TERRY GROSS: So you have a reputation of being, you know, a very demanding boss and of sometimes having quite a temper. When you were 15 and 16 and you were working with these theater giants, how did they treat you?
Transcript
GROSS: So you have a reputation of being, you know, a very demanding boss and of sometimes having quite a temper. When you were 15 and 16 and you were working with these theater giants, how did they treat you?
RUDIN: Some great, some not so great. But honestly, I didn't care. I mean, it was better when they were great because it was easier. But the quick pro quo of the exposure to what they were doing against being batted around a little bit, who cares? I mean, it was meaningless to me. I mean, (laughter) when I worked for Kermit Bloomgarden, he had had cancer a few years before I was there.
And he had an artificial leg. And he was unhappy with the way the leg was bending. And he called me into his bedroom, took off his pants, took off his leg and told me to go and get it fixed...
GROSS: (Laughter).
RUDIN: ...And wouldn't give me cab fare - made me take it on the bus (laughter). So - but you know what? What do I care? I mean...
(LAUGHTER)
RUDIN: ...It was probably the greatest day of my life (laughter). I can't think of anything that's been better than that, honestly. I used to have to pick tomato worms off the plants in his garden. But you know what? He was producing "Equus." He had produced...
(LAUGHTER)
RUDIN: ...All these extraordinary plays. I learned more from him than I probably learned from anybody in my life for years since then. I mean...
