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Bill Saluga, the comedian best known for his cigar-smoking, zoot-suit-wearing character Raymond J. Johnson Jr. and his famous catchphrase “You can call me Ray…,” has died. He was 85. The comedy legend passed away on March 28 in hospice care in Los Angeles after spending eight months in the hospital, his friend Bill Minkin told The Hollywood Reporter. His death was said to be caused by complications of heart failure and arthritis. Born on September 16, 1937, in Youngstown, Ohio, Saluga started out as a doorman at The Bitter End nightclub in New York before taking to the stage as part of the improv comedy group Ace Trucking Company. The group, which featured George Memmoli, Michael Mislove, Patti Deutsch, and Fred Willard, found success in the 1960s and 70s, even appearing on Tom Jones‘ 1971 ABC variety special. Saluga’s most popular character was Raymond J. Johnson Jr., who began his sketches with his trademark line,...

Bill Saluga, a comedian best known for his trademark phrase, “You can call me Ray,” has died. He was 85.

Saluga spent eight months in the hospital and died March 28 in hospice care in Los Angeles, his friend Bill Minkin told The Hollywood Reporter.

Born Sept. 16, 1937, in Youngstown, Ohio, Saluga worked as a doorman at The Bitter End in New York, then took the stage at the famed nightclub as a member of the Ace Trucking Company.

The improvisational comedy group, with other founding members including George Memmoli, Michael Mislove, Patti Deutsch and Fred Willard, found success in the 1960s and ’70s. They opened for Tom Jones in Las Vegas and performed on the singer’s 1971 ABC variety show, which was filmed in London.

Saluga’s Raymond J. Johnson Jr. was his most notable character. He would begin comedy sketches with “You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay,...

Bill Saluga, whose trademark lines that began with “You can call me Ray” cracked up a generation of comedy fans, has died, according to his friend, Eric Brenner. He was 85.

Saluga’s March 28 death in Los Angeles was attributed to complications of heart failure and arthritis, according to his friend, Bill Minkin, who joined with him, Fred Willard, Patti Deutsch, Michael Mislove and George Memmoli in the improv troupe Ace Trucking Company.

Related: Fred Willard Dies: Actor On ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ And ‘Fernwood 2Night’ Was 86

“He was an icon,” said Minkin, who characterized his friend as quiet and polite when he wasn’t on stage, a stark contrast to the brash characters he portrayed.

Saluga was best known for his cigar-smoking, zoot suited character Raymond J. Johnson Jr.

A frequent talk-show guest, Saluga would be triggered by someone calling him “Mr. Johnson.” Feigning outrage, he then would launch into a soliloquy for his catchphrase,...

Jered Barclay, a longtime stage and screen actor who found a second career as a TV voice-over artist for series including The Smurfs and The Transformers, has died. He was 91. His longtime friend Myra Turley said Barclay died July 23 of Mds leukemia in North Hollywood, CA.

Born on November 22, 1930, in Seattle, Barclay began in show business at age 3, performing in vaudeville with the likes of Judy Garland, Shirley Temple and Sammy Davis Jr. He was doing radio at 6 and traveled with the Clyde Beatty Circus at age 12.

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Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery

His screen career began in the mid-1950s, including an unbilled role as a freaked-out...

Sunday’s telecast of the Screen Actors Guild will feature a special In Memoriam segment devoted to many of the actors and actresses who have died since last year’s ceremony in late January. Sure to be among those saluted include Oscar winner Martin Landau, comedy legend Jerry Lewis, and beloved film and TV star Bill Paxton. Visit our own Gold Derby memoriam galleries for this past year of 2017 and the newly-started gallery for 2018.

Over 100 people in SAG/AFTRA have passed away in the past 12 months. Which of the following 60 names will also be featured in the televised tribute?

SEE2018 SAG Awards TV predictions: Complete racetrack odds in all 9 categories

Richard Anderson (actor)

Chuck Barris (host/executive)

Shelley Berman (actor)

Chuck Berry (singer/actor)

Joseph Bologna (actor)

Powers Boothe (actor)

Brent Briscoe (actor)

Glen Campbell (singer/actor)

Bernie Casey (actor)

David Cassidy (actor/singer)

Mike Connors (actor)

Danielle Darrieux (actor...

Patti Deutsch, a comic who was a regular on the last season of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, appeared often on the 1970s Match Game and went on to a successful voice-over career, has died. She was 73. Her family said she died Wednesday at her Los Angeles home after a long battle with cancer. Born in Pittsburgh on December 16, 1943, Deutsch worked alongside Fred Willard in the improv troupe Ace Trucking Company in the 1960s and early ’70s. The group, which made multiple…...

Patti Deutsch, a comic who was a regular on the last season of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, appeared often on the 1970s Match Game and went on to a successful voice-over career, has died. She was 73. Her family said she died Wednesday at her Los Angeles home after a long battle with cancer. Born in Pittsburgh on December 16, 1943, Deutsch worked alongside Fred Willard in the improv troupe Ace Trucking Company in the 1960s and early ’70s. The group, which made multiple…...

Patti Deutsch, the witty comedian and voiceover artist with the nasally delivery who was a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and on game shows like Match Game and Tattletales, has died. She was 73.

Deutsch died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, her family announced.

Deutsch came to fame as a member of the 1960s-'70s improvisational comedy group Ace Trucking Company, which also featured Fred Willard, Bill "You Can Call Me Ray" Saluga, Michael Mislove and George Memmoli.

She and the troupe appeared dozens of times on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, on other talk...

Dumb Dora was so dumb that she didn’t realize this week marks the 40th anniversary of Match Game‘s ’70s incarnation. That’s right: The game show that brought you Gene Rayburn’s Neanderthal posture, that funky think music, and the exploits of Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson and many more is 40 years old. It’s an irreplaceable treasure. There is no show like it, and I’m including other celebrity-dappled games like Hollywood Squares and Tattletales in that estimation.

Let’s celebrate with an old-fashioned countdown: the 10 best celebrities in Match Game

10. Gary Burghoff

Always the most cherished understudy in the ever-important Top Right chair, Burghoff was pleasant and game without being histrionic. Always on my Radar.

9. Elaine Joyce

Once and for all, the only Bottom Left-seated celebrity who could be both the ditzy blonde and a self-aware, naughty player too. She married Neil Simon, guys.