Title:
Steven Wright ACA Oral History, June 10, 2019.
Creator:
Wright, Steven, 1955-
Creator:
Brill, Eddie
Creator:
Matz, Jenni
Creator:
Emerson College. American Comedy Archives
Creator:
McKeen, Karen
Record Type:
digital moving image formats
Record Type:
oral histories (literary works)
Date:
2019-06-10
Description:
In his nearly two-and-a-half hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Steven Wright, talks about his early comedic career and his anxiety performing in front of audiences. He also discusses his first performance at the 'Comedy Connection' at Charles Street Playhouse on Warrenton Street in Boston, performing at Ding Ho, a Chinese restaurant in Inman Square in Cambridge, MA where producer Peter LaSalle saw him and booked him for 'The Tonight Show.' He reminisces about attending Emerson College and how the atmosphere, students, and Emerson Comedy Workshop inspired his creativity. He also discusses learning different techniques when performing in front of an audience and coming up with material. He recounts working with several friends, like Mike McDonald, and how other comedians, like Woody Allen, George Carlin, and Johnny Carson and listening to comedy albums, influenced his writing. He also discusses how several "flukes" helped his career, including him getting the role in Quentin Tarantino's film, "Reservoir Dogs." Eddie Brill and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on June 10, 2019 in Boston, MA at Emerson College. Additional topics covered include: Advice, Creative Influences and Inspiration, and Comedy. Also, discusses performances, writing short films, and roles in films and television series, such as 'Desperately Seeking Susan,' 'Mad About You,' 'One Soldier,' and 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.'
Extent:
02:15:45
Subject:
Actors
Subject:
Career development
Subject:
Comedians
Subject:
Allen, Woody, 1935-
Subject:
Armstrong, Mike
Subject:
Carlin, George
Subject:
Carson, Johnny, 1925-2005
Subject:
Clarke, Lenny, 1953-
Subject:
Cosby, Bill, 1937-
Subject:
Crimmins, Barry
Subject:
Donovan, Mike
Subject:
Klein, Marty
Subject:
Klein, Robert, 1942-
Subject:
LaSalle, Peter
Subject:
McDonald, Mike
Subject:
Monty Python (Comedy troupe)
Subject:
Tarantino, Quentin
Subject:
Tingle, Jimmy
Collection:
Bill Dana Oral History Interview Collection (ACC-MSS 002), 1L
Location:
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Rights Restrictions:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) (http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/). For questions about rights statements, or access to the original document please contact the Emerson College Archives and Special Collections at www.emerson.edu/library/archives.
Access Restrictions:
No known access restrictions.
Language:
English
Identifier:
acc_mss002_wright_2019_06_10.mp4
