Lenny Schultz (born December 13, 1933) is an American retired comedian
who performed during the 1970s on television and at comedy clubs in
New York City. His madcap style of improvisational comedy influenced
other comedians such as Gallagher, Carrot Top, and David
Letterman.Born in The Bronx, he began making other children laugh at
age eight by imitating chickens, making sound effects, and doing
voices. Originally hoping for a career as a Major League Baseball
pitcher, at 18 Schultz was offered a contract by a New York
Yankee-owned minor league team. A shoulder injury compelled him to
turn down the contract and ended his athletic career.Instead he went
to college, earning a bachelor of science degree from New York
University and a master of science degree in Education from Hunter
College. After serving in the United States Army in Special Services,
he became a high school gym teacher in 1955, teaching at such New York
City schools as John Adams High School and Newtown High School. As a
teacher, he was appreciated by his students and fellow teachers for
his sense of humor, but ignored their encouragement to take up
stand-up comedy. When friends convinced him to write a few minutes of
an act, he debuted at open mic night at The Improv comedy club in New
York in 1969 and quickly gained a popular following.
who performed during the 1970s on television and at comedy clubs in
New York City. His madcap style of improvisational comedy influenced
other comedians such as Gallagher, Carrot Top, and David
Letterman.Born in The Bronx, he began making other children laugh at
age eight by imitating chickens, making sound effects, and doing
voices. Originally hoping for a career as a Major League Baseball
pitcher, at 18 Schultz was offered a contract by a New York
Yankee-owned minor league team. A shoulder injury compelled him to
turn down the contract and ended his athletic career.Instead he went
to college, earning a bachelor of science degree from New York
University and a master of science degree in Education from Hunter
College. After serving in the United States Army in Special Services,
he became a high school gym teacher in 1955, teaching at such New York
City schools as John Adams High School and Newtown High School. As a
teacher, he was appreciated by his students and fellow teachers for
his sense of humor, but ignored their encouragement to take up
stand-up comedy. When friends convinced him to write a few minutes of
an act, he debuted at open mic night at The Improv comedy club in New
York in 1969 and quickly gained a popular following.
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