Dorothy, Blanche, Sophia and Rose have provided countless laughs sine The Golden Girls premiered in 1985, but it turns out they also helped launch the career of one of Hollywood’s most successful auteurs.
Quentin Tarantino shared the unlikely story during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, explaining that the residuals he earned for an Elvis impersonator gig on the hit sitcom paved the way for his first film, Reservoir Dogs.
Related: The Golden Girls, Their Timelessness And Their Very Gay Legacy
“One of the jobs I did get, and not because I did a wonderful audition, but simply because they sent my picture in and they said, ‘He’s got it,’ was for an Elvis impersonator on ‘The Golden Girls.’ ” he told Fallon.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“It became a two-part ‘Golden Girls.’ So I got paid residuals for both parts,” he added. “It was so popular they put it on a ‘Best of The Golden Girls,’ and I got residuals every time that showed. So I got paid maybe, I don’t know, $650 for the episode, but by the time the residuals were over, three years later, I made like $3,000. And that kept me going during our pre-production time trying to get ‘Reservoir Dogs’ going.”
Here’s his big, breakout performance:
he>me
I never saw this as gay.
jayceecook
“gay favorite” as in a favorite or popular show of the gay community not “gay favorite” as in a gay themed favorite or popular show.
he>me
Well, my parents were not gay and they loved it. I am gay and thought it was just a bunch of silly old hags.
jayceecook
And? Sorry to burst your bubble sweetie but you are not the totality of the gay community nor are you its spokesman (as if it could even have one) so the fact that you didn’t like it doesn’t mean diddly-squat.
CMarks
“The Golden Girls” was among the first mainstream TV show to present gay characters (or situations) in a positive light. Blanche had a gay brother (Clayton), Blanche and Dorothy were misrepresented as a lesbian couple on a TV talk show and there were other instances where gays were referred to positively. It became a “gay favorite” because of the intelligent and witty repartee between these strong single women. Watching the reruns today will confirm the strength of the writing and situations as the series holds up far better then most 35 year old reruns.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Golden Girls is without a doubt one of the one of the most best written, clever, poignant, and funny shows ever.
The chemistry between those four woman was impeccable. It was one of the first prime time shows to portray Gays in a positive light in multiple episodes.
It’s timeless as enjoyable today as when the episodes first aired.
he>me
You are so smart.
CMarks
Absolutely. The only thing dated about the series is that the women aren’t all carrying cellphones. Timeless!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Golden Girls is without a doubt one of the one of the most best written, clever, poignant, and funny shows ever.
The chemistry between those four woman was impeccable. It was one of the first prime time shows to portray Gays in a positive light in multiple episodes.
It’s timeless as enjoyable today as when the episodes first aired. Check out the episode “Isn’t it Romantic” where Dorothy’s Lesbian friend comes after her lover Pat dies and begins to fall for sweet niave Rose. “Danny Thomas is a Lesbian”? 🙂 🙂
Chrisk
Yeah, how many comedies stood the test of time and even brought in new generations of fans like this one did? I can’t think of anything from the eighties.
roblebald77
“That’s Lebanese.” Yes. It was. The Golden Girls got me through some difficult times. I still laugh out loud at some of the lines. I was just reciting Blanche’s remembering a similar experience that she had with Barbara Thorndyke, “The same thing happened to me in the produce section at the A&P!” LMAO!!!
gavo92
My only show, and Xena Warrior Princess.
Patrick
The Golden Girls was such a gay favorite that at a gay resort in the Russian River in 1988, everyone crowded into the TV lounge when the show came on, leaving the bar, restaurant, patio, etc. completely empty on Saturday night until the show was over.