[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E414-E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD KILEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret that I report to our 
colleagues the passing this past weekend of one of the outstanding 
actors in American show business--an individual for whom respect was 
universal.
  Richard Kiley was one of the most respected members of his craft 
because he brought sincerity and professionalism to everything he did. 
Richard Kiley was not only a gifted actor, but a great humanitarian, 
whose friendship spanned nearly a half century.
  Richard was one of the few people in show business who had the 
reputation of lending class to every project he had undertaken. From 
originating the starring role in ``Man of LaMancha'' to providing the 
voice over of thirty years of ``National Geographic'' documentaries, 
and from his Emmy-winning role as star of ``A Day In The Life'' to his 
guest appearances on various other programs, and his most recent film, 
``Patch Adams,'' Richard Kiley brought grace, dignity and intelligence 
to all of his many roles.
  In recent years, we came to rely on Richard Kiley, not only for his 
advocacy of the National Endowment for the Arts and other programs to 
encourage artistic development, but also his concern for the 
environment of his home town of Warwick.
  Richard Kiley is perhaps best known as the first actor to play the 
title role in ``Man of LaMancha'' for which he received the Tony Award 
for ``the most distinguished performance by a musical star'' as well as 
the Drama Critics Poll and the Drama League Award. He repeated the role 
in London Center, and on a record-breaking tour of the United States.
  Born in Chicago, Richard began his career in radio as a soap opera 
juvenile in such vintage favorites as ``The Guiding Light'' and ``Ma 
Perkins.'' After three-and-a-half years in the Navy, his first 
significant employment was to understudy Anthony Quinn in the touring 
company of ``A Streetcar Named Desire'' and later take over the role of 
Stanley. He was first seen on Broadway as Joey Percival in the 
successful revival of Shaw's ``Misalliance,'' for which he received the 
Theater World Award.
  Richard's first musical role was the Caliph in ``Kismet'' in which he 
introduced the classic, haunting song, ``Stranger in Paradise,'' which 
was one of the biggest hit songs of the 1950's. For a time he was in 
the enviable position of alternating straight plays with musicals, 
following the Caliph and Major Cargill in the Theater Guild's ``Time 
Limit.'' He co-starred with Gwen Verdon in ``Redhead,'' for which he 
won his first Tony Award. The following season he was seen as Brig 
Andersen in ``Advise and Consent,'' the dramatization of Allen Drury's 
Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, after which he co-starred with Diahann 
Carroll in Richard Rodgers' ``No Strings.''
  Richard co-starred with Colleen Dewhurst in the Spoleto Festival 
production of O'Neill's ``A Moon for the Misbegotten.'' He returned to 
Broadway as Caesar in ``Her First Roman,'' followed by the 
``Incomparable Max,'' ``Voices'' with Julie Harris, ``Absurd Person 
Singular,'' ``The Heiress,'' and ``Knickerbocker Holiday.'' He appeared 
at the Kennedy Center in ``The Master Builder'' and at the Edinburgh 
Festival in an American poetry reading with Princess Grace of Monaco. 
He played Tartuffe at Philadelphia's Drama Guild, Moliere in ``Spite of 
Himself'' at the Hartford Stage, and toured as Scrooge in a new musical 
version of ``A Christmas Carol.'' He was last seen on Broadway in 
the revival of Arthur Miller's ``All My Sons'' for which he received a 
Tony nomination.

  His television career began during the medium's ``Golden Age'' and 
continued until his death with regular guest appearances on many 
popular shows. He received both the Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for 
his performances in ``The Thorn Birds,'' as the lead star in the series 
``A Day In The Life,'' and as Kathy Baker's father on the acclaimed 
series, ``Picket Fences.''
  Richard Kiley's motion picture career began with his spellbinding, 
standout performance in the classic 1955 film, ``The Blackboard 
Jungle.'' Other notable performances include his roles in ``Eight Iron 
Men,'' ``The Phoenix City Story,'' ``The Little Prince,'' and ``Looking 
for Mr. Goodbar,'' in which he appeared as Diane Keaton's father. 
Richard also appeared in

[[Page E415]]

``Endless Love,'' and his last film, the box office and critical smash, 
``Patch Adams.'' Richard Kiley possessed one of the most melodious and 
thus frequently heard voices in show business. He narrated numerous 
television programs throughout the years, including thirty years of 
``National Geographic'' specials, ``Mysteries of the Bible,'' ``Nova,'' 
and ``The Planet Earth.''
  Unlike many successful show business personalities, Richard Kiley did 
not divorce himself from his community, but remained an activist who 
his neighbors in Warwick, NY, knew they could count upon for assistance 
with community concerns, most especially in protecting the local 
environment.
  Richard devoted time and energy to a number of charitable concerns, 
and has never been known to turn his back on any worthy cause or 
individual in need of help.
  Richard Kiley was truly a man for all seasons and all generations.
  We extend our condolences to Richard's widow Pat, and to his six 
children: Kathleen, Erin, Dierdre, David, Michael, and Dorothy. Richard 
also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  Richard Kiley was a person who could serve as a role model not only 
to aspiring actors and actresses, but to all young people who aspire to 
success in their professions and as good citizens. Richard Kiley is an 
individual whose shoes will be difficult to fill, and who will long be 
missed.

                          ____________________