Song:The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
Album:Man of La Mancha: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album
Richard Kiley had a long acting career. But he is probably best known for his Tony Award winning performance as Don Quixote in the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha. He was born Mar. 31, 1922 in Chicago. After serving in the US Navy in WWII, Kiley worked as an actor in Chicago before moving to New York City in the early 50s. Kiley appeared in the 1953 Broadway musical Kismet and the 1959 musical Redhead for which he won his first Tony award. he also appeared in films like Pickup on South Street, The Phenix City Story and Blackboard Jungle and on live TV shows like Patterns which won an Emmy for writer Rod Serling in 1955. He returned to Broadway in the 60s in shows like No Strings and I Had A Ball. The Man of La Mancha was first a TV non musical called I, Don Quixote. it aired in 1959. It was suggested to writer Dale Wasserman that he should turn it into a musical and Mitch Leigh wrote the songs. They wanted Rex Harrison to star as Don Quixote because of the success of My Fair Lady. But he couldn't really sing and they needed a singer. Kiley was a great choice and he won a Tony award. Kiley appeared in other Broadway musicals including two revivals of Man of La Mancha. But he also won Emmys for the 1983 mini series Thorn Birds, the 1986 series A Year In The Life and for a guest appearance on Picket Fences. A lot of fans will recognize his voice as the tour voice in the 1993 film Jurassic Park. Kiley continued to appear mostly on TV until his death on Mar. 6, 1999 at age 76. The lights on Broadway theaters were turned off in his honour. Here's Richard Kiley performing The Impossible Dream on the 1971 Tony Awards broadcast.
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