The thing that's funny is that everyone thinks I'm dead.

Reilly's acting students included Lily Tomlin Bette Midler and Gary Burghoff. His mother foreshadowing his future as an entertainer often would tell him to "save it for the stage. Despite the previous year's success of Levin's Deathtrap Break a Leg closed after one performance.

Charles Nelson Reilly (January 13 1931 – May 25 2007) was an American actor comedian director and drama teacher known for his comedic roles in stages films children's television cartoons and game show panelist.