Harvey Lembeck (April 15, 1923 â€" January 5, 1982) was an American
comedic actor best remembered for his role as Cpl. Rocco Barbella on
The Phil Silvers Show (a.k.a. Sgt. Bilko, a.k.a. You'll Never Get
Rich) in the late 1950s, and as the stumbling, overconfident
quasi-outlaw biker Eric Von Zipper in beach party films during the
1960s. He also turned in noteworthy performances in both the stage and
screen versions of Stalag 17. He was the father of actor and director
Michael Lembeck and actress Helaine Lembeck.Born in Brooklyn, Lembeck
started his career right out of New Utrecht High School, as a dancer
at the 1939/40 New York World's Fair. He was half of an exhibition
dance team known as The Dancing Carrolls. His partner, Caroline Dubs,
became his wife.The son of a Brooklyn button manufacturer, Lembeck
yearned for a career as a radio sports announcer. Following his
discharge from the United States Army at the end of World War II in
1945, he attended New York University, obtaining a degree in radio
arts in 1947. However, he chose the stage as a career upon the advice
of one of his instructors, Prof. Robert Emerson, who had seen him
perform in college plays.Lembeck was Jewish.
comedic actor best remembered for his role as Cpl. Rocco Barbella on
The Phil Silvers Show (a.k.a. Sgt. Bilko, a.k.a. You'll Never Get
Rich) in the late 1950s, and as the stumbling, overconfident
quasi-outlaw biker Eric Von Zipper in beach party films during the
1960s. He also turned in noteworthy performances in both the stage and
screen versions of Stalag 17. He was the father of actor and director
Michael Lembeck and actress Helaine Lembeck.Born in Brooklyn, Lembeck
started his career right out of New Utrecht High School, as a dancer
at the 1939/40 New York World's Fair. He was half of an exhibition
dance team known as The Dancing Carrolls. His partner, Caroline Dubs,
became his wife.The son of a Brooklyn button manufacturer, Lembeck
yearned for a career as a radio sports announcer. Following his
discharge from the United States Army at the end of World War II in
1945, he attended New York University, obtaining a degree in radio
arts in 1947. However, he chose the stage as a career upon the advice
of one of his instructors, Prof. Robert Emerson, who had seen him
perform in college plays.Lembeck was Jewish.
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