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The Life of Reilly

Play trailer Poster for The Life of Reilly 2007 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Born in 1931 to an alcoholic father and a racist mother, Charles Nelson Reilly grows up in a dysfunctional environment. When he begins to pursue acting, his homosexuality causes him to lose many job opportunities, but Reilly becomes a resilient public figure with a thriving career. Achieving fame as a 1970s game show host and late-night talk show fixture, Reilly also works steadily as an actor, theater director and drama coach. In this monologue, he recounts his life story.
The Life of Reilly

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Critics Consensus

The Life of Reilly is a humorous and endearing look at the late comedian.

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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 03/10/2009
B-
...he's far more candid recalling his grand delusions in a school play than he is when he gets to Broadway and Hollywood. Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/10/2009
...it's a funny and frequently affecting reminiscence... Go to Full Review Joe Leydon Variety 03/10/2009
Life of Reilly is vivid proof that living well, and laughing heartily, can be the best revenge. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/14/2020
3.0/4.0
An entertaining, touching and funny look at a man whose Hollywood life is truly worth remembering. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/26/2020
Charles Nelson Reilly ranges from the jocular and anecdotal to a banshee-like wail as if he were a very queer Lear. Go to Full Review Dave White Movies.com 04/04/2011
4.5/5
It was shot just before he died, so it's a nice record of his life in his own words, a life that included bizarre family situations as well as his solo navigation of Hollywood as a decidedly unconventional celebrity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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08/17/2013 Some people live their lives . Others mske their lives happen. one of my very favorites. See more 06/16/2013 Wow. What a powerful retrospective on a life many might have dismissed as silly and insignificant. This intimate one-man-show reminds us of the profound humanity of those around us -- even those of whom we have not thought to take notice before. A real "check" on life and a beautifully disappointing time capsule. See more 06/13/2012 I first remember seeing Charles Nelson Reilly in the show THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR. I loved his character and when he came on the screen I knew I was going to laugh. There was The Match Game show, and he was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson, over 100 times. This is a fantastic, touching, funny one-man live stage recording of Charles Nelson Reilly's recollection of his life. It was mainly filmed from the last time he ever performed THE LIFE OF REILLY in 2004. He had a zany family, famous friends and a fabulous life. And that laugh. See more 03/22/2012 Charles Nelson Reilly! in the last show he ever made. See more 02/22/2012 Charles Nelson Reilly is a great story teller, and he's still funny as hell. This is a one man show that never gets boring. I love this guy. Even if you've never heard of him, watch this, and if you have heard of him.. no.. he's not dead. See more 02/01/2012 Amazing one man show in which O'Reilly takes us through his remarkable life. One of those lives that makes you shake your head in astonishment at the resilience of the human spirit. Would I have liked more show-biz stories? Sure. But what is here is great enough. I'm so grateful he did this before he died. See more Read all reviews
The Life of Reilly

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Cast & Crew

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Barry Poltermann

Director

Frank Anderson

Director

Charles Nelson Reilly

Screenwriter

Paul Linke

Screenwriter

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The Life of Reilly

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Movie Info

Synopsis Born in 1931 to an alcoholic father and a racist mother, Charles Nelson Reilly grows up in a dysfunctional environment. When he begins to pursue acting, his homosexuality causes him to lose many job opportunities, but Reilly becomes a resilient public figure with a thriving career. Achieving fame as a 1970s game show host and late-night talk show fixture, Reilly also works steadily as an actor, theater director and drama coach. In this monologue, he recounts his life story.
Director
Barry Poltermann, Frank Anderson
Screenwriter
Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Linke
Distributor
Reel Diva
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$38.3K
Runtime
1h 30m