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Comedic legend to chat with fans in Riverhead

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Riverhead will get a chance to wish one legendary comedic actor happy birthday in person this week at downtown’s Suffolk Theater.

Golden Globe-nominated actor Charles Grodin, who starred in 1972’s The Heartbreak Kid before working as a talk show host and political commentator on CBS’s 60 Minutes, will host a discussion about his life and career this Sunday afternoon.
It will be his 78th birthday.

“He’s going to be just sitting and chatting and giving us anecdotes,” said Susan Gentile-Hackett, the theater’s director of marketing.
Suffolk Theater director Bob Spiotto said he contacted Mr. Grodin — who also co-starred alongside Robert Dinero in the 1988-hit Midnight Run — after learning it was the actor’s birthday.
Mr. Spiotto said he asked if Mr. Grodin would like to come to the theater to talk to his fans.

“He was both honored and delighted,” Mr. Spiotto said. “He was very impressed with what he saw online about the space.
“Talk about everything falling into place at the right time.”

Mr. Spiotto said Mr. Grodin’s talk will be very informal; there’s no plan for what he’ll talk about, beyond answering audience questions and sharing videos from his career.

“He is going to share all of his humorous insights about all of the things he’s experienced,” Mr. Spiotto said. “The man has done it all.”

The event, “An Afternoon of Humor with Charles Grodin,” will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Suffolk Theater.
Tickets are available online or by calling the Suffolk Theater’s box office at (631) 727-4343.