Dick Shawn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Shawn
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Shawn in 1964
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| Born |
Richard Schulefand
December 1, 1923 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Died | April 17, 1987 (aged 63) San Diego, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Other names | Richy Shawn |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1956–1987 |
| Spouse(s) |
Rita Bachner
(m. 1946) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Joey Travolta (son-in-law) |
Dick Shawn (born Richard Schulefand, December 1, 1923 – April 17, 1987) was a talented American actor and comedian. He was known for playing many different types of supporting roles. He often appeared in comedies during the 1960s. He played funny characters, like Sylvester Marcus in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). He also played Lorenzo Saint DuBois, a "hippie" actor, in The Producers (1967). Besides movies, he was in many TV shows from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Contents
A Look at Dick Shawn's Career
Early Life and Stand-Up Comedy
Dick Shawn was born in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in Lackawanna, nearby. For over 35 years, Shawn performed his stand-up comedy act. He traveled to nightclubs all over the world. Stand-up comedy is when a comedian performs live in front of an audience. They usually tell jokes and funny stories.
Unique Stage Shows
Shawn had a special one-man show called The Second Greatest Entertainer in the Whole Wide World. Sometimes, it had a very surprising start. When the audience came into the theater, they would see a bare stage. There was only a pile of bricks in the middle. When the show began, Shawn would appear from inside the pile of bricks! This was a very tricky effect. It needed him to be very still and control his breathing. Even a small movement could ruin the surprise.
Movies, TV, and Broadway
Dick Shawn acted in more than 30 movies. He also performed in seven shows on Broadway. Broadway is a famous theater district in New York City. He made many appearances on television. He also toured often with his one-man show. This show combined songs, funny skits, and pantomime. Pantomime is acting without words, using only gestures.
Famous Roles in Film and TV
One of Shawn's most famous roles was in the 1967 movie The Producers. He played Lorenzo St. DuBois, also known as L.S.D. His character was an actor who auditioned for a play. He ended up getting the part of Adolf Hitler in a show that was meant to fail on purpose. Shawn earned a lot of praise for this role.
He also appeared on many popular TV shows. These included The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He played Jack Tripper's father on the sitcom Three's Company. He also had roles in dramas like St. Elsewhere and Magnum, P.I.. In 1986, he was even in a music video for the song "Dance" by the band Ratt.
Shawn also starred in an episode of Amazing Stories. This episode was called "Miss Stardust." It was about a strange beauty pageant for aliens. He also played the Emperor in The Emperor's New Clothes. This was for Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre. On January 1, 1971, he filled in for Johnny Carson as a guest host on The Tonight Show. This show aired the very last cigarette commercial on American television. It was just one minute before these ads were banned.
Dick Shawn's Family Life
Shawn married Rita Bachner in 1946. They had four children together: Amy, Wendy, Adam, and Jennifer. His only grandchild, Rachel Travolta, is the daughter of his daughter Wendy. Wendy is married to Joey Travolta. Dick Shawn lived in Englewood, New Jersey for many years.
A Sad Farewell
On April 17, 1987, Dick Shawn was performing on stage. He was at the University of California, San Diego's Mandeville Hall. During his act, he suddenly collapsed. He had a heart attack. At first, the audience thought it was part of his comedy act. He remained still for several minutes. Then, a stage hand checked on him. They asked if there was a doctor in the audience.
Medical help was started, and the audience was asked to leave. Many people stayed, still thinking it was part of the show. They only started leaving when paramedics arrived. The next day, the San Diego Union newspaper announced that Dick Shawn had passed away. He was 63 years old. Shawn was buried at Hillside Memorial Park. This is a Jewish cemetery in Culver City, California.
His Lasting Impact
Some people believe that the famous comedian Andy Kaufman was inspired by Dick Shawn. Actor Matthew Glave played Shawn in a short film. This film was called Leave 'Em Laughing. It showed the last moments of Shawn's life.
