Bernard Solomon Kotzin (November , â€" December , ), known as Stubby
Kaye, was an American actor, comedian, vaudevillian, and singer, known
for his appearances on Broadway and in film musicals.Kaye originated
the roles of Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Marryin' Sam
in Li'l Abner, introducing two show-stopping numbers of the era: "Sit
Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and "Jubilation T. Cornpone." He
reprised these roles in the movie versions of the two shows. Other
well-known roles include Herman in Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity, Sam the
Shade in Cat Ballou, and Marvin Acme in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.Kaye
was born Bernard Solomon (or Sholom) Kotzin on the last day of the
First World War, at West th Street in the Morningside Heights section
of Manhattan. His parents were first generation Jewish-Americans
originally from Russia and Austria-Hungary. His father, David Kotzin,
was a dress salesman, and the former Harriet "Hattie" Freundlish, was
his mother. He was raised in the Far Rockaway section of Queens and
later in The Bronx, where he acted in student productions at DeWitt
Clinton High School, and where he graduated in .In , he won the Major
Bowes Amateur Hour contest on radio where the prize included touring
in vaudeville, where he was sometimes billed as an "Extra Padded
Attraction." During the Second World War, he joined the USO where he
toured battle fronts and made his London debut performing with Bob
Hope. After the war, he continued to work in vaudeville and as Master
of Ceremonies for the swing orchestras of Freddy Martin and Charlie
Barnet.
Kaye, was an American actor, comedian, vaudevillian, and singer, known
for his appearances on Broadway and in film musicals.Kaye originated
the roles of Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Marryin' Sam
in Li'l Abner, introducing two show-stopping numbers of the era: "Sit
Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and "Jubilation T. Cornpone." He
reprised these roles in the movie versions of the two shows. Other
well-known roles include Herman in Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity, Sam the
Shade in Cat Ballou, and Marvin Acme in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.Kaye
was born Bernard Solomon (or Sholom) Kotzin on the last day of the
First World War, at West th Street in the Morningside Heights section
of Manhattan. His parents were first generation Jewish-Americans
originally from Russia and Austria-Hungary. His father, David Kotzin,
was a dress salesman, and the former Harriet "Hattie" Freundlish, was
his mother. He was raised in the Far Rockaway section of Queens and
later in The Bronx, where he acted in student productions at DeWitt
Clinton High School, and where he graduated in .In , he won the Major
Bowes Amateur Hour contest on radio where the prize included touring
in vaudeville, where he was sometimes billed as an "Extra Padded
Attraction." During the Second World War, he joined the USO where he
toured battle fronts and made his London debut performing with Bob
Hope. After the war, he continued to work in vaudeville and as Master
of Ceremonies for the swing orchestras of Freddy Martin and Charlie
Barnet.
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