Jack E. Leonard (born Leonard Lebitsky; April 24, 1910 â€" May 10,
1973) was an American comedian and actor who made frequent appearances
on television variety and game shows.Leonard was born Leonard Lebitsky
on April 24, 1910, in Chicago (“You know, the city where kids play
robbers and robbers†), the son of a Jewish tailor. He claimed that
one of his childhood friends was Baby Face Nelson. As a young man, he
worked as a lifeguard (“I swam against Johnny Weissmuller ... and he
was so fast I haven't seen him since†), and first worked
professionally as a dancer, competing in Charleston contests. In the
1930s, he joined a vaudeville troupe, then began touring with the big
bands, playing nightclubs all over the country. During World War II he
toured bases with the United Service Organizations.The Tonight Show,
hosted by Jack Paar, marked his first national exposure. For the next
several years he worked steadily in Las Vegas, and made hundreds of
television appearances on various panel and variety shows. He made
occasional recordings, and appeared in a handful of motion pictures,
such as Three Sailors and a Girl.Leonard's comedic method was
sarcastic and aggressive, creating an "insult humor" genre which
anticipated Don Rickles. (Leonard was roastmaster at the Friars' Club
roast of Rickles, who he introduced as "a man who's been doing my act
for about 12 years now.") A trademark line, after taking off his hat
to reveal his bald head: "What did you expect, feathers?" He also
referenced his weight problem in his act. Leonard's strong and
unapologetic onstage personality ("Good evening, opponents!") belied a
gentle and giving spirit that would occasionally be revealed in his
act when he would sing a sentimental song.
1973) was an American comedian and actor who made frequent appearances
on television variety and game shows.Leonard was born Leonard Lebitsky
on April 24, 1910, in Chicago (“You know, the city where kids play
robbers and robbers†), the son of a Jewish tailor. He claimed that
one of his childhood friends was Baby Face Nelson. As a young man, he
worked as a lifeguard (“I swam against Johnny Weissmuller ... and he
was so fast I haven't seen him since†), and first worked
professionally as a dancer, competing in Charleston contests. In the
1930s, he joined a vaudeville troupe, then began touring with the big
bands, playing nightclubs all over the country. During World War II he
toured bases with the United Service Organizations.The Tonight Show,
hosted by Jack Paar, marked his first national exposure. For the next
several years he worked steadily in Las Vegas, and made hundreds of
television appearances on various panel and variety shows. He made
occasional recordings, and appeared in a handful of motion pictures,
such as Three Sailors and a Girl.Leonard's comedic method was
sarcastic and aggressive, creating an "insult humor" genre which
anticipated Don Rickles. (Leonard was roastmaster at the Friars' Club
roast of Rickles, who he introduced as "a man who's been doing my act
for about 12 years now.") A trademark line, after taking off his hat
to reveal his bald head: "What did you expect, feathers?" He also
referenced his weight problem in his act. Leonard's strong and
unapologetic onstage personality ("Good evening, opponents!") belied a
gentle and giving spirit that would occasionally be revealed in his
act when he would sing a sentimental song.
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