Jay Thomas - imdb.com He guest starred in an episode of "Hung" on HBO. Most recently, he appeared in the Showtime series Ray Donovan. He said something to the effect of Its brutal. Jay Thomas, 'Murphy Brown' and 'Cheers' Actor, Dies at 69 - NBC News Even before Coach's departure, the show had introduced a wrench into the main romantic relationship between bar owner Sam Malone and uptight waitress Diane Chambers. But if that's what cost me my job, my wife will probably say, 'Hey [expletive], I told you so.'". He attended Gulf Coast College, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Central Piedmont College, and Jacksonville University, graduating with an AA, BS, and MA. His first TV role was in "Mork and Mindy". Jay runs afoul of Rhea Perlman! So, the decision was made to write him out of the show, to the dismay of the fans as folks seemed to like the on-screen chemistry of Thomas and Perlman. But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role on Cheers as Carla Tortelli's hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. Actor Jay Thomas, who won two Emmys for his guest role on Murphy Brown, died Thursday after a battle with cancer, The Daily News reports. Levine and his writing partner David Isaacs killed Eddie off-screen in a freak Zamboni accident, and then revealed at his funeral that hed been a polygamist all along. He was 69. (1982) after making a comment during a radio show in which he made fun of Rhea Perlman's looks. Ive always wanted to be one of those guys on late-night talk shows who everybody wants to see. He's acted here and there ever since (including a memorable supporting role in Mr. Holland's Opus). appreciated. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com. Recently he has hosted shows at Carolines in NYC and the Bellagio in Vegas. Jay Thomas the storyteller kept a story alive year after year, and Jay Thomas the actor gave sitcom fans a story to tell year after year. | The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).". Thomas is survived by wife, Sally, and his three sons. After kicking off his TV career with a supporting role in Robin Williams Mork & Mindy,Thomas became the go-to guy for sitcoms needing a pinch hitter (Family Tiesone week,The Golden Girls the next). Always had a smile and a kind word for me, a lowly board op at KIQQ. Publicity Listings Rhea was listening to the show and his character was killed off by a 'Zamboni incident' a few episodes later. Perlman was onCheersthroughout its 11-season run and won four Emmy awards for her work. Jay Thomas Cause of Death: How Did Jay Thomas Die | Observer And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed and Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? 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. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a fictional goalie for the Boston Bruins, who began dating waitress Carla. 2,911, This story has been shared 2,493 times. This story has been shared 4,038 times. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. He and Letterman also took turns throwing a football, trying to dislodge a meatball from the top of a Christmas tree. Like on Carson, when [Don] Rickles would come out. Thomas. "Since he was no longer on the show, Eddie also had to go. In addition, the actress denies the story, saying: That's not true. "I knew they were deciding [about] whether to add me or Bebe [Neuwirth] to the cast full-time, and I thought he was calling with good news. The tale of Thomas awkward exit from Cheershas become a bit of sitcom lore, a piece of TV history thats recounted time and time again. 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? While obviously one of the most amazing things that can happen to an actor working in television is to be part of a show that turns out to be a major hit (look at the ways that, say, the cast of Friends went from an assortment of mostly no-names, and "Hey, that's the girl from the Bruce Springsteeen video!" To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We'd really appreciate it. Now obviously, when you have a cast as large as Cheers, while they were able to add characters more easily than other shows, it was still not an easy thing to do, so there were plenty of reasons why the show would not be willing to add Thomas to the actual cast. Actor Jay Thomas attends the SIRIUS XM. 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 . Jay Thomas - Biography - IMDb And, according to the. to global superstars), there is something that is almost more amazing, which is to join one of these shows after it has become a hit and become accepted as part of the show's DNA. About that Lone Ranger story: Thomas was a radio host with big hair in Charlotte in the early 70s, and he and his producer offered to give Moore wearing his crime-fighter costume and mask for an appearance at a car dealership a ride to the airport. However, he never strayed to far from the airwaves as he launched the daily Jay Thomas Show on Sirius XM in 2005 and even served as a frequent substitute for Howard Stern. He will be dearly missed by so many, Estey said in a statement to CNN. 4,038, This story has been shared 3,913 times. 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 wacky thoughts and behavior," his agent, Don Buchwald, said. 11 Best New Movies on Netflix: March 2023's Freshest Films to Watch, 'Next In Fashion' Season 2 on Netflix: Follow the Designers on Instagram, The 8 Best Soundbars To Buy In 2023, Per Experts, 'Wheel of Fortune' Gets Awkward as Pat Sajak Snaps at Contestant for Grabbing Wheel: "Don't Touch That", Sex/Life Season 2: Adam Demos Tops His Famous Full Frontal Moment With, Uh, Tip, Is 'Yellowstone' On Tonight? In addition, Levine wrote about the incident on his amazing blog here, explaining how he came up with the episode where they killed off Eddie. Jay Thomas Thomas appeared on nine episodes altogether. Instead, his character was killed off-screen in Season 8. