.jpeg "Ted Lange Recalls Being Warned Not to Talk to Gene Kelly on The Love Boat — and Why He Ignored It")
Lange, who played bartender Isaac Washington on the hit ABC series from 1977 to 1986, recently recalled the experience during an appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast with host Steve Kmetko.
Producers Warned Him: “Don’t Talk to Gene”
According to Lange, producers gave the cast a clear instruction when Kelly guest-starred in a 1984 episode.
“Don’t talk to Gene. He’s a grumpy guy, so just leave him alone,” Lange remembered being told. “When you do your scenes, fine, but don’t talk to Gene.”
Kelly appeared on the cruise ship-set romantic comedy as a retired spy. Despite the warning, Lange said he couldn’t resist approaching the legendary dancer and actor.
A Bold Move Pays Off
During a break between scenes, Lange noticed Kelly sitting alone and reading a magazine.
“I said, ‘Screw this, I’m gonna go talk to Gene Kelly,’” Lange shared.
He sat across from Kelly and introduced himself. At first, Kelly briefly looked up before returning to his reading. But Lange persisted and asked a thoughtful question that quickly changed the mood.
He asked Kelly what it was like dancing with the Nicholas Brothers — the famous Black tap-dancing duo Fayard and Harold Nicholas, who rose to fame during the Harlem Renaissance and performed at the Cotton Club.
Kelly had featured the Nicholas Brothers in his films, and the question immediately caught his attention.
“You want to know about the Nicholas Brothers?” Kelly reportedly responded, lowering his glasses.
From there, Kelly shared a “wonderful story” about the talented performers, whom Lange described as “incredible dancers.”
From ‘Grumpy’ to Gracious
After filming their scene together, Kelly surprised Lange by extending an invitation.
“Hey, you want to have a drink with me at the hotel?” Kelly asked.
Lange happily accepted. He said the evening was a completely different experience from what he had been warned about.
“After we finished our day’s work, I hooked up with him, sat down in the hotel, and he was wonderful — it was totally different,” Lange said.
In fact, he now considers Kelly one of his favorite guest stars from the long-running series.
A Show Known for Big-Name Guest Stars
The Love Boat became famous for its rotating lineup of celebrity guest appearances throughout its nine-season run. The show featured established Hollywood legends such as Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Havilland, and Joan Fontaine, alongside rising stars who would later become major names, including Tom Hanks, Kathy Bates, Jamie Lee Curtis, Heather Locklear, and Billy Crystal.
For Lange, though, his encounter with Kelly stands out — not just because of Kelly’s legendary status, but because it proved that sometimes first impressions, and on-set rumors, don’t tell the full story.
The lesson? Sometimes it pays to take a chance — especially when it means hearing stories from one of Hollywood’s greatest performers.
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