Agraffiti_EDGREENBERG

AN INTERVIEW
WITH
ED GREENBERG

One of the best scenes in American Graffiti is the brief interaction between the characters Curt Henderson and Kip Pullman. Curt is being driven around by Bobbie and when she spots Kip she asks to be introduced. Curt yells out, "Just wanted to let you know that Bobbie here is hopelessly in love with you and trembles at the sight of your rippling biceps." Kip does a take that is priceless.

Kip Pullman was played by actor Ed Greenberg. He was working for the improv theatre, The Committee when he was hired to be in Graffiti. A U.C. Berkeley graduate, Greenberg has acted in and directed sit-coms, and The Second City in Chicago as well as developed shows as a producer. He has also done voice-over work in hundreds of radio and T.V. ads. He continues to lecture and teach improv and acting techniques.

In the early part of June 2007 I had the pleasure of talking with Ed about his role in American Graffiti. He was very kind and thoughtful and a pleasure to speak with. The following is a transcription of our phone conversation.

Ed Greenberg in in the landmark film, BILLY JACK (1971).

Q: At the time AMERICAN GRAFFITI was made you were in a San Francisco improvisational theatre group called THE COMMITTEE. What can you tell me about the improvisational group and their involvement in the film?

EG: When casting director, Fred Roos was looking for players to be in the film he had seen me and thought I would be good in the film. THE COMMITTEE was the go-to group for any movies that were shot in Northern California. We wound up performing in a lot of local films. For instance, members of the group had parts in BILLY JACK [1971], where I played a free-school teacher. We were also in films such as Clint Eastwoods DIRTY HARRY [1971], and Alan Myersons STEELYARD BLUES [1973].

Q: How many members of THE COMMITTEE were in GRAFFITI?

EG: About five, I think. Lets see, Del Close [Guy at Bar], Scott Beach [Mr. Gordon], Jim Cranna [Liquor Store Thief], John Brent [Car Salesman], and me.

Q: Anyone else?

EG: Well, there were experimental splinter groups which came out of THE COMMITTEE workshop. One was called THE EXPERIMENTAL WING. Joe Spano [Vic] was in that group. And, Chris Pray [Al] was in another San Francisco improv group called, THE PITCHELL PLAYERS.

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