The Unknown Comic facts for kids

Murray Langston (born June 27, 1944) is a Canadian actor and comedian. He is most famous for his stage name, "The Unknown Comic." He often appeared on The Gong Show with a paper bag over his head.

Early Life and Beginnings

Murray Langston was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. When he was 15, he left home to help his family. His parents had disabilities and struggled financially. He lived in Montreal for a while. Later, he moved to the United States by joining the United States Navy. He served during the Vietnam War era.

A Career in Comedy

In 1968, Murray Langston started his career in entertainment. He appeared on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, doing funny impressions. Later, he teamed up with comedian Freeman King. They became regular performers on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

After many appearances with Sonny & Cher, Langston started showing up on other TV shows. These included The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show and The Bobby Vinton Show. He also worked with famous comedians like Redd Foxx and Joan Rivers. He even created funny situations for Candid Camera.

Early in his career, Langston invested in a restaurant called "SHOW-BIZ." Many people who later became famous worked there. These included Michael Keaton and David Letterman. However, the club closed within two years. This used up all of Langston's savings.

The Unknown Comic Appears

Because he needed money, Langston agreed to appear on The Gong Show. He felt a bit embarrassed about being on the show. So, with permission, he put a paper bag over his head. He cut holes for his eyes and mouth. He then performed as "The Unknown Comic." This character was a fast-talking comedian who wore funny clothes. People loved him, and he became very popular.

"The Unknown Comic" appeared on over 150 episodes of The Gong Show. He also served as a judge on other TV shows. He wrote for The Gong Show for a short time. He performed regularly in Las Vegas and on many talk shows. In the early 1980s, Langston finally revealed his true identity. This happened on an episode of Real People. The hosts pulled the bag off his head. He also revealed himself on the game show Bullseye.

Later Work in Entertainment

Langston later produced a show called The Unknown Comedy Hour. He also wrote screenplays for films. These included Night Patrol (1984) and Up Your Alley (1988). He also acted in Night Patrol. In 1987, he co-hosted The NEW Truth or Consequences. He also played "Murray the Technical Director" in the children's TV series E.M.U-TV (1989).

In 2002, he appeared in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He was credited as "Actual Unknown Comic." He also wrote, directed, and acted in ... The Movie.

Personal Life

By the early 1990s, Langston had been divorced twice. He decided to take a break from show business. He wanted to focus on raising his daughters as a single father. His older daughter, Myah Marie, became a singer and songwriter. She wrote many songs and has recorded with pop stars like Britney Spears. His younger daughter, Mary, lived with him on their ranch in California.

Since 2000, Langston has occasionally performed stand-up comedy in Las Vegas. He also wrote a book about his life called Journey Thru The Unknown.... As of 2015, Langston has been living in Bathurst, New Brunswick.