How big of a movie star was Dabney Coleman?

I think he was banned from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Carson tried to do a regular interview, but Coleman did the funniest routine -- he acted as if every question Carson asked was more and more of an embarrassment to Carson. Soon it was down to Coleman holding his hands between his knees, head sort of down, looking up at us, rocking back and forth, and to every question something like, "Ooooo-KAY!" You'd have to have seen it.

Thing is, you do NOT embarrass or make fun of Mr. Carson. Not only would Carson ban you from the show, he'd try to destroy your career. He may have suffered because of that.

The studio audience was roaring, though, and I laughed myself silly. It was a magnificent performance, but I doubt it was worth it.

I would not classify Dabney Coleman as a movie star. He was a supporting actor at best, and he was great in the parts that he got. I can't recall him every having a starring role in a movie or carrying the movie himself, but he added his distinctive presence to everything he was in. He was in tons of guest starring parts in episodic shows going way back

Proably Craig T. Nelson is the closest comparison. Dabney Coleman I think got to be seen and known in the several Fernwood series starting with Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Look at his IMDB entry and it goes on forever with the guest starring roles he was in. I hope he collected residuals for those, but I sort of doubt it.

Top notch character actor. One of those guys that people recognize but don't remember his name, other than movie buffs.

I’ve seen him appear as far back as the mid 60s on TV shows like The Fugitive and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

He was probably invited to all the good parties.