I-95 Exclusive: Celebrating Homecoming in CT with John O’Hurley from Seinfeld
Actor John O'Hurley has been the host of "The National Dog Show" for years, was a featured performer on the first season of "Dancing with the Stars," and is the former host of "Family Feud."
Those are some seriously impressive credits, but there’s one role that stands above the rest: his portrayal of J. Peterman on Seinfeld. In addition to his acting, John O'Hurley is also an accomplished singer and will be performing at the Waterbury Palace Theater on October 26th in a show titled "A Man With Standards."
We had the opportunity to chat with O'Hurley ahead of this big event and discovered that this performance is more than just another gig—it’s a homecoming.
Lou: The Great American Songbook is what they call it. I've heard you talk about it in interviews and growing up with this amazing music, tell us about the show "A Man With Standards."
John: "Well, it is a tribute to the period in the '50s and '60s and to growing up during that time with the music of Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, and 'Moon River'—all that wonderful music we used to refer to as the big band era and the standards. The show is called A Man with Standards. I was lucky enough to grow up in Connecticut for most of my life, surrounded by men and women who had standards, which we called manners. So, yeah."
Lou: So, you're a Connecticut kid, huh?
John: "Yeah, I was lucky enough to have a wonderful upbringing in Connecticut, so I'm glad to be able to come back and share a bit of it in some of my old stomping grounds. Believe it or not, I actually worked in Waterbury at Waterbury Hospital. Right out of college, I was the Director of Public Relations for Waterbury Hospital. I was supposed to go into acting immediately after college, but I got scared to death of the business side of acting. I knew what I was doing; I just had no clue how to make a living at it. So, I took a five-year hiatus and became the Director of PR there, as well as the Director of Public Relations for the American Red Cross in Farmington, Connecticut."
Lou: Did you really sing Sinatra to Sinatra once?
John: "Yes I did that is an absolute true story and I tell it in the show. It is one of the funniest and as I describe it, probably the stupidest things I've ever done in my career."
Lou: Look, you've been amazing, we are so appreciative of all the time you have given us..
John: "Well I'll tell you, I am so looking forward to coming back and walking through my old stomping grounds there in Waterbury. I used to live down there for a long time, down in South Britain, down there by the South Britain General Store. Yeah I had a great time down there, the time that I spent there in public relations was time well spent. It helped me a great deal as an actor and in my career. There isn't a moment that I don't drive up 84 and look over the bridge up at the hospital and remember it fondly and it's nice to be able to come back now to the Palace and recreate some of the comedy."
Check out our complete five-part interview with John O'Hurley below.
Part 1 - In segment one, we intentionally avoided Seinfeld talk to dive into John's stage show and other amazing career achievements. We also learned a ton about his local ties in Connecticut.
Part 2 - We learned exactly how John got the role of J. Peterman. It also did not happen because he originally turned it down.
Part 3 - John said Julia Louis-Dreyfus is on par with Lucille Ball for physical comedy.
Part 4 - We learned that Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman was responsible for J. Peterman existing.
Part 5 - We talked about how it will always be Burma to John.
Check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast on Apple and Spotify
7 of the Best Waterfront Restaurants in Connecticut
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano
Luxury Meets Privacy: Discover Old Greenwich’s Exclusive Peninsula
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano
10 Absurd Facts About Driving in Connecticut You Need to Know in 2024
Gallery Credit: Lou Milano