Biografie

Was an actor in army training films.

Suffered from manic-depressive disorder, since his freshman year at Yale University.

Bilko's Godson (1959) was his first appearance on TV. During an recent interview he recalled how during a break in the shooting, he approached Phil Silvers and said, "I know there's no way you'd remember, but I saw you in ['the Broadway show] 'Top Banana' and went backstage and you gave me an autographed picture." And without a moment's hesitation Silvers replied "What's the deal, kid, you here to give it back?".

Was a talent coordinator, and later writer, for Jack Paar's TV show. Appeared many times on talk shows as a stand-up comic.

Was a gymnast when he was younger.

Anyone who steals another comic's material should be sentenced for life to reading Aristophanes to the O.J. [O.J. Simpson] jury.

I'm perplexed when people adopt the modish abbreviation "Ms.," which doesn't abbreviate anything except common sense.

There's so much comedy on television. Does that cause comedy in the streets?

[on Stu Hample] He was a great appreciator of comedy. He was an extremely funny man. He could be funny in a good stand-up comedy way in your living room. or walking across the park. And he had a prodigious memory for comic literature and could quote whole routines--with the accuracy they deserved.

[on being a talk-show host] It's a wonderful job for people who have never had a nervous breakdown and have always wanted one.