I was once asked to do my Tarzan yell at Bergdorf Goodman, and a guard burst in with a gun! Now I only do it under controlled circumstances.

I'm glad I was born when I was. My time was the golden age of variety. If I were starting out again now, maybe things would happen for me, but it certainly would not be on a variety show with 28 musicians, 12 dancers, two major guest stars, 50 costumes a week by Bob Mackie - the networks just wouldn't spend the money today.

Originally, I came from Texas, and we lived on - I guess you'd call it welfare, what we called relief.

there were times when I was more at home in front of millions of people than I was at home.

I don't remember a time when I wasn't waiting for a scab either to grow or to fall off my knee.

Well, I don't know how astute I am, but I did want to be a journalist when I was growing up.

I never regretted turning down anything, I never regretted losing a job because I always felt something else was out there.