Pat Paulsen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pat Paulsen
Paulsen in 1970
Born	Patrick Layton Paulsen (1927-07-06)July 6, 1927 South Bend, Washington, U.S.
Died	April 25, 1997(1997-04-25) (aged 69) Tijuana, Mexico
Occupation	Comedian and satirist
Spouse(s)	Betty Jane Cox ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1988)​ Linda Chaney ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 1989)​ Noma Littell ​ (m. 1990)​

Patrick Layton Paulsen (born July 6, 1927 – died April 25, 1997) was a funny American comedian. He was also a satirist, which means he used humor to make fun of serious topics. Pat Paulsen was famous for his roles on TV shows like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He was also well-known for pretending to run for President of the United States from 1968 to 1996. These campaigns were all for fun and to make people laugh.

Early Life and School

Pat Paulsen was born on July 6, 1927. His hometown was South Bend, Washington, a small fishing town. His dad, Norman Inge Paulsen, worked for the United States Coast Guard. When Pat was 10, his family moved to California. He finished high school in Mill Valley in May 1945.

After high school, Paulsen joined the Marine Corps. This was during World War II, but the war ended before he went overseas. He did guard Japanese soldiers who were returning home. When he came back, he worked many different jobs. He was a truck driver and even a salesman. Later, he studied at San Francisco City College. He also joined an acting group and started a comedy trio with his brother.

Comedy Career

Pat Paulsen in 1965

Pat Paulsen became a solo comedian. He played a funny guitarist in clubs on the West Coast and in New York City. He met the Smothers Brothers in San Francisco. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour started in 1967. Paulsen said he got hired because he sold them cheap songs. He also ran errands for them.

At first, he gave funny comments on the news. His calm, serious way of talking made him very famous. He won an Emmy Award in 1968 for his work on the show.

Paulsen appeared on many other TV shows. He was on The Monkees and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He also appeared on The Wild Wild West in 1968. In 1969, he was on Sesame Street in funny skits. He even had his own show called Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour in 1970. Famous guests like former Vice President Hubert Humphrey appeared on his show.

In 1971, Paulsen acted in a play called Play It Again, Sam. He liked acting in summer theater so much that he bought a theater in 1976. It was called Cherry County Playhouse. He acted in a play there every summer until 1995. He starred in 24 different plays, like The Fantasticks and The Odd Couple. He also performed in clubs and at events all over the country. In 1984, he was in the movie Night Patrol.

Funny Political Campaigns

Pat Paulsen became famous for his fake presidential campaigns. These started in 1968. The idea came from the Smothers Brothers show. His campaigns were full of jokes and funny comments. He would use obvious lies and confusing talk. He made fun of the real candidates.

When people criticized him, he would always say, "Picky, picky, picky." Some of his funny slogans were:

• "Just a common, ordinary, simple savior of America's destiny."
• "We’ve upped our standards, now up yours."
• "United we sit."

He gave the same funny answer to almost every question. He would say he couldn't quite understand the "heart of the issue." When he announced his fake campaign, he joked, "Will I solve our economic problems? Will I ease the causes of racial tension? Will I bring a peaceful end to Vietnam? Sure, why not?"

Paulsen's name even appeared on the ballot in New Hampshire for the Democratic primary. In 1996, he got 921 votes. This was more than some real politicians! In 1992, he came in second to George Bush in the North Dakota Republican primary. He received over 10,000 votes in the 1992 Republican Party primaries.

Winemaking

In 1971, Pat Paulsen and his wife started Pat Paulsen Vineyards. This was a place where they grew grapes and made wine. It was in Sonoma County, California. After Clint Eastwood became mayor of Carmel, California, Paulsen joked that he was the "mayor" of Asti. Asti was a small town near his vineyard. He just made up this job for fun.

Later Life and Passing

In the 1980s, Pat Paulsen met Linda Chaney. They got married in 1988. However, they divorced after only 40 days.

In 1995, Paulsen was diagnosed with colon cancer. In 1997, doctors found the cancer had spread. He went to Tijuana, Mexico, for treatment. He passed away there on April 25, 1997. He was remembered as a comedian who made people laugh by making fun of politics. Tom Smothers said, "Whenever I’d walk around with him, people would yell, 'Hey, Mr. President.' We miss him."

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

• Pat Paulsen for President (1968)
• Live at the Ice House (1970)
• Unzipped (1998)

See also

• List of notable brain tumor patients