Foster Brooks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Foster Brooks
Born	(1912-05-11)May 11, 1912 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	December 20, 2001(2001-12-20) (aged 89) Encino, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor comedian singer
Years active	1952–1996
Spouse(s)	Loretta Brooks ​ ​ (m. 1933; div. 1950)​ Teri Brooks ​ (m. 1950⁠–⁠2001)​
Children	6

Foster Brooks (May 11, 1912 – December 20, 2001) was a famous American actor and comedian. He was best known for playing a funny character who seemed a bit confused or muddled. This character often made people laugh with his unique way of speaking.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Foster Brooks was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 11, 1912. He had seven brothers. His career began in radio, working at station WHAS (AM) in Louisville. He was a staff announcer, and his deep voice was also good for singing.

Brooks became well-known for reporting on the Ohio River flood of 1937. He was featured on emergency broadcasts during this time. In 1952, he appeared on local TV in a comedy show.

He later worked in radio and TV in Rochester, New York, and Buffalo, New York. In Buffalo, he hosted shows like "The Musical Clock." He also performed with a country music group called the Hi-Hatters. In 1997, Brooks was honored in the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Moving to Los Angeles

In 1960, Brooks moved his family to Los Angeles. He wanted to find more acting opportunities there. During this time, he appeared on TV comedies like The Munsters, The Monkees, and Bewitched.

To support his family, Brooks also delivered mail and phone books. He managed an apartment building and worked as a security guard for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

On Steve Allen Show in the 1960s, Brooks played a funny character. He pretended to be an important movie producer. This character claimed to have invented the idea of putting commercials into movies.

Big Break in Comedy

In 1969, TV personality Dennis James introduced Brooks to singer Perry Como. Como chose Brooks to open for him at a hotel in Las Vegas. The hotel owners were unsure because Brooks was older and not famous. But Como insisted, and Brooks was a huge success.

Soon after, he made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This helped him become even more famous.

Comedy Career Highlights

Brooks often appeared on The Dean Martin Show in the 1970s. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 1974. He also appeared on many other TV shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

His most famous comedy routine was the basis of a hit album called Foster Brooks, The Lovable Lush. In this routine, Brooks played a character who was a bit confused or muddled, often like someone at a convention. He was known for his funny delivery and speech.

Brooks was especially popular on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast. Here, he would playfully make fun of other comedians and famous people. He roasted stars like Don Rickles, Johnny Carson, and Lucille Ball. He also roasted public figures such as writer Truman Capote and former vice president Hubert Humphrey.

Sometimes, Brooks played serious characters. For example, in a 1968 episode of Adam-12, he played a citizen trying to avoid a parking ticket. He also played a chemist in Green Acres in 1969. In another Green Acres episode, his character met and befriended the pig Arnold Ziffel in a hotel bar.

In the 1970s, Brooks was a celebrity guest on game shows like Hollywood Squares and Match Game. In 1979, he appeared in the movie The Villain.

He also had a role as Mr. Sternhagen on the TV show Mork & Mindy. Brooks was a member of the Al Malaikah Shriners in Los Angeles. He sometimes sang on TV shows, showing off his singing voice.

His last performance was at a celebrity roast in Las Vegas for Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Later Years and Legacy

Foster Brooks was mentioned in later TV shows like Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Get a Life. His unique comedic style left a lasting impression on comedy.

Personal Life

Foster Brooks was married twice. He first married Loretta Brooks, and they had a son and three daughters. They later divorced. In the same year, he married Teri Brooks, and they had two daughters. His brother, Tom, was also a well-known entertainer.

Death

Foster Brooks passed away on December 20, 2001, at his home in Encino, California. He was 89 years old and died from heart failure.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Foster Brooks para niños

• List of people from the Louisville metropolitan area