George Kirby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Kirby |
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Kirby in 1964
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| Born | June 8, 1923 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 1995 (aged 72) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Spouse | Rosemary (1960–1995) |
George Kirby (born June 8, 1923 – died September 30, 1995) was a famous American comedian, singer, and actor. He was known for his amazing ability to imitate many different people and sounds.
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George Kirby's Career
George Kirby was born in Chicago, Illinois. He started his entertainment career in the 1940s. He performed at the Club DeLisa, a popular place in Chicago. This club had a variety show format, meaning it featured different acts like singers, dancers, and comedians.
Kirby was one of the first African American comedians to be popular with both black and white audiences. This was during the Civil Rights Movement, a time when people worked for equal rights. From 1963 to 1972, he appeared on many big TV shows. These included The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Kirby's Impersonations
As an impressionist, George Kirby could perfectly imitate many famous people. He mimicked white celebrities like John Wayne and Walter Brennan. He also imitated black stars such as Bill Cosby and Pearl Bailey. Doing this was quite bold for the 1960s.
Kirby was also a talented bebop piano player. He could sing and do vocal impressions of jazz legends. These included Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. He could even perfectly imitate women's and children's voices. He also made many different sounds, like military noises and airplane sounds.
Television Shows
In 1970, George Kirby got his own TV special called The George Kirby Show. This show helped see if people would watch his own weekly TV series. It led to him hosting Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour in 1972. This was a sketch comedy and variety show that ran for 22 episodes. The famous actor and comedian Steve Martin had one of his first TV roles on this show.
Kirby was also a regular on the ABC series The Kopykats. On this show, he performed with other impressionists. These included Rich Little and Frank Gorshin.
Later Career
After his own show ended, Kirby's career became less active. Audiences started looking for new kinds of comedy. However, HBO featured him in their On Location With series in the late 1970s. They filmed one of his shows at Grossinger's, a club he often performed at.
His career never reached its earlier heights again. But he did make guest appearances on TV shows like Gimme a Break and What's Happening Now!!. In 1983, he joined Bob Hope on a USO tour. They entertained troops in Beirut, Lebanon, who were part of a peacekeeping force.
George Kirby's Death
In his later years, George Kirby was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This is a condition that affects movement. He made his last public appearance in May 1995. This was at a special event held by his friends to help with his medical bills.
George Kirby passed away on September 30, 1995. He died from Parkinson's disease at a nursing home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was survived by his wife, Rosemary.
