Joe Regalbuto gives a forceful sitcom lead someone worth talking to. His Frank Fontana helps make Murphy Brown a proper ensemble, and remains the clearest reason to value a career that also includes substantial television directing.
Fi1m perspective
Beside Candice Bergen in Murphy Brown (1988), Joe Regalbuto gives Frank Fontana enough wit to be more than a colleague waiting for the next instruction. Frank is an investigative reporter whose loyalty to Murphy could easily leave him doing little beyond agreeing with her. Regalbuto makes him useful to the comedy in his own right. We warmed to him because his rapport with Bergen lets Murphy be difficult without making every exchange exhausting. This is supporting work worth noticing, particularly in a programme whose central personality is so forceful.
His earlier film work includes Frank Teruggi in Missing (1982), but Murphy Brown established the role that defines his public profile. During the original 1988–1998 run, he also moved into directing, handling more than 20 episodes. The shift towards multi-camera sitcom direction suits the qualities evident in his acting, particularly his comic timing and his ability to work within a group.
The strength of Murphy Brown is that Regalbuto is not left to do that supporting work alone. Faith Ford's Corky Sherwood and Charles Kimbrough's Jim Dial help give Bergen colleagues substantial enough to stand beside her. Barnet Kellman directs the pilot, allowing absurd situations to develop without announcing every next step. The programme is less rewarding when it turns to secretary gags and musical routines. We prefer the comedy that comes from these people working alongside one another, with enough personality between them to keep an exchange from belonging entirely to Murphy.
An episode of Friends in 1999 and 43 episodes of George Lopez between 2002 and 2007 made directing a substantial second occupation. That record does not establish how well any particular scene works, and Frank remains the firmer basis for our enthusiasm. Regalbuto returned to the part for the 2018 revival. Start with Murphy Brown if newsroom comedy appeals, and allow some patience for the running gags.
Biography
Joe Regalbuto is an American actor and director. He was born on 24 August 1949 in New York City.
He is best known for playing investigative reporter Frank Fontana on the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown (1988–1998), a role he reprised in the 2018 revival. The performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1989. He also directed more than twenty episodes of the series.
Regalbuto has directed episodes of other series including Friends (1994). His other acting credits include appearances in Missing (1982), Raw Deal (1986) and guest roles in series such as Criminal Minds and NCIS.