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. Then on to LA radio as the #1 jock at Power 106, The Ensemble Theater Group, and recurring on "Cheers" as Carla's ice hockey playing husband. Finally we decided to marry them. 1,917, This story has been shared 1,836 times. Cheers Actor Jay Thomas Dead at 69 - TVLine Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. 1,686, This story has been shared 1,313 times. In Season 6, they got married and it seemed like Thomas would be sticking around. Paramount Television Actor Jay Thomas, known for his roles on "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," died Thursday following a battle with . However, in Season 7, Eddie is killed off. 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? READ THIS NEXT:The Most Hated TV Couples of All Time. And it has nothing to do with Rhea. . Deaths aren't exactly commonplace for sitcoms, so Eddie's death may leave viewers wondering if there was a real-life reason for the narrative choice. Maybe Tina Fey, maybe. 17 Things 'Cheers' Fans Never Knew - Page 4 of 17 - Fame Focus Eventually, Carla finds out she is pregnant with Eddie's twins, and the pair decide to get married. The colorful anecdote involved Thomas giving a ride to a costumed Clayton Moore, star of TVs The Lone Ranger, and getting involved in a minor car crash that escalated into more. He got his start on television in 1979 as Remo DaVinci, the co-owner of a New York deli, on ABCsMork & Mindy. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site. He was a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman.". Sometimes they are true but sometimes it is a matter of wishful thinking and they didn't get the job for other, more traditional reasons (the actor wasn't good enough for the role, there wasn't enough money in the budget to add another regular, etc.). In our world, you don't wind up sleeping with the fishes; you die a violent yet comedic death.". 2. He was a delightful character. TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers - CBR Why did the show write him, and even have him die? According to the book (via Page Six), a listener called in to Thomas' show and asked what it was like being part of Cheers, to which Thomas responded, "It's brutal. Jay Thomas attends "Hateship Loveship" film premiere at the Cinema Society in New York, April 8, 2014. See The Behind-The-Scenes Drama On Cheers That Had Jay Thomas Written Off The Show. And I think I did a pretty good job, although maybe it wasnt good enough for him.. The comedy, about a bar in Boston, lost one of its main characters after the third season when Nicholas Colasanto, who played the beloved bartender Coach, passed away. It is very difficult to work your way into a hit TV show after it has become a hit. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. His most recent credits include appearances on Bones, NCIS: New Orleans, and Ray Donovan.. Jay Thomas kissed and told too much Between 1987 and 1989, the late Jay Thomas played the recurring role of hockey player Eddie LeBec on the hit sitcom Cheers. Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) in Season 5 and the two continue to date on-and-off for a while. Kissing This "Cheers" Star Was "Brutal," Cast Member Said - Yahoo! He worked at stations in Panama City; Pensacola, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C., where he earned nicknames like The Mouth of the South, The Scorpion and The Prince of Darkness.. He features legends about entertainment and sports at his website, Legends Revealed and other pop culture features at Pop Culture References. Jay Thomas was one of the funniest and kindest men I have had the honor to call both client and friend for 25 years plus. In a statement, Thomas' friend and agent. When asked about kissing Carla on Cheers, Thomas noted he received combat pay for doing so. SinceCheers was primarily set at a bar, we only saw Carlas home life when it pulled up a stool. Cheers: Heres Why Jay Thomas Left the Show. At his funeral, it was revealed that Eddie secretly had another wife. Here is where things get a bit disputed. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. It resulted in him getting his own show in Seattle years later. On the way, a car backed into their Volvo during a traffic jam and fled. Reared in New Orleans, he was always active in sports and performing. Best Picture Nominee Triangle of Sadness Is Now Streaming on Hulu, When Does 'Black Girl Missing' Premiere on Lifetime? Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. TIL actor Jay Thomas got his character, Eddie LeBec, killed off of the In a way thats fitting, as Thomas was also known for his annual telling of a Lone Ranger story onThe Late Show with David Lettermans annual Christmas episodes. His apprenticeship duties involved building sets at this summer stock theatre. [January 2005]. Maybe we should have. Cheers was an iconic show from decades ago starring Ted Danson and friends. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? He was 69. and one book, 100 Things X-Men Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, from Triumph Books. Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player. Every holiday season since 1998, he was asked by, Was the Morning man at New York City radio station WXRK, just prior to. His writing has been featured at ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times, About.com, the Huffington Post and Gizmodo. 