Father Geek here... another entertainer of note has died... this time Funnyman Buddy Hackett. I loved him in MUSIC MAN! I'm thankful Uncapie took this Obit on his broad shoulders, I've had to write way too many of these in the last couple of weeks and it brings me way down every time... Here's Uncapie's tribute...
Some depressing news in the wake of Miss Katherine Hepburn and Mr. David Newman's passing. Comedian Buddy Hackett has died at the age of 78.
Mr. Hackett, who's real name was Leonard Hacker, was born in 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. A poor student, but intelligent, he was bitten by the acting bug when he got the chance to direct a play in high school. Acquiring summer jobs at a resort as a waiter and a bellhop, he worked his charm into a position as a tummler which was a noisemaker and fun generator that would guarantee the patrons a good time; a role he was born to play.
After serving three years during World War II in an antiaircraft gunnery unit, he returned home in 1945, bought a ticket to see the stage play, "Oklahoma!" and was determined to make a go at being an entertainer. His first job was at the "Pink Elephant" when he was paid $40 a week. He flopped and was soon fired. He received an invitation to play some of the clubs in Las Vegas where he honed his craft and later went back east to the Catskills playing at several hotels. This lead him to television, where he had two specials produced in the 50's and a short-lived tv series, "Stanley," that also starred an upcoming ingenue named, Carole Burnett.
His brand of comedy opened up the doors for him in Hollywood allowing him to costar in such hits as "The Music Man", "Gods' Little Acre", "Its A Mad, Mad, Mad World", "The Love Bug", "The Wonderful World Of the Brothers Grimm", "Scrooged" and American International Pictures' 60's surf movie, "Muscle Beach Party" to name a few.
Numerous television credits included, "Rowan And Martin's Laugh In," "The Tonight Show" with the original host, Steve Allen, "The Jack Parr Show," "The Jackie Gleason Show," the tv movie "Bud And Lou" where he played Lou Costello and most recently, "Just Shoot Me" along with "The Late, Late Show With Craig Kilborn."
He also lent out his vocal talents to such animated hits as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Little Mermaid II" portraying "Scuttle" as well as "The Fish Police" as "Crabby."
Mr. Hackett was a gentle man who made the world a little happier to be in. Thanks for making us laugh. You will always be remembered.
Uncapie
