Jan Murray (born Murray Janofsky; October 4, 1916 â€" July 2, 2006)
was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and game show host who
originally made his name on the Borscht Belt and later was known for
his frequent television appearances over several decades.Murray was
born in the Bronx borough of New York City to Jewish parents. His
interest in comedy began during his childhood, when he would often act
out comedy routines he'd seen at the local theatre for his bedridden
mother.Murray began performing on the vaudeville stage at the age of
18. During the 1930s, he entertained at the "Borscht Belt" Catskills
resorts popular with Jewish vacationers. In the 1940s and early 1950s,
he became a Las Vegas marquee performer, including headlining at the
Flamingo Hotel during its first year of operation.Starting in the late
1940s, Murray moved into television, appearing several times on Texaco
Star Theater hosted by Milton Berle, and later as a guest on comedy/
variety programs hosted by Jerry Lewis, Steve Allen, Garry Moore, Dean
Martin, and Jackie Gleason, among others. During the 1950s and 1960s,
he made numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show
(including several as guest host), and The Joey Bishop Show (including
several as guest host). He co-hosted the annual West Coast Chabad
Lubavitch telethon for eighteen years.
was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and game show host who
originally made his name on the Borscht Belt and later was known for
his frequent television appearances over several decades.Murray was
born in the Bronx borough of New York City to Jewish parents. His
interest in comedy began during his childhood, when he would often act
out comedy routines he'd seen at the local theatre for his bedridden
mother.Murray began performing on the vaudeville stage at the age of
18. During the 1930s, he entertained at the "Borscht Belt" Catskills
resorts popular with Jewish vacationers. In the 1940s and early 1950s,
he became a Las Vegas marquee performer, including headlining at the
Flamingo Hotel during its first year of operation.Starting in the late
1940s, Murray moved into television, appearing several times on Texaco
Star Theater hosted by Milton Berle, and later as a guest on comedy/
variety programs hosted by Jerry Lewis, Steve Allen, Garry Moore, Dean
Martin, and Jackie Gleason, among others. During the 1950s and 1960s,
he made numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show
(including several as guest host), and The Joey Bishop Show (including
several as guest host). He co-hosted the annual West Coast Chabad
Lubavitch telethon for eighteen years.
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