Interview with Ricky Powellby Melissa SmithRicky Powell began working for NBC part time in Program Preparation in 1990 and has been here full time since 1992, where he has been timing, branding and prepping the Network Primetime and Daytime lineups. Before working at NBC, Ricky had another past in front of the camera. After much arm-twisting, cajoling and begging, I finally got Ricky Powell, AD from Burbank’s Edit 10, to spill about his acting career. Below are Ricky’s reminiscences, in his own words, and it only cost me an expensive lunch. Enjoy! Melissa Smith: What year did you start acting and why? Ricky Powell: According to my mom, in 1966, at the age of 4, I pointed to the TV one day and told her that I wanted to be on it. She had no idea of how to go about getting that done, until coincidentally, in the first grade, I became friends with Marc Copage who was playing Diahann Carroll's son on “Julia” at the time. My mom spoke to his dad, I ended up getting an agent, and my very first job was to play Tabitha's friend on Bewitched. It was the episode where Imogene Coca played the Tooth Fairy. Two years later, I got to do another episode playing a different character. I was the son of one of Darrin's clients who was babysat by Esmeralda. It was really a blast doing that show. Not only did I get to see how they did all the cool tricks, I got to stare at Elizabeth Montgomery all day. I had quite the childhood crush on her! That episode was just screened at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills and I got to take my kids. Very surreal!
From there, I continued getting parts on many of the old TV series... “The Rockford Files”, “Owen Marshall, Attorney At Law”, “Temperature's Rising”, “The Mod Squad”, “The Rookies”, “My Three Sons”, “Little House on the Prairie”, and two of my best parts, a recurring role on “The Smith Family” with Henry Fonda and Ron Howard... and playing Edward G. Robinson's grandson on “Night Gallery”. I was also fortunate when it came to commercials. I did the first Eggo Waffle commercial with Gordon Jump playing my dad. When I looked at the script and it read, "Leggo my Eggo"... I asked, "What's an Eggo?" Who knew? That was followed by McDonalds, Trident, Crest, Papermate, KFC, and Kool Aid, to name a few. My career wound down with my two final jobs... A movie called, “Losin' It”, Tom Cruise's only flop, which didn't really count because no one knew him yet, followed with a single line in “Airplane II”. (I got lucky, Howard Koch saw my picture in the Academy Players Directory... called me in and hired me on the spot). MS: What was your most enjoyable acting experience? RP: I'd have to say it was a TV pilot I did with Topol, Kathleen Widdoes and Sam Jaffe at 20th Century Fox called “Only In America”. It took place in 1912, and I played the American-born son of an immigrant family. The pilot focused on my forging my parents' signature and skipping school to go to a burlesque show with my friends. It was great! Maybe NBC could pick it up and I could play the dad now!
MS: Can you tell me a little bit about each picture that I have? RP: There is the snapshot from “My Three Sons”. I got that part because Don Federson felt bad about something strange that had happened on another show. Long story! The picture of Bob Hope and Brooke Shields was from one of the later specials I appeared in. My great-aunt was Mr. Hope's talent coordinator for 30 years, so I got to be on the show a few times. One of the early ones was a lot of fun. I was in a sketch with Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Milton Berle, Juliet Prowse, and the list went on and on. The cast party picture was from the Topol pilot. “The Smith Family” speaks for itself, as there's no mistaking Hank!
MS: Finish this sentence, "If I couldn't act or work in television, I would..." RP: Shoot myself! Just kidding... Probably work in Real Estate. MS: Is there any part that you want to play that you haven't? RP: Yes, pretty much anything! Again, I jest... I'd love to play the perfect husband and father. It's a role I try to play everyday anyway, why not be seen by millions and make money doing it? MS: Do you ever act in Community Theater, commercials, etc., or do you still want to? RP: I don't, and to be honest, I never loved the stage. I like things nice and safe in front of the camera, although, I did enjoy live improv. In high school, I was in a group of four that won First Place in the 1980 Drama Festival for group improv. We beat out many other high schools. That was a great feeling. I would love to get back to acting one day, but later, in retirement. Maybe in five years? Ok, wishful thinking! Actually, one of my inspirations works down the hall from me. John Ingle was my high school Drama and Musical Comedy teacher. He taught for over 30 years and then retired. He then began doing commercials and landed the role of Edward Quartermaine on “General Hospital”. After leaving that show, our own “Days of Our Lives” hired him to be the new Mickey Horton. It really is great seeing his success. Who knows, maybe one day, “Passions” will give me a call! MS: "The worst part about being an actor is...” RP: Definitely the rejection! After working so much as a kid, it wasn't a real ego boost to keep getting turned down. That's when I decided to get a real job and get into post! After attending CSUN, I got a job at Witt/Thomas/Harris on “The Golden Girls” and “Empty Nest”. In 1988, I became their post production manager and started coming to NBC to view the shows each week. That's how I met the good folks here. The rest is history! MS: If you could write the perfect part for yourself, what would you portray? RP: That's a tough one. I think I'm going to fall back on #5 [perfect father and husband] for the time being. MS: The most fun thing that I do at NBC is... RP: I get to help people on the Network side and the Production side. I really enjoy making things as easy as possible for everyone whenever I can. I always strive to never say 'No'. If something is possible, I will figure out a way to make it work. I also love the challenge of keeping everyone happy. It's not easy to get all of our very important branding done without stepping on the creative toes of the producers. All in all, I have a nearly flawless record! MS: A little info about your personal life, hobbies, anything else that you want to share? RP: Wife, kids, picket fence... well, not really picket. It's more wrought iron and it's in the back. Does that count? Overall, I am very happy and I love being at NBC. When I tell people where I work, eyes usually light up, no matter where we are in the ratings. That's a nice feeling!
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