Episode 172 – From Airplane! To Sharknado – Getting To Know Legendary TV & Film Star Robert Hays – Part 2

In Part Two of this unforgettable conversation, Robert Hays takes listeners deep inside the making of the comedy masterpiece “Airplane!” and its sequel “Airplane II: The Sequel.” Robert discusses the acclaimed book “Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!” and shares fascinating stories about landing the role of Ted Striker. He explains why the filmmakers intentionally cast dramatic actors instead of comedians, leading to unforgettable performances from legends like Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, and Peter Graves.

Robert also reveals incredible behind-the-scenes details about some of the film’s most iconic moments, including the famous jive-talk scenes with Barbara Billingsley, the elaborate dance parody inspired by “Saturday Night Fever,” and the chaos of filming the legendary cockpit sequences while trying not to break character laughing. He shares hilarious memories of working with Leslie Nielsen and his infamous fart machine, meeting Ethel Merman on set, and the exhausting practical effects used during the film’s outrageous spoof of “From Here to Eternity.”

The episode also explores the overnight success of “Airplane!” and how Robert’s life changed almost instantly after the film became a massive hit. He recalls seeing the movie with a packed audience at the legendary Westwood Village Theatre, realizing audiences were embracing the film in a way no one expected, and even being recognized by Shirley MacLaine shortly after its release. Robert opens up about navigating sudden movie stardom, the cancellation of “Angie,” and choosing projects simply because they sounded fun — including “Take This Job and Shove It”.

Finally, Robert reflects on later chapters of his career, including making “Airplane II: The Sequel,” working with William Shatner, and starring in the beloved sci-fi series “Starman”. He also shares stories from filming “Sharknado 2: The Second One,” revisiting the original “Airplane” cockpit set decades later, and why he remains deeply grateful that audiences still cherish “Airplane” all these years later.

ROBERT HAYS

Actor Robert Hays began his career in theatre, performing in plays like Richard III and The Glass Menagerie at the famous Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. After spending several years in the theatre, he moved to Hollywood to pursue his career in film and television. He first appeared on television in series such as Marcus Welby, M.D., Wonder Woman, Laverne & Shirley and Angie. He made his feature-film debut in the landmark comedy AIRPLANE! (1980), starring as Ted Striker, the traumatized former pilot who must land the plane when the flight crew gets struck by food poisoning. He later reprised his role as Ted Striker in Airplane II: The Sequel (1982).

After the massive success of AIRPLANE!, Hays went on to star in many feature films including Take This Job and Shove It (1981), Trenchcoat (1983), Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye (1985), Fifty/Fifty (1992), Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco (1996), Robert Altman’s Dr. T and the Women (2000) and Alex in Wonder (2001), which he also produced. He starred in over 20 made-for-TV movies like NBC’s Mister Roberts (1984), CBS’ Murder by the Book (1987) and Lifetime’s The Abduction (1996). He also had a surprise appearance in Sharknado II. Hays also had numerous guest appearances on various television shows including Touched by an Angel, Promised Land and That ‘70s Show, and he starred in the series Starman, FM, Cutters and Kelly Kelly.

Robert Hays Website – https://www.roberthays.me

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