Robert Klein facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Klein
Klein in 2010
Born	(1942-02-08) February 8, 1942 (age 83) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, television, film, theatre
Education	Alfred University (BA) Yale University (MFA)
Years active	1965–present
Genres	Observational comedy, improvisational comedy, satire/Political satire, musical comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, American politics
Spouse	Brenda Boozer ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1989)​
Children	1

Robert Klein (born February 8, 1942) is an American stand-up comedian, singer, and actor. He is famous for his work on stage and on screen. Klein has released four comedy albums, including A Child of the 50s (1973) and Mind Over Matter (1974). Both of these albums were nominated for a Grammy Award.

Klein was one of the first hosts of the popular TV show Saturday Night Live in 1975. He also acted on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award for the musical They're Playing Our Song (1979).

He has appeared in many movies, such as The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), One Fine Day (1996), Two Weeks Notice (2002), and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003). He also had recurring roles in TV shows like Law & Order: SVU and Will & Grace.

Early Life and Education

Robert Klein was born in the Bronx, a part of New York City. His parents were Frieda and Benjamin Klein. He grew up in a Jewish family and has an older sister named Rhoda.

After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School, Klein planned to study medicine at Alfred University. However, he changed his mind and decided to become an actor instead. He went on to study at the famous Yale Drama School.

While at Yale, Klein auditioned for a famous comedy group called The Second City. His audition was a success, and he was hired in 1965. A year later, he returned to New York City and was cast in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree.

Career Highlights

Stand-Up Comedy and Television

Klein became well-known in the 1970s. His comedy often talked about current events, like the Watergate scandal, a major political event in the U.S. In 1975, he starred in the very first stand-up comedy special on the TV channel HBO. He has appeared in many more specials for HBO since then.

He hosted Saturday Night Live twice in its early years, once in 1975 and again in 1978. He also had his own late-night talk show called Robert Klein Time from 1986 to 1988.

Comedy Albums

Klein has released four comedy albums. His first album, A Child of the Fifties (1973), talked about his childhood. He joked about things like school air raid drills and popular music from that time.

His second album, Mind Over Matter (1974), included jokes about the Watergate scandal. His next album was New Teeth (1975). In 1990, he released the album Let's Not Make ....

Acting in Movies and TV Shows

Klein has acted in many movies throughout his career. Some of his film roles include Hooper (1978), The Last Unicorn (1982), Primary Colors (1998), and Reign Over Me (2007).

He has also been a guest star on many TV shows. These include Family Ties, The King of Queens, and The Good Wife. He played the father of the main character in the crime show The Mysteries of Laura. He also played Grace Adler's father in the new version of Will & Grace.

Personal Life

Klein was married to opera singer Brenda Boozer. They have one son named Alexander, who also performs stand-up comedy.

Influence on Comedy

Robert Klein has inspired many other famous comedians. Jerry Seinfeld once said that Klein was like "The Beatles of comedy" to him. Other comedians like Bill Maher, Billy Crystal, and Jay Leno have also said that Klein was a major influence on their work.

Selected Works

Film

Television

Theatre

See also

In Spanish: Robert Klein (comediante) para niños