Stubby Kaye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stubby Kaye
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Kaye with Shirley Bonne in 1960
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| Born |
Bernard Shalom Kotzin
November 11, 1918 Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
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| Died | December 14, 1997 (aged 79) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1939–1988 |
| Spouse(s) |
Jeanne Watson
(m. 1960; div. 1961)Angela Bracewell
(m. 1967) |
Bernard Shalom Kotzin (born November 11, 1918 – died December 14, 1997), known as Stubby Kaye, was an American actor, comedian, and singer. He was famous for his roles on Broadway and in movies.
Kaye created the roles of Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Marryin' Sam in Li'l Abner. He sang popular songs like "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and "Jubilation T. Cornpone." He also played these roles in the movie versions of the shows. Other well-known movie roles include Herman in Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity and Marvin Acme in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Stubby Kaye was born Bernard Shalom Kotzin on November 11, 1918. This was the very last day of the First World War. He was born in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York. His parents were Jewish-Americans who came from Russia and Austria-Hungary.
He grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens and later in The Bronx. He loved acting even when he was young. He performed in school plays at DeWitt Clinton High School, where he graduated in 1937.
In 1939, Stubby Kaye won a radio contest called Major Bowes Amateur Hour. The prize was a chance to tour in vaudeville. Vaudeville was a type of live entertainment with many different acts. During World War II, he joined the USO. He traveled to battle zones to entertain soldiers. He even performed in London with the famous comedian Bob Hope. After the war, he continued to work in vaudeville. He also hosted shows for big swing orchestras.
Broadway and Movie Success
Stubby Kaye was known for his amazing performances on Broadway. He introduced three very popular songs in musicals. These were "Fugue for Tinhorns" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" from Guys and Dolls (1950). He also sang "Jubilation T. Cornpone" from Li'l Abner (1956).
He is best remembered for playing Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls. He played this role first on Broadway and then in the movie version. He also played Marryin' Sam in Li'l Abner on both stage and screen. In 1962, he played the main character in the movie The Cool Mikado.
Television Appearances
In the mid-1950s, Stubby Kaye appeared on TV shows. He was a guest star on The Martha Raye Show. In 1958, he was on The Gisele MacKenzie Show. He also appeared on The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. From 1959 to 1960, he co-starred in the TV show Love and Marriage.
From 1960 to 1961, Kaye played Marty in the TV show My Sister Eileen. Marty was the agent for an aspiring actress. In the 1960s, he hosted a children's talent show called Stubby's Silver Star Show. He was also a regular on Stump the Stars from 1962 to 1963. In 1963, he guest-starred in the comedy series Ensign O'Toole. From 1964 to 1965, he hosted the children's game show Shenanigans on ABC.
Later Roles and Final Work
Stubby Kaye continued to act in movies. He appeared with Nat King Cole in the western comedy Cat Ballou (1965). He played Herman in the musical film Sweet Charity (1969), directed by Bob Fosse. In that movie, he sang "I Love to Cry at Weddings."
His later stage roles included a Broadway revival of Good News in 1974. He also performed in Man of Magic in London. His last Broadway show was Grind in 1985. He made a guest appearance in the British TV series Doctor Who in 1987. His last movie role was as Marvin Acme in the popular film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
Personal Life
Stubby Kaye was married twice. His first wife was Jeanne Watson. They married in 1960 but divorced about a year later.
His second wife was Angela Bracewell. She was a dancer he met in Britain. She also hosted the British version of the Beat the Clock game show. They stayed married until his death.
Stubby Kaye passed away on December 14, 1997, at the age of 79. He died from lung cancer.
Partial filmography
- Taxi (1953) - Morris (uncredited)
- Guys and Dolls (1955) - Nicely-Nicely Johnson
- The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956) - Howard Sloan (scenes deleted)
- You Can't Run Away from It (1956) - Fred Toten
- Li'l Abner (1959) - Marryin' Sam
- 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) - Cranston
- The Cool Mikado (1963) - Judge Herbert Mikado / Charlie Hotfleisch
- Cat Ballou (1965) - Shouter / Sam the Shade
- The Way West (1967) - Sam Fairman
- Sweet Charity (1969) - Herman
- Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969) - Fat Writer
- The Monitors (1969) - Man in Monitors Commercial
- The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (1970) - Bartender
- Cool It Carol! (1970) - Rod Strangeways
- Six Pack Annie (1975) - Mr. Bates
- Timber Tramps (1975)
- Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood (1981, TV movie) - Babe
- Ellis Island (1984) (TV Miniseries) - Abe Shulman
- Doctor Who (Delta and the Bannermen, 1987) - Weismuller
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988, final film) - Marvin Acme
See also
In Spanish: Stubby Kaye para niños
