband on the show. 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." [January 2005]. videos Jay Thomas was doing a radio interview and he was insulting toward having to kiss Rhea Perlman. On the latter, his character winds up appearing in an ice show and gets killed by a Zamboni. And my joke what that I got combat's pay to kiss her." and one book, 100 Things X-Men Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, from Triumph Books. Did you encounter any technical issues? He was a delightful character. Instead, his character was killed off-screen in Season 8. 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. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. Rhea was listening to the show and his character was killed off by a 'Zamboni incident' a few episodes later. He was 69. Actor Jay Thomas, who cut his teeth in the entertainment business as a legendary DJ for Charlotte radio station Big WAYS in the 1970s, has died at 69. . Actor Jay Thomas, best known for his roles in the classic sitcoms "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," has died, according to his publicist. One of his biggest roles was as loudmouth TV host Jerry Gold . So Cheers had clearly established itself as a series where notable characters could be added to the ensemble. Updated Jay Thomas attends "Hateship Loveship" film premiere at the Cinema Society in New York, April 8, 2014. He boxed, wrestled, played football, and ran track. The two-time Emmy winner most recently appeared on 'Ray Donovan' and spent many a Christmas season with David Letterman. Thomas. Finally, and most importantly, Kirstie Alley successfully replaced the female lead Shelley Long (who played Diane) after Season 5. Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully whacky thoughts and behavior, wrote Buchwald. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #rheaperlman . Biological father of musician and songwriter, The Jay Thomas Show was heard for a number of years on Sirius Satellite Radio Monday through Fridays, 3:00PM to 6:00PM on Sirius Stars Too, Channel 108. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Eventually, Carla finds out she is pregnant with Eddie's twins, and the pair decide to get married. Hilariously, though, the writers made his demise rather humorous as they revealed he had another wife who looked just like Carla on the show. ", The Sirius radio host also had roles in films including "Mr. Holland's Opus," "The Santa Clause 2" and "The Santa Clause 3." Reared in New Orleans, he was always active in sports and performing. Rhea Perlman is a 74 year old American Actress. Eddie died in a Zamboni accident off-screen, and his character was only maligned further. 4. SinceCheers was primarily set at a bar, we only saw Carlas home life when it pulled up a stool. Long was a superstar on the program for years, but, ultimately, she was not long for the show as many expected when it first hit the small screen. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6161 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? Finally we decided to marry them. Actor Jay Thomas attends the SIRIUS XM. Burrows writes, "That was it. Thomas played the obnoxious TV talk-show host Jerry Gold (and Candice Bergens on-again, off-again boyfriend) on CBSMurphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlmans husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the Boston Bruins, on NBCsCheers.
