Marc Price

Actor Marc Price will forever be known for his role as Irwin “Skippy” Handelman on the television series Family Ties, but his accomplishments are much more than that. Over the years he’s carved out a career that ranges from standup comedy to writing and producing in Hollywood.

He has appeared on Last Comic Standing and went on the Sitcom Legends Tour with various comedians.

His cinematic resume includes this year’s Witchy Ways which was recently screened at Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.

To spotlight his 1896 film Trick or Treat where he played Eddie “Ragman” Weinbauer he’s coming to the iO Theater this Halloween to speak at the screening.

Price talked on the telephone about his career while out on tour before he arrived in the Windy City.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hi, Marc. I appreciate you taking time out for this interview while you are driving to your next gig. Do you like all the travel involved with your standup act?

MP: (Marc Price) Well, I have been doing it forever. My dad was a comedian and my mom was a singer. They used to take me on tour. My mom really grew to hate showbiz and grew to hate my father. They did the common divorce thing in the ‘70s and even called it “being recycled” instead of saying the word divorce.

My mom had a plan for me to go to Cornell University but my dad wanted me to hang out with him in comedy clubs. My mom’s plan didn’t have a chance!

JN: You grew up in California?

MP: I moved to California when I was 12 years old.

JN: How old were you when Family Ties happened?

MP: I was 14. My dad moved out west in hopes of him landing a sitcom. He was in his sixties and that wasn’t as absurd then as it sounds now. Back in the day, they used older people in the movies and on TV.

It just worked out differently. He was always supportive and proud of me. My career happened because of him. One of his friends named Phil Foster played the dad Frank DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley. He brought me into the studio to watch Laverne & Shirley. They were working on a physical routine and my jaw dropped to the ground. I will never forget it.

Frank asked if I wanted to come back to watch more and I was visiting from New Jersey at the time. I watched shows like Mork & Mindy and Bosom Buddies on the set. Tom Hanks even came over and introduced himself. It was only a couple of years later that we made Family Ties in the same studio and then Tom later played uncle Ned in a couple of episodes.

JN: What can people expect from your live show at Zanies?

MP: They can expect no refunds! [laughs] The act starts off with stories about hanging out backstage with Milton Berle, Joey Bishop and George Burns. My dad took me to see up-and-coming “kids” as he referred to them, like David Brenner, Robert Kline and George Carlin. They are the ones that brought comedy into a modern standup format.

I was able to get into The Comedy Store when I was 12 years old because they didn’t serve alcohol at the time, just food, so it operated like a restaurant. That’s when I met people like Jim Carrey, Andrew Dice Clay and Sam Kinison who weren’t famous yet. My comedy represents all of these influences.

JN: I see Brett Walkow is opening for you at Zanies.

MP: He is a dynamic talent. Comedians are not always nice and funny at the same time, but Brett is both. I love watching him perform.

JN: I interviewed Marsha Warfield recently and I read you had toured with her in the past.

MP: She came out on the road with me one time and she hadn’t done standup for a long time before that. It was an honor to be with her. She is at full speed now with her own show in Vegas and is back on Night Court.

JN: I saw your latest film Witchy Ways where you played Robby at the Reeling Film Festival.

MP: I played the annoying neighbor, so that is something I am good at. Skippy was more lovable. I play the antagonist in this one. It’s not a dark movie and it has a lot of heart. It’s similar to Bewitched and I am Gladys Kravitz!

JN: Jane Clark the director said you live next door to her.

MP: Yes, I am her real-life annoying neighbor!

JN: When Jane told me you were in an LGBTQ+ movie I was happy to discover that you are an ally to the community.

MP: I am definitely an ally and loved working with Candis Cayne. She stole the movie and I was very impressed with her. I’m a big fan of hers now.

JN: I interviewed Candis in the past and also Meredith Baxter from Family Ties. Meredith had just been outed at the time so she was emotional when we talked.

MP: She mothered us all and she hated the fact that Michael J. Fox smoked cigarettes. Justine Bateman and I thought he was cool so we smoked cigarettes too. I even smoked his brand. Meredith flipped out about it and that was because she cared about us. She was right and I wish I would have listened to her.

JN: Do you still smoke?

MP: No, that was a different era…

JN: You also have a Trick or Treat movie screening to attend while you are in Chicago.

MP: Yes, and that’s a nice Horror bookend with Trick or Treat from back in the day and Witchy Ways from right now.

JN: Are you planning on wearing a costume since there is a costume contest?

MP: I am working on a costume based on my character from the movie, who has long hair and a flannel t-shirt.

JN: I saw it on TV the other day.

MP: That’s weird because I don’t think it has aired on television before. The company that owned it was called De Laurentiis and it closed down a long time ago. I wonder who put it on TV.

JN: Are you getting checks for it?

MP: Good question. Sometimes I get checks that have amounts less than a postage stamp. There’s a place in California called Residuals Tavern and when you bring in the check they will give you are free drink.

JN: That’s hilarious. Weren’t you on Family Ties for around 50 episodes?

MP: I am not sure, but it was seven seasons on TV

JN: Was there ever talk about a spinoff for Skippy?

MP: Scott Valentine who played Nick Moore was offered two spinoffs. One of the writers came to me and wanted to do a storyline where Skippy was a standup comedian. He would work in a comedy club and it could have prompted a spinoff eventually. I passed on the idea because I wanted to keep my standup separate from the show. In retrospect, it may have been a poor decision.

Look for him to host with live commentary for a special screening of Trick or Treat at the iO Theater, 1501 North Kingsbury Street, on October 31. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be found at ioimprove.com.

The Price is right for tickets at rosemont.zanies.com. His standup appearance takes place at Zanies, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, Illinois on Sunday, November 3, 2024.