Life is full of surprises, and one unplanned occurrence altered David Tolley’s future. On December 19, 1985, while watching Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in the studio, something unexpected occurred. The classical pianist Horatio Gutierrez was going to be the guest, but Carson announced that he would be unable to perform due to a hand injury. Carson asked whether anyone in the audience could play the piano with any rhythmic abnormalities.
Tolley, who had grown up playing the piano, jumped straight into it. He came to the stage, singing “Memory” from the hit musical Cats. He garnered a standing ovation from the audience and gained renown for his unexpected performance.
The day following the event, Tolley’s phone started calling constantly. People phoned him with offers to play roles in films, cruise ship employment, and other opportunities. A accidental encounter on a late-night talk program had altered his life forever. The story of Tolley’s unexpected triumph serves as a reminder that we should constantly be ready to seize the opportunities and challenges that life brings.
