How an unassuming receptionist became a regular on-air character on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Imitating sports personalities could be a sport in itself. Comedian Billy Crystal performs hilarious impressions of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell, and comic Frank Caliendo imitates Jon Gruden. U.S. Open champ Novak Djokovic has imitated John McEnroe and Rafael Nadal.
Then, there is the case of the soft-spoken Art Kelly. Art wasn’t looking to impersonate anyone or be on television, for that matter. Television, you see, found Art Kelly.
Jersey City, New Jersey native Art Kelly isn’t a name you’ll recognize. However, if you’re a fan of the Late Show with David Letterman, you may have seen him on TV. In the Coach’s Corner segment, he imitated NFL coach Mike Singletary and fielded questions from Mr. Letterman himself, with whom he often appeared on screen.
Art’s journey to the small screen started in 2000 when he was working as a long-term, temporary receptionist at a well-known financial firm. When Art concluded that the position wasn’t going to turn permanent, he sent out feelers, and an employment agency notified him that Worldwide Pants was interested in interviewing him for a receptionist position. Art, taking the name literally, wasn’t enthused. “I was thinking I’m really not interested in working in the garment industry,” he recalled.
After getting a few more details about the position, Art took the interview, said the right things, and landed the job. Ultimately, Art enjoyed being the show’s receptionist because he could gauge the public’s reaction to the show.
Then things changed. About eight years into the job, a staffer – Art isn’t sure exactly who – noticed that Art resembled Singletary, the wild-eyed, eccentric coach, who was known to moon his players at half-time. Mr. Letterman concurred. Subsequently, comedic juices flowed, and the bit, Coach’s Corner, was born. The problem? Art had never heard of Singletary.
Art, who had no prior acting experience besides a part in a kindergarten play and a cameo as a beer-swilling/mail-burning mail carrier on the Late Show, was given video of Singletary to study. He rehearsed, albeit briefly, with a Late Show writer.
When it was showtime, the Late Show made it appear as if Art was on location. “I was extremely nervous because I had never acted before, so it was my first rodeo,” called Art.
Courtesy LateNighter
Art was not pleased with his debut, to say the least. “I thought this might not fly,” he remembered. His concerns were unwarranted, and he was pleasantly surprised when the Late Show asked him to reprise the role. Gradually, Art found his groove, and the Late Show improved the segment’s production value, including a fun music introduction.
As for his performance, Mr. Letterman was always supportive of Art, particularly after a specific appearance. “You saved the show,” Letterman said.
Art did Coach’s Corner about ten times. Of course, he was saddened when the Late Show took its final bow in 2015, but Art didn’t give up on show business. Art sent out feelers about potential acting work. “My success I’ve had in show business I’ll always attribute it to Mr. Letterman,” said Art. “He put me on this journey.”
Sadly, and unexpectedly, the journey ended. Art passed away last July at age 67.
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Jon Hart is the author of Unfortunately, I was available illustrated by Coverkitchen
