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Hollywood Obsessed

Hollywood Obsessed

By: Tony Miros
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Hosted by Hollywood casting director, journalist, and former studio tour guide, Tony Miros, HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED is an illuminating podcast featuring insightful interviews with entertainment professionals and insiders who share their personal stories about Hollywood and its colorful history. In each episode, listeners will take a captivating journey, discovering fun movie & TV facts and trivia that will enlighten and delight. If you’re as obsessed with Hollywood as Tony is (or would like to be), join him and his latest guest every other Monday for an exciting, new episode of HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED.Tony Miros Art
Episodes
  • Episode 148 – Consider Your Ass Kissed!: Chatting With the Glamorous Ruta Lee – Part 2

    Episode 148 – Consider Your Ass Kissed!: Chatting With the Glamorous Ruta Lee – Part 2
    Dec 1 2025
    In the sparkling conclusion of their two-part conversation, host Tony Miros and 90-year-old Hollywood legend Ruta Lee dive deeper into her remarkable career and her most unforgettable television moments. Ruta revisits her iconic “Twilight Zone” episode “A Short Drink From a Certain Fountain,” sharing memories of co-star Patrick O’Neal, her joy in playing such a wicked character, and her warm admiration for Rod Serling. She also reflects on her time on “The Lucy Show”—how she and Lucille Ball became friends, the precision required for four-camera comedy, and her admiration for Lucy’s ability to run a studio by day and conquer Broadway by night.Tony highlights fun revelations from her memoir, including her audition for the role of Ginger on “Gilligan’s Island”. Ruta fondly recalls guest-starring on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” where Andy would serenade the cast between takes with his guitar. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from “The Hollywood Squares,” filming five episodes a day with host Peter Marshall, and the risqué ad-lib that left the studio blushing. Ruta continues with hilarious memories from “Three’s Company,” her fondness for John Ritter, and her time on “Mork & Mindy,” where Robin Williams dazzled her with his lightning-fast genius. She also discusses her appearance on “Roseanne” and her absolute joy serving as a guest judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” where she fell in love with the contestants and affectionately calls RuPaul “delicious.”In the final portion of their chat, Ruta opens up about her lifelong devotion to The Thalians, the charitable organization she has championed for fifty years. She explains how the group built a mental-health clinic, expanded veteran support through UCLA, and honored luminaries such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Whoopi Goldberg, and—after two decades of asking—Clint Eastwood. For listeners eager to get involved, Ruta encourages donations or attendance at this year’s Thalians Gala on December 6th at the Bel-Air Country Club, honoring the legendary Neil Sedaka. Check the Notes below for ticket information.RUTA LEERuta Lee rose from the stages of Hollywood High School to become one of the most recognizable actresses and dancers of her era. After moving to Los Angeles in 1948, she studied acting and soon landed roles on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The Roy Rogers Show, and The Adventures of Superman.Her big break came in 1953 when she was cast as one of the brides in the beloved MGM musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. From there, she built an impressive film résumé that included Anything Goes, Funny Face, Witness for the Prosecution, Marjorie Morningstar, and Sergeants 3, where she starred alongside the Rat Pack. She also made her mark on television with memorable appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, 77 Sunset Strip, and 2 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.Ruta continued to shine, including her standout Twilight Zone appearance in “A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain,” and her semi-regular turns on game shows like Hollywood Squares, and High Rollers, where she co-hosted with Alex Trebek. Her later decades showcased her versatility—from voice work, to guest roles on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, CHiPs, and Roseanne, where she played the girlfriend of Estelle Parsons’ character. She also starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor in Sweet Bird of Youth and appeared in the British comedy-drama Funny Bones as Jerry Lewis’s on-screen wife.Ruta Lee Website - https://www.rutalee.com The Thalians Holiday Gala - http://www.thalians.org The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠ Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
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    31 mins
  • Episode 147 - Consider Your Ass Kissed!: Chatting With The Glamorous Ruta Lee - Part 1

