“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Rabbi Comic…
Manny P. here… 
“`Stand-up comedian Jackie Mason followed a path from ordained rabbi to borscht-belt comic in a career that lasted over sixty years. He shared tales from his orthodox Jewish background using a thick Yiddish accent to keep audiences entertained. The controversial comic gained national attention for a quick-witted observational humor and it led to television appearances and several successful one-man Broadway shows.
“`Mason turned to comedy full-time after his dad died in the late 1950s. He landed a career-changing booking as a performer on Steve Allen’s weekly television variety show in 1961. He also appeared on programs hosted by Gary Moore, Perry Como and Dean Martin. There were setback along the way; a rift with Ed Sullivan, which ended up in court. Mason won the case, but his career came to a halt after the decision.
“`Over the years, he did plenty of club appearances and television guest spots. By the early 1980s, Mason opened his one-man comedy show, The World According to Me, in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The show became such a huge success that it ended up on Broadway. In 1987, He received a Tony Award for his efforts and won an Emmy in 1988 after a shortened version of the show aired on HBO.
“`In cinema, Mason co-starred in The Jerk, History of the World Part 1 and Caddyshack II. On television, he had a recurring role on The Simpsons. He also ranked #63 in Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.
“`The ever-contentious Jackie Mason (above right) was ninety-three.
Until next time> “never forget”
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