Red Buttons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Red Buttons
Buttons in 1959
Born	Aaron Chwatt (1919-02-05)February 5, 1919 New York City, U.S.
Died	July 13, 2006(2006-07-13) (aged 87) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor comedian
Years active	1935–2006
Spouse(s)	Roxanne Arlen ​ ​ (m. 1947; div. 1949)​ Helayne McNorton ​ ​ (m. 1949; div. 1963)​ Alicia Prats ​ ​ (m. 1964; died 2001)​
Children	2

Red Buttons (born Aaron Chwatt; February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was a famous American actor and comedian. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role in the 1957 movie Sayonara. He was also nominated for awards for his work in films like They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Harlow, and Pete's Dragon. Red Buttons played Private John Steele, a paratrooper who got stuck on a town clock, in the 1962 movie The Longest Day.

Early Life and His Famous Name

Red Buttons was born Aaron Chwatt on February 5, 1919, in Manhattan, New York City. His parents, Sophie and Michael Chwatt, were immigrants.

When he was 16, Aaron worked as a bellhop (someone who carries luggage) at Ryan's Tavern in City Island, New York City. He had red hair, and his bellhop uniform had big, shiny buttons. An orchestra leader named Charles "Dinty" Moore started calling him "Red Buttons." This nickname stuck, and he later used it as his stage name.

Later that summer, Buttons worked in the Borscht Belt, a popular area for comedians and performers. In 1939, he started working for Minsky's Burlesque, a type of comedy show. In 1941, he was chosen for a Broadway show called The Admiral Had a Wife. This play was supposed to open on December 8, 1941, but it never did. It was considered inappropriate after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor happened the day before. Buttons often joked that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor just to keep him off Broadway!

A Career in Entertainment

In September 1942, Buttons made his official Broadway debut in a show called Vickie. Later that year, he was in Wine, Women and Song, which was the last classic burlesque show in New York City. The mayor closed it down while Buttons was performing on stage!

Buttons as Henry Phyfe

In 1943, Buttons joined the United States Army Air Forces. He appeared in the Army Air Forces' Broadway show Winged Victory. Many future stars were also in this show, like Mario Lanza and Karl Malden. A year later, he was in the movie version of the play. Buttons also entertained soldiers in Europe during World War II with a special "Jeep Show" unit.

After the war, Buttons continued to perform on Broadway. In 1952, he got his own TV show, The Red Buttons Show, which was very popular for three years on CBS.

Winning an Oscar

Red Buttons' role in the 1957 movie Sayonara was very different from his usual comedy. In this film, he acted alongside Marlon Brando. Buttons played Joe Kelly, an American airman in Japan during the Korean War. Joe falls in love with a Japanese woman named Katsumi (played by Miyoshi Umeki). However, he is not allowed to bring her back to the U.S. His performance was very moving and impressed everyone. Buttons won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role, and Miyoshi Umeki won Best Supporting Actress.

After winning his Oscar, Buttons appeared in many more movies. These included the adventure film Hatari! with John Wayne, the war movie The Longest Day, and the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure. He also starred in the family comedy Pete's Dragon (1977) and the comedy 18 Again! with George Burns.

In 1966, Buttons had another TV series called The Double Life of Henry Phyfe, which was a spy comedy. He also made guest appearances on many TV shows, such as Little House on the Prairie and Roseanne. His last TV role was in the show ER.

Buttons in 1978

Buttons became a well-known comedian. His comedy routine called "Never Got a Dinner" was a favorite on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast for many years. He would list famous people who had never been honored with a special dinner. Another one of his famous sayings was "I did not come here to be made sport of."

Red Buttons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. He was also ranked number 71 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.

Personal Life

Red Buttons was married three times. His first marriage was to Roxanne Arlen in 1947, but it ended quickly. He then married Helayne McNorton in 1949, and they divorced in 1963. His last marriage was to Alicia Prats in 1964. They were married until her death in 2001. Red Buttons and Alicia had two children, Amy and Adam.

Death

Red Buttons passed away on July 13, 2006, at the age of 87. He died from heart problems at his home in Century City, Los Angeles. He had been sick for some time and was with his family when he died.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Awards and Honors

Red Buttons won many awards and was recognized for his acting and comedy.

Images for kids

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  Buttons as Henry Phyfe

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  Buttons in 1978

See also

In Spanish: Red Buttons para niños