    Episode 147 - Consider Your Ass Kissed!: Chatting With The Glamorous Ruta Lee - Part 1
    Dec 1 2025
    In Part 1 of this energetic two-episode conversation, host Tony Miros sits down with the dazzling Ruta Lee—actress, dancer, Hollywood legend, and author of the delightfully titled memoir “Consider Your Ass Kissed!” Ruta dives into her decades-long career, from her breakout in the MGM classic “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” to her days co-hosting “High Rollers” with her dear friend Alex Trebek. She shares favorite behind-the-scenes stories from her memoir, reflecting on Trebek’s wicked humor, pitch-perfect accents, and why game shows let her be her most authentic self.Ruta also sweeps listeners into her glamorous Hollywood upbringing—from Hollywood High School and Laurel Canyon to her early job as an usherette at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where she once admired stars like Betty Grable and Mitzi Gaynor long before befriending them. She tells Tony the hilarious tale of getting fired from Grauman’s & the full-circle magic of later receiving her Hollywood Walk of Fame star right in front of the box office. From her first acting gig on “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” to her near-mishap on “The Adventures of Superman”, Ruta explains how professionalism, preparation, & passion kept her working nonstop.Her journey through “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” is packed with joyful recollections—dancing for choreographer Michael Kidd, working with Stanley Donen, touring the country to promote the film, and even having her name changed to “Ruta Lee”… except in the credits, where her original Lithuanian name remained, a “mistake” that later helped her rescue her grandmother from Russia. And in true Ruta fashion, she caps it all with sparkling memories of Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, Leslie Caron, Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack—including her unforgettable experience filming “Sergeants 3,” attending Frank’s birthday bash for Dean Martin, meeting Marilyn Monroe, & revealing the one legendary star she wishes she had worked with.RUTA LEERuta Lee rose from the stages of Hollywood High School to become one of the most recognizable actresses and dancers of her era. After moving to L.A. in 1948, she studied acting at Los Angeles City College and UCLA while working at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre as a cashier, usherette, and candy girl—until a missing $40 abruptly ended her job. But Hollywood had bigger plans: she soon landed roles on The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show, The Roy Rogers Show, & The Adventures of Superman.Her big break came when she was cast as one of the brides in the beloved MGM musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. From there, she built an impressive film résumé that included Anything Goes, Funny Face, Witness for the Prosecution, Marjorie Morningstar, and Sergeants 3, where she starred alongside the Rat Pack. She also made her mark on TV with memorable appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke,,The Wild Wild West, & 2 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.Ruta continued to shine through her standout Twilight Zone appearance in “A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain,” and her semi-regular turns on game shows like Hollywood Squares, What’s My Line?, and High Rollers, where she co-hosted with Alex Trebek. Her later decades showcased her versatility—from voice work on The Flintstone Comedy Show to guest roles on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Roseanne. She also starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor in Sweet Bird of Youth and appeared in the British comedy-drama Funny Bones as Jerry Lewis’s on-screen wife.Ruta Lee Website - https://www.rutalee.com The Thalians Holiday Gala - http://www.thalians.org The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠ Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
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    41 mins
  • Episode 146 – Chatting With Actress Anne-Marie Johnson About Hollywood, Fame & Her New Film “The Addiction of Hope” - Part 2

    Episode 146 – Chatting With Actress Anne-Marie Johnson About Hollywood, Fame & Her New Film “The Addiction of Hope” - Part 2
    Nov 15 2025
    In this powerful conclusion to their two-part conversation, host Tony Miros and actress Anne-Marie Johnson dive into the dramatic, complicated, and career-defining years she spent on “In the Heat of the Night.” She recounts her intense audition process, her memorable first meeting with Carroll O’Connor, and her surprise when she discovered who would play her TV husband Virgil Tibbs. She shares both funny & deeply personal stories about her co-star Howard Rollins—his humor, his struggles, and the challenges he faced as a gay Black man working in the Deep South during the 1980s. Determined to understand her character’s world, she even attended a Ku Klux Klan rally & immersed herself in local culture, an experience she describes with honesty & insight.She reflects on the fame that followed and the show's fearless storytelling, including the powerful two-episode arc in which her character is assaulted. She reveals why Carroll O’Connor was initially opposed to the storyline, how the cast convinced him it needed to be told, and why she considers it her strongest work on the series. Her memories of working with Howard are touching and bittersweet, especially as she recalls his demons, their joyful on-set chemistry, and the heartbreak of losing him years later.The conversation then shifts to her time on “Melrose Place,” where she stepped into the world of glossy, high-stakes soap drama. She shares behind-the-scenes insights about Aaron Spelling’s famously strict set, her fiery exit storyline, and the reason why her character was written off the show. She also talks about her groundbreaking work as the first African American Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild.Finally, she opens up about what she considers the greatest work of her career—her new film “The Addiction of Hope,” written and directed by her husband. ANNE MARIE JOHNSONLos Angeles–born actress Anne-Marie Johnson began honing her craft early, graduating from John Marshall High School and later earning her B.A. in Acting and Theatre from UCLA. She made her first on-camera appearances as a contestant on several game shows, including “Card Sharks” and “Child’s Play,” before landing her first major role on NBC’s “Double Trouble.” Guest spots on “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Hill Street Blues,” and a 3-season run on “What’s Happening Now!!” followed, along with standout comedic turns in the cult classics “Hollywood Shuffle” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.”Johnson became widely known for her role as Althea Tibbs on the drama “In the Heat of the Night” (1988–1993), during which she also appeared in films such as “Robot Jox,” “The Five Heartbeats," and “Strictly Business.” After leaving the series, she joined the final season of “In Living Color." Her career continued with memorable roles on “Melrose Place” and “JAG,” along with guest appearances on a wide range of popular series including “Ally McBeal,” “Girlfriends,” “CSI,” “NCIS,” “Living Single,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”Beyond her acting accomplishments, Johnson served as First National Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2005 to 2010 and continued building an impressive list of credits with roles in NBC’s “The InBetween,” OWN’s “Cherish the Day,” and ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder.” She now stars in the powerful new film “The Addiction of Hope,” directed by her husband Martin A. Gottlieb.Tickets For “The Addition of Hope” - https://www.laemmle.com/film/addiction-hopeFilm Website - https://www.theaddictionofhopefilm.com Film Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theaddictionofhope/ The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠ Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
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    44 mins
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