Norbert Leo Butz to Star in a New Sitcom for CBS
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 09, 2005
According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, Butz has signed a development deal with Paramount Network Television, CBS and producer Joe Roth. The team is currently involved in meetings with prospective writers for the show.
"I believe he's got something really special and will become a big television star...He's got charm and a (knack for) physical comedy like Jack Black, and he looks like a regular guy," stated Roth, who first saw Butz in Rent almost a decade ago. Roth was once again taken with Butz' comedic skills after seeing a preview of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in February; the producer had already snagged a comedy series deal with Paramount TV and CBS, and decided to mold it around Butz. Coincidentally, Butz had bumped into CBS head Les Moonves, who was seated in front of him, at the Tony Awards in June.
In addition to a Tony Award for playing the endearingly scheming Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Butz received a Tony nomination for his performance in Thou Shalt Not. Other Broadway credits include Wicked (in which he created the role of Fiyero) and Rent, in which he played Roger. He was also seen as the Emcee in the national tour of Cabaret, and created the role of Jamie in the original off-Broadway production of The Last Five Years.
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