Milton Berle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Milton Berle
|
|
|---|---|
Milton Berle
|
|
| Born |
Mendel Berlinger
July 12, 1908 New York City, U.S.
|
| Died | March 27, 2002 (aged 93) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Other names | Mr. Television, Uncle Miltie, Mr. Tuesday Night. |
| Education | Professional Children's School |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1913–2000 |
| Spouse(s) |
Joyce Mathews
(m. 1941; div. 1947)
(m. 1949; div. 1950)Ruth Cosgrove Rosenthal
(m. 1953; died 1989)Lorna Adams
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 3 |
Milton Berle (born Mendel Berlinger; July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was a famous American actor and comedian. He had a very long career, lasting over 80 years! He started as a child actor in silent films and on stage. Later, he became a big star in radio, movies, and especially television.
Millions of people knew him as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television." This was during the early days of TV, often called the "Golden Age of Television." He even has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio and TV.
Contents
Milton Berle's Early Career (1908-1948)
Milton Berle's journey to becoming a TV star began many years before television was even invented. He started performing in vaudeville. Vaudeville was a popular type of live stage show in the early 1900s. It was like a big variety show with singers, dancers, comedians, and acrobats.
Young Milton was very quick-witted and energetic. He learned a lot by performing live in front of audiences. He worked with many other talented people.
In the 1930s, he moved into radio. Radio shows reached even more people. Berle was great at thinking fast and connecting with his listeners. He appeared on many radio shows, improving his comedy skills. These skills were very important when he later moved to television.
His stage name, Milton Berle, was a shorter version of his birth name, Milton Berlinger. Many performers changed their names to be more memorable.
The Texaco Star Theater (1948-1955)
Milton Berle became a huge star in 1948 when he started hosting the Texaco Star Theater on NBC. This show was incredibly popular. Families all over the country gathered around their TVs every Tuesday night to watch him.
The show was broadcast live, which meant there was no chance to fix mistakes! This made it very exciting and unpredictable. Texaco, a large oil company, paid for the show. This allowed Berle to have amazing sets, costumes, and special effects. These were very advanced for that time.
Texaco Star Theater was important for many reasons:
- Live Television: The show was completely live, which added to the excitement.
- Variety: Each week had different comedy skits, music, and celebrity guests. This kept the show fresh and fun.
- Audience Connection: Berle often talked directly to the audience. This made viewers feel like they were part of the show.
- Huge Influence: Berle's comedy style inspired many comedians who came after him.
- High Ratings: The show was watched by a huge number of people. Often, more than 70% of all TV viewers tuned in!
Later Years in Entertainment (1955-1985)
After Texaco Star Theater ended in 1955, Milton Berle kept working in TV and movies. He was still a very famous person in entertainment. While his later shows might not have been as popular as Texaco Star Theater, he continued to contribute a lot to the industry.
He appeared in many films and TV shows. This showed how talented and popular he remained. His unique humor and showmanship left a lasting mark on entertainment.
Death and Lasting Legacy
Milton Berle passed away on March 27, 2002. He left behind a great legacy that is still remembered today. He is known not just as a funny comedian, but as a pioneer. He helped shape what television entertainment became. His work on TV was very important. His influence can still be seen in many comedy shows today.
Milton Berle's Personal Life
Milton Berle was married four times. He first married Joyce Mathews twice, and they divorced both times. In 1953, he married Ruth Cosgrove, a publicist. She passed away in 1989.
In 1992, he married Lorna Adams, a fashion designer. Milton Berle had three children: Victoria, William, and Bob Williams. He also had two stepdaughters and three grandchildren.
Honors and Awards
Milton Berle received many awards for his work:
- In 1950, he won an Emmy Award for his TV personality. His show, Texaco Star Theater, also won an Emmy that year.
- He was nominated for Emmys for his acting in 1962 and 1995.
- In 1979, he received a special Emmy Award called "Mr. Television."
- On February 8, 1960, Milton Berle received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One was for his TV work, and the other for his radio work.
- He was one of the first people to be inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1984.
- In 2007, he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
-
Milton Berle
-
Milton Berle and Ruth Cosgrove Berle, 1979.
-
Crypt of Milton Berle, at Hillside Memorial Park
See also
In Spanish: Milton Berle para niños
