Beatrice Lang
The cast of the American educational children's television series *The Electric Company* went on to do a variety of things after the show ended in 1977. The original cast included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, Judy Graubart, Lee Chamberlin, and Skip Hinnant. Freeman went on to become a highly successful actor, playing roles such as Nelson Mandela and winning an Oscar. Cosby, who played Honest John and a Musketeer on the show, went on to star in *The Cosby Show* and achieved significant milestones in the entertainment industry. However, he was later convicted and sentenced to prison on sexual assault charges. Moreno, who had been in show business for over 20 years before joining the cast, reflected on her time on the show as a wonderful experiment. Other cast members, such as Graubart, went on to act in other shows, while the comedy writers worked on successful adult TV shows like *MASH* and *Everybody Loves Raymond*. The show also featured guest stars like Mel Brooks, Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, and Joan Rivers. A reboot of the show aired from 2009 to 2011, featuring new cast members like Jenni Barber and Coy Stewart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original cast members | Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, Judy Graubart, Lee Chamberlin, Skip Hinnant |
| Guest stars | Mel Brooks, Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers |
| Number of episodes | 780 |
| Number of seasons | 6 |
| Notable cast members | Rita Moreno, Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby |
| Notable cast member achievements | Morgan Freeman became the voice of God, Rita Moreno played Anita in the film adaptation of West Side Story, Bill Cosby created The Cosby Show |
| Cast member's post-show careers | Morgan Freeman went on to act in several films; Rita Moreno gave an interview with Terry Gross of WHYY's Fresh Air; Bill Cosby faced serious legal troubles |
| 2009 reboot cast members | Jenni Barber, Coy Stewart, Josh Segarra, Priscilla "Star" Diaz |
| 2009 reboot characters | Lisa Heffenbacher, Marcus Barnes, Hector Ruiz, Jessica Ruiz |
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What You'll Learn
Morgan Freeman's career after The Electric Company
After his stint on The Electric Company, Morgan Freeman's career went from strength to strength. He became one of the most respected and celebrated actors of his generation, with a diverse range of roles that showcased his immense talent.
Freeman's post-Electric Company career began with a string of notable film and television appearances throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. He appeared in the soap opera Another World in 1980 and had a recurring role in the critically acclaimed series The Twilight Zone. He also began to land roles in major feature films, including the comedy-drama Teachers (1984), and the action-adventure film Marie (1985), where he played a Vietnam veteran.
However, it was his role in the 1987 film Street Smart that truly launched Freeman into the spotlight. His powerful performance as a ruthless pimp earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. From there, Freeman's career took off, and he became a sought-after actor in Hollywood.
The 1990s saw Freeman take on a diverse range of roles that showcased his versatility. He played Red in The Shawshank Redemption (1994), a film that has since become a classic, and earned him another Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actor. He also starred in the action-thriller Se7en (1995), playing a veteran detective, and in the sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix (1999) as the iconic Morpheus. These roles cemented Freeman's status as a Hollywood heavyweight.
In the 2000s, Freeman continued to choose unique and challenging roles. He portrayed God in the comedy Bruce Almighty (2003) and its sequel, Evan Almighty (2007). He also took on more dramatic parts, such as in Million Dollar Baby (2004), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Invictus (2009), where he played former South African President Nelson Mandela.
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Rita Moreno's reflections on the show
Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano, is an American actress, dancer, and singer with a career spanning eight decades. She is one of the few actors to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT) and the Triple Crown of Acting. She has fond memories of her time on The Electric Company, an educational children's television series that ran from 1971 to 1977.
Moreno played several characters on the show, including Millie the Helper, a trainee working at various jobs, who was known for the show's iconic catchphrase, "Hey, you guys!" This phrase was later incorporated into the opening credits and was so popular that Moreno recalls hearing children shouting it in schoolyards across the country. She also portrayed Otto the Director, a short-tempered film director, and Pandora the Brat, a bratty but lovable blonde girl.
