Robert Klein (born February , ) is an American stand-up comedian,
singer, and actor. He had several comedy albums in the s, was
nominated for a Best Actor in a Musical Tony Award for They're Playing
Our Song (), and has made a variety of TV and movie appearances,
including hosting Saturday Night Live twice.[citation needed]Klein was
born in the Bronx, the son of Frieda (née Moskowitz) and Benjamin
Klein, and was raised in a "prototypical s Bronx Jewish" environment,
the grandson of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants who arrived in the USA
early in the th century.After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High
School, Klein had planned to study medicine; however, he changed his
mind during his studies at Alfred University, deciding to go into
acting instead.While studying at the Yale Drama School, Klein learned
about an opportunity to audition for The Second City. In a piece he
wrote for the improvisational troupe's book, Klein recalled sitting in
a room full of other hopefuls, including Fred Willard. Klein's
audition consisted of an improvisation set with Willard about two guys
in a nightclub, which was successful enough to get Klein and Willard
hired by Second City. In the spring of , Klein was chosen as a member
of Second City. When he returned to New York City a year later, he was
cast by Mike Nichols in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree.[citation
needed]
singer, and actor. He had several comedy albums in the s, was
nominated for a Best Actor in a Musical Tony Award for They're Playing
Our Song (), and has made a variety of TV and movie appearances,
including hosting Saturday Night Live twice.[citation needed]Klein was
born in the Bronx, the son of Frieda (née Moskowitz) and Benjamin
Klein, and was raised in a "prototypical s Bronx Jewish" environment,
the grandson of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants who arrived in the USA
early in the th century.After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High
School, Klein had planned to study medicine; however, he changed his
mind during his studies at Alfred University, deciding to go into
acting instead.While studying at the Yale Drama School, Klein learned
about an opportunity to audition for The Second City. In a piece he
wrote for the improvisational troupe's book, Klein recalled sitting in
a room full of other hopefuls, including Fred Willard. Klein's
audition consisted of an improvisation set with Willard about two guys
in a nightclub, which was successful enough to get Klein and Willard
hired by Second City. In the spring of , Klein was chosen as a member
of Second City. When he returned to New York City a year later, he was
cast by Mike Nichols in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree.[citation
needed]
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