Stand-up comedian Shecky Greene at New York City’s Pierre Hotel in 2014.Photo:Dave Kotinsky/Getty
Dave Kotinsky/Getty
Shecky Greene, a legend in the Las Vegas stand-up comedy scene, has died at the age of 97, his wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, told theLas Vegas Review-Journaland his manager Howard Rapp confirmed for PEOPLE.
Known for his several appearances and guest-hosting gigs onThe Tonight Show StarringJohnny Carson, Greene’s work also extended to film and other television projects, including movies such asHistory of the World, Part Iand programs likeCombat!andLaverne & Shirley.
Greene’s widow told the Review-Journalthat her husband died of natural causes on Sunday morning, noting that he “always made humor out of whatever he could.”
“He was a brilliant Comedian. He lead off for 7 years and came back for his first show at Kutchers Hotel and worked in many large venues again,” Rapp said of Greene in a statement to PEOPLE. “He loved entertaining again. I spoked to him last week and we had a fun talk and he finished with a song that included my name.”
Rapp concluded, “Many people will miss this TALENT.”
Shecky Greene sits with Johnny Carson on Oct. 21, 1975.Paul W. Bailey/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Paul W. Bailey/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Greene, perhaps best known for his stand-up and as a pioneering lounge act, worked alongside the likes ofFrank Sinatraduring his extensive career. Frequently appearing on talk and game shows from the 1950s through 1970s, he notably guested onThe Tonight Showextensively throughout Carson’s run. PerVariety, he was a guest on more than 60 episodes of the program.
During his decades in Vegas, Greene’s headline shows would often highlight his improvisational skills, with his sets “tailored to his audience,” according to his website’sbiography.
According to theLas Vegas Review-Journal, Greene began his six decades in Vegas when he opened for Dorothy Shay in 1954, and later celebrated his final ticketed performances in the city in 2011.
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Among the many notable stories about Greene’s life used for material, perhaps his most famous include him driving his car into the the fountain in front of Caesars Palace and Sinatra saving his life when five men were beating him, perThe New York Times.
On television, Greene starred as Pvt. Braddock in ABC’sCombat!for eight episodes, and later made appearances inThe Fall GuyandThe A-Teamin the ’80s. His film work includes appearances in 1971’sThe Love Machine, 1976’sWon Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywoodand Mel Brooks' 1981 hitHistory of the World: Part I,in which he played Marcus Vindictus.
Writer Alison Martino, a family friend of Greene’s, remembered the comedian onX (formerly Twitter)as “one of the most brilliant comics ever.”
source: people.com