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. . American Actor Jay Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell on 12th July, 1948 in Kermit, Texas and passed away on 24th Aug 2017 Santa Barbara, California aged 69. Thomas died after a battle with cancer, his friend and longtime agent Don Buchwald confirmed to the New York Daily News. Has three sons in total, Jake and Sam, with wife Sally Michelson, plus another son, During the summer of 1967, Jay (then Jon Terrell) worked as an apprentice at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, Connecticut. Start Time, How To Watch. in which he played Rhea Perlman's . 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. Thomas chased the vehicle, then confronted the other driver who denied anything had happened and told him he was going to call the cops. Following his comment, Thomas was not simply written out of the showhe was written off the show through his character meeting a painful, embarrassing end. 2,179, This story has been shared 1,917 times. So Cheers had clearly established itself as a series where notable characters could be added to the ensemble. He was 69. I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman. We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. 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 . Kevin Levine, a former writer on Cheers, wrote that Thomas said on the spot, said something to the effect of Its brutal. His other wife, it turned out, looked just like Carla. Sitcom vet Jay Thomas, best known for his recurring roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died. However, after his less than pleasant comments on a radio show he was hosting . Eddie, by then, was working as a penguin in an ice show so we arrived at a Zamboni machine accident. Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. Jay now hosts a daily talk show on Sirius "Stars" channel and is selling high end real estate in Santa Barbara. Eddie is killed off (off-screen) in Season 8's "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice," where we also learn he was married to another woman. 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. CBR Senior Writer Brian Cronin has been writing professionally about comic books for over fifteen years now at CBR (primarily with his Comics Should Be Good series of columns, including Comic Book Legends Revealed). For Kelsey to suggest anything other is not to give himself enough credit. Eddie died in a Zamboni accident off-screen, and his character was only maligned further. Thomas was 69. And my joke what that I got combat's pay to kiss her." "I'm doingCheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy [Burrows]," Thomas said. He said, like in a movie, 'Are you sitting down?' However, I think it is fair to say a leading cause in Thomas' dismissal had to do with comments he made on his radio program (Thomas still kept his disc jockey job even while acting). 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. Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again. He recalled: I'm doing Cheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy. As you can imagine, important people heard that interview and were not happy about it. Jay Thomas died on Thursday at 69 after a battle with cancer. Updated All Rights Reserved. He appeared as a leading guest star in dozens of sitcoms, cop shows, and MOW's opposite Judith Light, John Tuturro, and Christine Lahti. Thomas also had a turn on "Cheers" as Rhea Perlman's TV-husband Eddie LeBec, a Boston Bruins hockey player who was killed by a Zamboni. As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. quotes, ), Then 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 Carlas life. A native of Kermit, Texas, who was raised in New Orleans, Thomas got his start in radio as a high school football announcer for the Rutherford High Rams in Panama City, Fla. Appearing as an annual Christmas guest alongside Letterman has been fun, hesaid in 2014. Originally intended for just a short story arc, Diane's new boyfriend, Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane, ended up sticking with the show for the rest of its run (plus 11 more seasons in his own spinoff series). He was replaced by a young hayseed named Woody Boys, played by Woody Harrelson (amazingly enough, the character was named Woody before Harrelson was cast), who improbably became even more popular than Coach! During the panel discussion for the 200th episode of Cheers that aired in Season 9, Thomas heckled the cast and crew (presumably as a joke) over being written off the show. Jay Thomas, a comic and character actor whose credits include roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died after a battle with cancer, according to his publicist Tom Estey. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Actor Jay Thomas, best known for his roles in the classic sitcoms "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," has died, according to his publicist. Watch popular content from the following creators: goodtimeediting (@goodtimeediting), Sumovie (@sumovie363), AlienWarr (@alienwarr), Norm! 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. He first told the story in 1998 and returned almost every year to tell it again until Letterman retired. These became such a distraction that management changed his duties to mowing the lawn on the grounds. The same writer wrote about Kelsey on the show, Quite simply, he was retained because he was terrific and once everyone saw the dynamics between his character and the others in the bar it was clear that Frasier Crane was a keeper. "It's brutal, I have to kiss Rhea Perlman". Follow him on Twitter at @Brian_Cronin and feel free to e-mail him suggestions for stories about comic books that you'd like to see featured at [email protected]! Jay Thomas Dead: 'Murphy Brown,' 'Cheers' Actor Was 69 - The Hollywood 'Cheers': Here's Why Jay Thomas Left the Show - Outsider 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 