Carroll O'Connor

When I was a student at the University of Montana School of Journalism, actor Carroll O'Connor was a major contributor to our school because he was a UM grad. A cub reporter on the school newspaper, I was the only one "uncool" enough to interview him. He was quite popular at the time, as the groundbreaking "All in the Family" was still prominent in TV-viewers' minds. He stood to my right, in a biege trench coat, smoking a huge cigar as I asked him carefully-written questions. He was quite gracious -- until a much-hated grad student interrupted us to O'Connor's right. "Archie Bunker" simply turned his head toward the intruder, said nothing, and blew a heavy cloud of smoke into his face! The stupid grad student finally got the idea and departed. "Archie" then turned calmly back to me in preparation for my next question. It was a great moment!