Email this storyKoelbel, whose best known work was in the 1972 classic "The Green Chicken Diaries" which he wrote and starred in with a young, up and coming Al Pacino. He also had a successful 3 year run on Broadway with the madcap "I'll Do The Funny Stuff" which he co-wrote with Neil Simon and starred in with Carol Channing. Critical kudos went to Koelbel for his heartfelt portrayal of a cross dressing Gestapo agent in the 1964 film noir classic "Good Morning Norwegians" where on the set, he began a long time close relationship with costar Bob Crane. Crane at the time, offered Koelbel the part of Colonel Klink on his then upcoming "Hogan's Heroes" sitcom for ABC, Koelbel declined, citing scheduling conflicts, but did in fact, later help Crane on many of his private film projects. Koelbel did however, have a recurring role on "Heroes" as the less then astute, Heir Ball.
Serving his country with distinction, Koelbel climbed to the stratospheric rank of Private First Class in a mere six years. His stellar service was regarded by most as "an impossible act to follow." Most of Koelbel's activities during the cold war are still classified. What is known from this period, is that he tirelessly defended the peacetime beer halls of Munich and masterfully confused his Soviet counterparts with a long series of endless and unyielding stories of self importance. These stories were later compiled into what became "The Green Chicken Diaries", considered by many as Koelbel's nod to Chaucer.
Michael Zip, Executive VP of programming for Fox said "Finding Roy 'holed up' in the ancient city was like hitting the lottery." The discovery was made when Sandra Kloke, a location scout for Fox was checking out St Augustine as a possible setting for the next Michael Richards vehicle "Kratchet!" During a break in the work, Kloke found herself in a local microbrewery where Roy was holding court. I remember thinking, "So much bullshit coming from one man, if he could spew this stuff out on a weekly basis we could have another Seinfeld or at least an ALF," After several pints of lackluster homebrew, a concept was formed. Kloke made a few phone calls and subsequently the Richards project was scrapped and Koelbel was a go. The framework for the project, code named "Ancient Mariner" began to take shape rapidly into what will undoubtedly make television history. This week the nation will tune in for the much anticipated "This Old Nazi." The show, described by some as "The Sopranos" meets "The West Wing", will portray Roy's day to day exploits as the goosestepping mayor of the ancient city, who is in constant pursuit of global domination. His half baked attempts at annexing nearby towns and the constant border skirmishes with surrounding counties make for some interesting situations. In one episode, Roy argues before the city commission the need for a Panza division to deal with the parking problems of downtown. In another, he convinces Northrop Grumman (NOC), a local defense contractor, to rent him bombers by the hour should the need arise. Roy's closest ally in all this is Dr Sullivan, a reclusive social worker who is setting up re-education camps for teenagers throughout the city ("The Koelbel Youth"). High jinx abound, as the boy's work to crush the opposition and bring about a new world order.
At the wrap party for episode 1 ("Peace In Our
Time"), at the upscale Chez Pizza Garden in downtown St Augustine,
the star was asked about the potential commercial success of his latest project,
Koelbel just took a long drag on his pipe, smiled and said "You know, I am
really the only regular guy in this town," then slipped off into one of his
legendary power naps.
Koelbel on the set of
"This Old Nazi"
| Articles From Reuters | |