Charles Nelson Reilly Dies at Age 76

Tony Award-winning actor Charles Nelson Reilly is dead at age 76, according to CNN.

Patrick Hughes, who was Reilly's partner, told the New York Times that Mr. Reilly died Sunday in Los Angeles after a bout with pneumonia.

Reilly was probably best known for his appearances on game shows such as "Hollywood Squares" and "Match Game" during the 70's and 80's, as well as his over 95 guest appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

He was born in 1931 in The Bronx, but was raised in New Haven, Conn. In 1944 he was at the Ringling Brothers Circus when the tent fire that killed 168 people broke out. He managed to escape unharmed.

His career began in New York City where he took acting classes. He appeared on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," in 1962 as Bud Frump. This was the role that won him a Tony award. He was nominated for a Tony twice more. Once for his turn as Cornelius in "Hello Dolly" and again for directing a revival of "The Gin Game."

At a time when homosexuality was not publicly admitted, Reilly's ascots, giant glasses and colorful suits pegged him as a gay persona. This had an adverse effect on his career as he recalled a TV executive telling him, "They don't let queers on television."

He was once quoted as saying "When I die, it's going to read, "Game Show Fixture Passes Away". Nothing about the theater, or Tony Awards, or Emmys. But it doesn't bother me."

CNN reports that no plans for a memorial service have been announced yet.