victorbuono

[victorbuono]

Victor J. Banis is an author of numerous books of gay fiction, dating back to the 1960s. In 2004 he released a memoir - Spine Intact, Some Creases: Remembrances of a Paperback Writer - that mentions Buono just once. Talking of what celebrities he encountered at what gay bars, he says:

Victor Buono liked the bar at the Gallery Inn, on Santa Monica Boulevard, and was about as pleasant a drinking companion as you could ask for, smart, funny, and unpretentious. We passed many a rainy afternoon sipping the grape and discussing old movies and stars. Victor’s talent was huge, but so was his size, and that was a handicap to stardom, though he did a lot of theater work in Los Angeles, including a sparkling Falstaff at the Ahmanson.

#victor buono #sexuality

[victorbuono]

I listened to the audio commentary for The Evil (1978) a while ago and my memory of it was that there was very little mention of Buono. The only interesting Buono tidbit that I wrote down was this:

Gus Trikonis (Director of The Evil): My wife did the wardrobe on this film. They had to make that suit for him (Buono) and it cost a thousand dollars back then. And the producer just freaked out - couldn’t believe that they would spend that kind of money to make a suit for this huge man.

Commentary Moderator: Was the suit expensive because it was a special size?

Trikonis: Yeah, it was a special size.

#victor buono #the evil

[victorbuono]

Here are two chapters from Confessions of a Banjo Picker by Kenneth Clarke, published in 2011. I believe these are the only two sections of the book concerning Buono. It’s a rather sad tale of Buono coming out of the closet to a friend. And it’s the most detailed account I’ve been able to find of Buono’s life as a gay man.

I struggled to find any mention of Clarke outside of this book but I didn’t put much energy into it.

#victor buono #sexuality

[victorbuono]

That’s me! You’re making me feel like a real somebody here.

I’ll be back here eventually, one day, maybe... I finished posting all the film/TV stills and my plan after that was to post all the newspaper stories and book excerpts I found.

As to who I am, I’m just a regular person who was curious about Buono. I noticed him in something not too long ago and found him captivating. And then I read that he was gay, with the quote referencing Clift/Mineo, but saw that there was some debate about this. From there I wanted to know more. I struggled to imagine what kind of life he lead as a gay man, that was my driving interest. At some point I satisfied that curiosity and that’s about when I stopped updating here. I will be back eventually though, as I said. Because of your reminder, let’s say that in a week I’ll start updating again.

Who is @victorbuono?? 

AND WHERE DID THEY GO?!!!!

#victor buono

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono and Victoria Vetri in Batman. This is season 3, episode 23 - ‘I’ll Be a Mummy’s Uncle.’ Is that real irritation on Vetri’s face?

Interestingly, in 2011 Vetri was sentenced to nine years in prison after shooting her husband. The shooting was not fatal.

#victor buono #victoria vetri #batman #tv #king tut

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This is from October 26, 1971.

Buono sits on the couch during the next guest’s appearance and his hand can be seen tapping a cigar in an ashtray every now and then.

#victor buono #the tonight show #johnny carson #1971 #talk show

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This is from January 1, 1975.

#victor buono #johnny carson #the tonight show #1975 #talk show

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in 77 Sunset Strip. This is episode 28 from season 3 - 'The Legend of Leckonby.' According to IMDb, this first aired on March 24, 1961.

#victor buono #77 sunset strip #tv #television #1961

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in 77 Sunset Strip. This is episode 2 from season 3 - 'The Fanatics.' According to IMDb, this first aired on September 23, 1960.

#victor buono #77 sunset strip #tv #television #1960

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in Taxi. This is episode 5 from season 3 - 'Going Home.' According to IMDb, this originally aired on December 17, 1980.

#victor buono #taxi #tv #television #1980

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in Fantasy Island. This is episode 6 from season 4 - 'With Affection, Jack the Ripper/Gigolo.' According to IMDb, this originally aired on November 29, 1980.

#victor buono #fantasy island #tv #television #1980

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in Matt and Jenny. This is episode 23 from season 1 - ‘Mystery of the Pikes.’ According to IMDb, this first aired on March 28, 1980.

#victor buono #matt and jenny #tv #television #1980

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in Man from Atlantis. This is ‘Crystal Water, Sudden Death’ - episode 11 from season 1. IMDb says this originally aired on November 22, 1977.

#victor buono #man from atlantis #tv #television #1977

[victorbuono]

Victor in Man from Atlantis. This is ‘Man O'War ’ - episode 9 from season 1. IMDb says this originally aired on November 1, 1977.

#victor buono #tv #television #man from atlantis #1977

[victorbuono]

Victor in Man from Atlantis. This is ‘The Hawk of Mu’ - episode 7 from season 1. IMDb says this originally aired on October 18, 1977.

#victor buono #man from atlantis #television #tv #1977

[victorbuono]

Victor in Man from Atlantis. This is ‘The Mudworm’ - episode 6 from season 1. IMDb says this originally aired on October 13, 1977.

#victor buono #man from atlantis #tv #television #1977

[victorbuono]

Victor Buono in Man from Atlantis. This is ‘Meltdown’ - the first episode of the TV series. According to IMDb, this first aired on September 22, 1977.

#victor buono #man from atlantis #tv #television #1977