Episode Guide: How Many Episodes of 'Mandalorian' Will There Be on Disney+? Jay Thomas, the good-natured . One of his biggest roles was as loudmouth TV host Jerry Gold . (@norm.of.cheers), Where everybody knows ur name (@welcome.to.cheers) . She said, 'I want him off the show,'" Levine claimed. American Actor Jay Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell on 12th July, 1948 in Kermit, Texas and passed away on 24th Aug 2017 Santa Barbara, California aged 69. He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). By the way I used to ride the elevator with Jay as he was heading to his morning show at Power / Magic, whatever the hell it was. The actor, who went on to have a recurring role onMurphy Brown,added, "Look, I made jokes about kissing Murphy Brown [too]. Discovery Company. Carla got pregnant with Eddies kid in Season Six, leading to the two getting hitched in the two-parter Little Carla, Happy at Last.. 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. Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. Thomas often played loud, sleazy types: He recurred on ShowtimesRay DonovanasMarty Grossman, the operator of a salacious TMZ-like website. Instead, Thomas is sent off to perform in an ice show, making just two appearances in Season 7 after seven episodes in Season 6. In an oral history of Cheers published by GQ in 2012, Thomas, Perlman, and writer Ken Levine spoke about Thomas being written out of the show. Thomas moved to New York for a job at the FM station 99X and then did stand-up comedy at the Improv and acted in off-Broadway plays. And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia! Actor Jay Thomas has died at 69. 1,091. When Thomas joined Cheers, he was already known for his starring role as Remo on Mork&Mindy and for appearing on other shows including Family Ties and The Love Boat. He recurred on Mork & Mindy as deli owner Remo DaVinci, played the love interest of Rhea Perlmans Carla Tortelli on Cheers, and played tabloid talk show host Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown.. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman." 3,885, This story has been shared 3,505 times. As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. Eddie showed up a few more times in Season Six and Seven, but then something major happened off-camera in between April and November of 1989. A notable exception was Cheers. So why do I lean toward it being true? TV URBAN LEGEND: Jay Thomas' character on Cheers was killed off because he called Rhea Perlman ugly. His character was not just dropped but killed off - death by . The two-time Emmy winner most recently appeared on 'Ray Donovan' and spent many a Christmas season with David Letterman. And he goes, "Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. He was also a radio DJ and continued to host a radio show while he was on Cheers. videos, 3,505, This story has been shared 2,911 times. A few episodes of recurring bliss and then one day on Jays radio show a caller asked him what it was like to be on Cheers? I loved Jay, Letterman told CNN in a statement. "Rhea came up to my office and she was furiousI'd never seen her like this. On the latter, his character winds up appearing in an ice show and gets killed by a Zamboni. (1987 -. Thomas won two Emmy awards for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Gold. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Jay Thomas, actor and legendary Charlotte DJ, dies at 69 | Charlotte Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup. 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. First off, we needed a funny demise. Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. 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. Mark King & Rhea Perlman 1983 Press Photo 7x9 Cheers TV Show *P69a Eventually, she became pregnant with twins, and the pair got married. Don Buchwald, his longtime agent and friend, said Thomas died at his home in Santa Barbara after a battle with cancer. 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. Famous last words and two seconds later Jay Thomas was a "dead Cheers actor" walking. ', "Well," Levine wrote, "guess who happened to be listening. His departure ended up being a bit more complicated, however, as viewers were a fan of Carla and Eddie as a couple. Login His zodiac sign is Cancer. And I love football, so my two big dreams were totally realized.. In a statement to the NY Daily News, Thomas' rep, Don Buchwald, said, "Jay was one of . Hilariously, though, the writers made his demise rather humorous as they revealed he had another wife who looked just like Carla on the show. Thomas popped up 9 times between 1987 and 1989, starting with the Season Five two-parter Never Love a Goalie.Carla (Rhea Perlman) and Eddie, the goalie for the Boston Bruins, hit it off immediately, even if their love affair put a temporary jinx on the Bruins wining streak. 1,836, This story has been shared 1,686 times. He later landed a recurring role as the hockey-playing husband of Rhea Perlman's character on "Cheers." He won back-to-back Emmys in 1991-92 for the guest role on "Murphy Brown," playing outspoken . Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane, was also not a lock to remain on the show long-term. Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in Cheers(1982) together. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in Cheers (1982) together.. About. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. How Jay Thomas Earned Sitcom Infamy By Getting Killed Off On - Decider Thomas went on to have a recurring role on Murphy Brown and then a starring role on the sitcom Love and War (from Murphy Brown creator Diane English). As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. 1,120, This story has been shared 1,091 times.