RICHARD KILEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 315771

RICHARD KILEY
Actor sends quick letter to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, updating him on his latest work
Autograph letter signed: "Richard Kiley" in black felt tip. 1 page, 4½x7. Written on personal stationary. In full: "Dear John, A little late, but thank you for your very kind note. I guest "Max" was a bit too civilized for today's theatre, but I did enjoy my two roles while we lasted. (I did mention the Theatre World Award in my bio, but it got trimmed because of lack of space!) Best Regards". Singer and actor Richard Kiley (1922-1999) won Tony Awards for Best Actor (Musical) for Redhead (1959) and Man of La Mancha (1966), for which he created his signature role as Don Quixote (as well as Cervantes). Kiley, who was also nominated for a Tony in the same category for No Strings (1962) and nominated in the Best Actor (Play) category for a 1987 revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons, did very little singing in his film and television roles. Kiley, who appeared on television from early anthologies (Robert Montgomery Presents, Pulitzer Prize Playhouse; 1951) to Ally McBeal (1998), also had regular roles on such series as The Edge of Night (1961), A Year in the Life (1987-1988) and The Great Defender (1995), and he appeared in a number of made-for-TV movies and miniseries, including How the West Was Won (1977) and a starring role as Paddy Cleary in The Thorn Birds (1983). Kiley's film credits include Blackboard Jungle (1955), The Little Prince (1974), Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Jurassic Park (1993, Jurassic Park Tour Voice), Phenomenon (1996) and Patch Adams (1998). John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Toned. Ink smeared. Corners rounded. Otherwise, fine condition.