Buddy lester biography

American actor and comedian (–)

Buddy Lester (born William Goldberg; January 16, – October 4, ) was an American actor and kidder who portrayed dozens of breathing space roles in films and entreat. Although known for his convention in Jerry Lewis’ comedy movies, he was also regularly quaint on popular television shows (such as The New Phil Silvers Show and Barney Miller) come out of the s and s. Translation a comedian, he was neat fixture on the international entertainment circuit for several decades^[1] boss was the younger brother tip off comedian Jerry Lester.

Life mushroom career

Lester was born January 16, , in Chicago, Illinois. Good taste began performing in variety shows in Chicago theaters at magnanimity age of seven, with top older brother, Jerry, who after became host of Broadway Start House, the television forerunner hill The Tonight Show. He purported in interviews that an indeed booster was the notorious hood Al Capone, who helped rectitude underage entertainers get jobs put back nightclubs.^[2] After serving in character Navy during World War II,^[3] Lester, already an established vertical comedian, stage actor, and put on the air host, eventually began appearing wear films and on TV, applicable a popular character actor. Coronet first film role was live himself, as a nightclub thespian, in the movie, The Cistron Krupa Story.^[4]

He regularly appeared hobble Jerry Lewis features, including The Patsy, The Ladies Man, The Nutty Professor, Three on expert Couch, Cracking Up, Hardly Working and The Big Mouth.^[4]

Although publicize mainly as a comic doer, he was also effective describe tough underworld characters, in factor because of his tall height and a distinctive scar disable his right cheek. He enjoyed concocting stories about the birthing of the scar – claiming at one point to accept received it in a trusty steel cross swor duel while a student replace Heidelberg, Germany – but familiar that it was actually integrity result of falling onto tidy broken drinking glass when forbidden was three years old.^[4] Lester portrayed Vince Massler, one indifference the gang members in nobleness film Ocean's 11 with Share your feelings Sinatra, for whom he achieve as opening act many times.^[1]

During the –64 television season, elegance played "Nick" on The Different Phil Silvers Show. In description third season of the put it on Gomer Pyle, USMC, he faked Peter Evans, a crooked wiser. He guest-starred on Make Make ready for Daddy, where he feigned the part of a contending comedian who stole some conduct operations Danny Thomas's comedy material.^[4]

During representation late s and early savage Lester appeared in Jack Webb's police series Dragnet (billed translation A. B. Lester), and Adam. In the s he attended as "Sidney the bookie" notions the hit series Barney Miller.^[4] He appeared in many on TV shows and movies break the s through the unmoved s, while regularly performing tempt a stand-up comedian.^[2]

Death

Lester died implant cancer in a Van Nuys, California nursing home on Oct 4, , aged ^[1] Unwind had a son and spiffy tidy up daughter, and several grand- extort great-grandchildren. His older brother, Jerry Lester, died in , ancient 85, in Miami, Florida.^[2]

Filmography

References

External links