Moreno has said that she and the other cast members, including Morgan Freeman, were surprised by the broad reach of the show. While it was intended to help elementary school students develop their reading and grammar skills, it also attracted adult viewers who were learning to read English. She reflects on the talented cast, saying, "We were a bunch of immensely talented people who put their careers aside, in a way, to help young children learn how to read."
The Electric Company was a significant part of Moreno's extensive career, which includes notable film roles in Singin' in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956), and West Side Story (1961), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Latin American woman to win an Academy Award. She has also had a successful stage career, winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in The Ritz in 1975.
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Bill Cosby's legal troubles
Bill Cosby, born William Henry Cosby Jr., grew to become a dominant figure in American entertainment in the latter half of the 20th century. Cosby's career spanned over five decades, during which he achieved significant milestones that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Cosby's early success began in the 1960s with I Spy, a television series that made him the first African American to co-star in a dramatic series. This was followed by a string of successes, including The Cosby Show, which premiered in 1984, solidifying his status as a household name. The sitcom, which portrayed a close-knit and prosperous African American family, broke racial stereotypes and topped the Nielsen ratings for an impressive five years.
However, despite his professional accomplishments, Cosby's personal life has been marred by serious legal troubles and controversy. In the mid-2010s, numerous sexual assault allegations were made against him, leading to a highly publicized trial. In 2018, he was convicted and sentenced to prison. Cosby's legacy is thus a complicated one, as his impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable, but his personal actions have also caused significant harm and led to a re-evaluation of his work.
Cosby's appearance on The Electric Company further solidified his early success. He appeared in the first two seasons of the show, playing Honest John, a lying car salesman, and the Musketeer who couldn't get his lines right. He is also well-known for his role in the famous ""Heey, youu guuuuuys!" skit with Rita Moreno.
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Lee Chamberlin's musical performances on the show
Lee Chamberlin, born Alverta La Pallo, was an American actress and singer. She was one of the original cast members of the 1970s children's show, "The Electric Company", which helped elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills through sketch comedy and other devices.
Chamberlin played the diner proprietor Vi and sang educational duets with Morgan Freeman, who was a little-known actor at the time. One of the songs she sang was "Apostrophe S", during which a white-sleeved arm briefly appears at the bottom right of the screen.
Chamberlin had a successful career in France as a singer before she began acting. She was signed to the label Chez Impact, and in 1966, several songs were released, including "Tu Vivras Toujours", "Reponds Moi!", "J'ai Eu Si Peur", "J'Aimerais Tant que Tu sois La", and "Haïlilolilolilolaï".
After leaving "The Electric Company" following the second season, she went on to act in Shakespeare plays and various television shows and films.
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Judy Graubart's many characters
Judy Graubart played several characters on the original 1970s children's show The Electric Company. Graubart played one half of the duo in the "Giggles, Goggles" sketch, in which two friends would misuse words and correct each other. She also played Julia Grown-Up in the "Here's Cooking at You" sketch, a send-up of Julia Child's cooking shows. Graubart played Jennifer in the "Jennifer of the Jungle" sketch, a parody of George of the Jungle, and she appeared as Winnie in the main cast. She also played a role in the "The Last Word" sketch, which was shown at the end of season one.
Graubart was a regular cast member of The Electric Company and is known for her work on the show. She also appeared in Arthur Hiller's 1967 kidnap comedy The Tiger Makes Out in an uncredited role as a pedestrian with an umbrella. She was a member of the Second City comedy troupe and appeared in the Chicago mainstage cast in the 1960s with other comic actors such as Fred Willard and Robert Klein.
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Frequently asked questions
Morgan Freeman has gone on to become a highly successful actor, winning an Oscar for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela. He has also been the narrator for several films.
Rita Moreno has been in show business for several decades. She reflected on her time on The Electric Company in an interview with Terry Gross of WHYY's Fresh Air.
Bill Cosby became a dominant figure in American entertainment, with his career spanning over five decades. However, in the mid-2010s, he faced multiple sexual assault allegations, leading to a conviction and prison sentence in 2018.
Judy Graubart, who played various characters on The Electric Company, including Jennifer of the Jungle and Julia Grown-Up, provided commentary and reflected on her time on the show for the DVD release in 2006.
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