Milton Berle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Born	Mendel Berlinger (1908-07-12)July 12, 1908 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 27, 2002(2002-03-27) (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	Actor comedian
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; Yiddish: ‏מענדעל בערלינגער; July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was an American actor and comedian. His career as an entertainer spanned over 80 years, first in silent films and on stage as a child actor, then in radio, movies and television. As the host of NBC's Texaco Star Theatre (1948–1953), he was the first major American television star and was known to millions of viewers as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television" during the first Golden Age of Television. He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in both radio and TV.

Early life and career (1908-1948)

Berle's journey to television stardom started long before the invention of the television set. He began his career in vaudeville, a form of stage entertainment popular in the early 20th century. Vaudeville shows were a mix of musical acts, comedians, acrobats, and other performers. Imagine a variety show, but live and in a theater! Young Milton, with his quick wit and energetic style, quickly gained experience performing alongside many other talented people in front of live audiences.

He honed his comedic skills performing in various venues, eventually transitioning to radio in the 1930s. Radio offered a broader audience, and Berle’s quick-thinking and ability to connect with listeners made him a success. He appeared in many radio shows, further developing his comedic timing and improvisational skills. These skills would prove incredibly valuable when he moved to television.

His stage name, Milton Berle, was a shortening of his birth name, Milton Berlinger. This change, common amongst performers, was part of creating a memorable and easily recognizable public persona.

Texaco Star Theater (1948-1955)

Berle's big break came in 1948 when he began hosting Texaco Star Theater on NBC. This wasn't just any television show; it was a phenomenon. Broadcast live every Tuesday night, the show became a cultural touchstone. Millions of families across the country gathered around their television sets each week to watch Berle's high-energy performances. This was a period before recorded television shows; everything was live, meaning there was no chance to make a mistake!

The show's success was partly due to Texaco's sponsorship. Texaco, a major oil company, provided significant funding allowing Berle to create elaborate sets, costumes, and even special effects. These were incredibly advanced for the time, further enhancing the show's appeal.

Texaco Star Theater was groundbreaking for many reasons:

• Live television: The show was completely live, adding an element of excitement and unpredictability.

• Variety: Each week featured a mix of comedy sketches, musical acts, celebrity guests, and even cartoons. This variety kept the show fresh and engaging. He collaborated with a host of talented writers, musicians, and performers, creating a truly dynamic television experience.

• Audience interaction: Berle directly addressed the audience, creating a sense of intimacy and connection.

• Influence: Berle’s comedic style was extremely influential, shaping the style of many comedians who followed him.

• Ratings: The show consistently achieved incredibly high ratings, often exceeding 70% of the viewing audience.

Later Years (1955-1985)

After Texaco Star Theater ended in 1955, Berle continued to work in television and film, though never quite achieving the same level of dominance. However, he remained a prominent figure in entertainment. His work spanned decades, and his unique brand of humor and showmanship left an indelible mark.

He appeared in many films and television shows, demonstrating his versatility and enduring popularity. While his later work might not have had the same widespread viewership as his Texaco Star Theater days, his contributions to the entertainment industry continued.

Death and legacy

Milton Berle passed away on March 28, 1985, leaving behind a legacy that is still celebrated today. He is remembered not just as a great comedian, but as a pioneer who helped shape the very landscape of television entertainment. His contributions to television are monumental, making him a truly significant figure in American entertainment history. His influence can still be seen in many comedy shows today.

Personal life

Milton Berle and Ruth Cosgrove Berle, 1979.

After twice marrying and divorcing showgirl Joyce Mathews, Berle married publicist Ruth Cosgrove in 1953; she died of cancer in 1989.

He married a fourth time in 1992 to Lorna Adams, a fashion designer 30 years his junior. He had three children, Victoria (adopted by Berle and Mathews), William (adopted by Berle and Cosgrove) and a biological son, Bob Williams, with showgirl Junior Standish (née Jean Dunne Arthur; 1925–2006). Berle had two stepdaughters from his marriage to Adams: Leslie and Susan Brown. He also had three grandchildren: Victoria's sons James and Mathew, and William's son Tyler Daniel Roe, who died in 2014.

Crypt of Milton Berle, at Hillside Memorial Park

Honors and awards

• Berle won the Emmy for Most Outstanding Kinescoped Personality in 1950, the same year his show, the Texaco Star Theater, won the Emmy for Best Kinescope Show. He was twice nominated for Emmys for his acting, in 1962 and 1995. In 1979, Berle was awarded a special Emmy Award, titled "Mr. Television."
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame, on February 8, 1960, inducted Berle with two stars, for television and radio.
• Berle was in the first group of inductees into the Television Hall of Fame in 1984.
• On December 5, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver inducted Berle into the California Hall of Fame, located at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.

Broadway

• Earl Carroll's Vanities of 1932 (1932) – revue – in the roles of "Mortimer" in the sketch "Mourning Becomes Impossible", "Joe Miller, Jr." in "What Price Jokes", "Frank" in "Two Sailors", "Paul" in "The Cabinet of Doctor X", the "Announcer" in "Studio W.M.C.A." the "Defendant" in "Trial by Jury" and "Milton" in "The Bar Relief"
• Saluta (1934) – musical – co-lyricist and performer cast in the role of "'Windy' Walker"
• See My Lawyer (1939) – play – performer cast in the role of "Arthur Lee"
• Ziegfeld Follies of 1943 (1943) – revue – performer in the role of "Cecil" in Counter Attack, "J. Pierswift Armour" in The Merchant of Venison, "Perry Johnson" in Loves-A-Poppin, "Escamillio" in Carmen in Zoot, "Charlie Grant" Mr Grant Goes To Washington, "'The Micromaniac' Singer" and "'Hold That Smile' Dancer"
• I'll Take the High Road (1943) – play – co-producer
• Seventeen (1951) – musical – co-producer
• The Goodbye People (1968) – performer cast in the role of "Max Silverman"

Selected filmography

See also

In Spanish: Milton Berle para niños