The late director James Sheldon, who died in 2016, spoke with novelist Matthew Rettenmund in 2015
I met radio veteran and prolific TV director James Sheldon when I sat in the front row of an Oct. 12, 2015, screening ofJim was two seats down, having chosen the spot due to macular degeneration and hearing impairment. He was a tall, silver-haired gent who immediately placed his hand on my knee for emphasis as we chatted — not to emphasize any point he was making, but to ensure I knew he was not a sexless antique in spite of being 94 years old.
Before he died on March 12, 2016 of prostate cancer at age 95 — less than five months after I met him — Jim called me to thank me for my friendship, for my part in making him happy at the end of his life. He told me he had had a good run and was ready. I always enjoyed running into children of famous movie stars. A girl that I went with for years was [Judy Lewis,] Loretta Young’s daughter by Clark Gable, but they never had been married. Judy and I became best friends and we went out together over the years. She died last year. Terrible.-fucker. [Laughs] Ernst Lubitsch’s daughter Nicola, Nicola Lubitsch, I went with for years and we’re still very close friends. She lives in California.
I went away to college and I became a member of the Carolina Playmakers. I never did very well as an actor, but I worked backstage. I always wanted to be a director. I wasn’t sure if it would be in the theater or radio — there was no television then — and I got a job offer from an agent to be their assistant, but they didn’t offer me any money, and then NBC offered me $14.50 a week so I went to work at NBC.
MR: You managed to direct him twice, but he died so quickly. Is it true he wasn’t really a star until his death?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Late Late Show with James Corden | Virtual Screening Series Full EventCheck out the full virtual screening + panel of the latelateshow with JKCorden
Read more »
James Burrows Remembers Carl Reiner: 'The Comedy World's Greatest Straight Man'
Read more »
Cat Deeley shares rare photo of son James inside family's stunning gardenSo You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of her son James inside their garden at home during lockdown
Read more »
No more 'stupid pet tricks': How coronavirus changed James Corden's style'The Late Late Show' host talks Fallon, Kimmel, Letterman and how his approach to hosting has evolved during the pandemic on a new episode of our TV podcast.
Read more »
Ola and James Jordan's sweet moments with their baby girl EllaOla and James Jordan are proud parents to baby girl Ella. Here, we look back at the former Strictly Come Dancing stars' sweetest photos with their daughter – from cute newborn to first family selfie
Read more »
Chris Evans and Lily James Were Photographed Eating Ice Cream on a London Park DateChris Evans and Lily James, the actors behind Captain America and Cinderella respectively, continued to stoke dating rumors in London this week with another photographed outing.
Read more »