WAMU 88.5 : The Diane Rehm Show

Former West Wing Actor Richard Schiff

For seven years ending in 2006 "The West Wing" was one of the hottest shows on television. It won four consecutive Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series. Richard Schiff played the role of White House communications director Toby Ziegler. He brought a brooding sense of seriousness and purpose to the role, which earned him an acting Emmy. Among his post-"West Wing" work, Schiff recently finished a run on Broadway in "Glengarry Glen Ross" with Al Pacino. Now he's in Washington to star in Eugene O'Neill's play "Hughie." Schiff joins Diane to talk about his career on film, stage and TV - and why he did not set out to be an actor.

Video: Inside The Studio

Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Schiff discusses what's behind the success of "The West Wing" television show. "It was a perfect storm of good luck, I think," says Schiff. He goes on to explain why he almost didn't show up at his audition for the role of White House communications director Toby Ziegler.

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