Conan O’Brien Remembers ‘Late Night’ Stalwart Abe Vigoda
While Abe Vigoda was known largely for his roles in The Godfather and Barney Miller, a whole generation was familiar with the late character actor thanks to his frequent, always hilarious cameo appearances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien. On Tuesday night’s Conan, the host remembered the actor who was always a highlight of Late Night.
“Abe was a huge part of our show in New York. I couldn’t believe how many times Abe would come on the show and do hilarious things for us,” O’Brien said. “We used to call him up, and sometimes we’d have the idea like three hours beforehand. It’d be the silliest thing [and] Abe would always come right over [and] do it. Such a lovely guy … Very generous guy, and so we thought we must take a moment here and show just a few highlights from his many appearances from Late Night With Conan O’Brien.”
The montage (via Wall Street Journal) included memorable sketches including Vigoda and Robert Duvall reprising their famed “for old times’ sake” scene from The Godfather and the “Vigodal Eclipse.” The memoriam wrapped with one of the actor’s final O’Brien appearances: When the host let Vigoda back out into the wild because he couldn’t bring the actor along to Los Angeles for The Tonight Show move.
“Thanks Abe, for all the laughter,” O’Brien said.