Archive for Comedians

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Bob Hope

Posted in Mission San Fernando Rey de España with tags , , on October 26, 2026 by Cade

May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003

One of the most recognizable and popular entertainers of the 20th Century, Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope literally did it all. Born in England, Hope’s family immigrated to the United States when he was four years old. As a young man, he had a wide range of interests, including boxing and dance. While he dabbled in a career in the former, it was the latter – along with comedy – that really took hold.

Finding gigs with his partner, George Byrne, led to solo stints in Vaudeville and, eventually, on Broadway. He started going by “Bob”, moved to radio. Radio led to television. Television led to movies. Movies led to the world.

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Alice Faye and Phil Harris

Posted in Forest Lawn Cathedral City with tags , , , , , on October 19, 2026 by Cade

May 05, 1915 – May 09, 1998
June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995

Celebrity couples take note. This is how you do it.

Alice Faye was a singer and actor who was one of the top box office draws throughout the 1930s and ’40s. Working under contract for 20th Century Fox (and its head, Darryl Zanuck), Faye made over 30 movies during her early career including hits like In Old Chicago, Alexander’s Ragtime Band and The Gang’s All Here. Her most famous song, “You’ll Never Know” from the 1943 movie Hello, Frisco. Hello won an Academy Award and remained her signature for year.

Phil Harris started his career in show business playing in a number of swing orchestras in California, including several that he founded. He was known for his distinct baritone singing voice and comic timing. He appeared in dozens of movies and television shows over his decades-long career. In 1950, he recorded the hit novelty song “The Thing”. Harris also did extensive voice acting work including iconic roles in classic Disney films like The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and Robin Hood. His version of “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book remains a fan favorite to this day.

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Groucho Marx

Posted in Eden Memorial Park with tags , , , on October 5, 2026 by Cade

October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977

Widely considered one of the sharpest wits in American comedy history, Groucho Marx was as known for his zings and punchlines as he was for his distinctive appearance.

As the middle of 5 boys growing up on the upper east side of Manhattan around the turn of the 20th century, Julius Henry Marx wanted to be a doctor. The only thing that stood in the way of that goal was an abject lack of money, talented siblings, a famous Vaudevillian uncle and mother with dreams. All the boys were talented, but Julius could sing like an angel. By the time he was 15, he was on tour singing with the Gene Leroy Trio. By 19, his mom had he and his brothers Arthur (Harpo) and Milton (Gummo) singing in vaudeville houses throughout the northeast. Billed as “The Four Nightingales”, they ended up moving to the Midwest, where the boys started riffing on stage when shows didn’t go well. They soon found out two things: 1) They were better at being funny than singing. And 2) Audiences LOVED it.

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Dom DeLuise

Posted in Calvary Cemetery (NY) with tags , , on July 13, 2026 by Cade

August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009

“I’m actually a thin serious person but I play fat and funny, but only for the movies.” – Dom DeLuise

Actor.
Comedian.
Author.
Musician.
Chef.

In the 1970s and ’80s, you could not look anywhere without encountering the brilliance of Dom DeLuise. Whether he was stealing scenes in classic Mel Brooks’ movies (History of the World Part I, Silent Movie, Spaceballs), buddying up on the open road with real-life pal and frequent co-star, Burt Reynolds (Cannonball Run I & II, Smokey and the Bandit II) or appearing on stage at the Metropolitan Opera, DeLuise was everywhere.

And absolutely no one complained.

Dominick DeLuise was born in Brooklyn and immediately sought a life in show business. After graduating from a performing arts high school and by way of college/regional theater in Massachusetts, he started finding work back in New York. He appeared in a number of Off-Broadway and Broadway shows and eventually made his way onto television. He appeared in a season 2 episode of The Munsters and was featured on The Dean Martin Show, where he became a crowd (and host) favorite. This led to his own, short-lived eponymous variety show…and so much more.

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Grandpa Jones

Posted in Luton's United Methodist Church Cemetery with tags , , , on August 5, 2024 by Cade

October 20, 1913 – February 19, 1998

Banjo player and country music icon, Louis Jones, earned the nickname “Grandpa” at the unlikely age of 22 when he was performing on early-morning radio shows in Boston. A guitar player and singer, the young Jones had made his way to Massachusetts by way of his home in Kentucky and a stint in Ohio. His pre-dawn grumpiness led to the nickname…which Jones not only accepted, but made his entire on-stage persona going forward.

Grandpa Jones delighted audiences for nearly 7 decades with his rousing banjo playing, old-timey ballads and affable stage presence. He mastered the banjo and became a popular performer. Early in his career, he bounced from town to town playing live radio shows. He briefly served in the U.S. Army during World War II and, in his mid 30s, he found his way to Nashville. Continue reading →

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Bernie Mac

Posted in Washington Memory Gardens with tags , , on September 20, 2021 by Cade

October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008

Bernie Mac was a comedian and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s and was a staple in American movies and television throughout the 2000s. Bernard McCullough was born in Chicago and grew up idolizing comedians like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. He began his stand-up career in the Cotton Club in his hometown and immediately starting getting noticed for his fearless performances. In 1990, he won a comedy contest that led to an appearance on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and by the mid-90s, he was appearing in movies like House Party 3 and Friday. In 2000, he was featured alongside Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley in Spike Lee’s massive hit, The Original Kings of Comedy. Continue reading →

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Minnie Pearl

Posted in Mt. Hope Cemetery (TN) with tags , , , on November 16, 2020 by Cade

October 25, 1912 – March 4, 1996

All together now: “How-DEEE!”

The stage of the Grand Ole Opry is hallowed ground. Whether it was the historic stage of the famed Ryman Auditorium, or the newfangled stage at the modern Opry House, setting foot upon it can be life-changing for anyone with the fortune to do so. It transforms performers. None more literally than a young comedienne named Sarah Colley, who stepped onto the Opry stage and became…Minnie Pearl.

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Dudley Moore

Posted in Hillside Cemetery (Scotch Plains) with tags , , , on October 26, 2020 by Cade

moored1April 19, 1935 – March 27, 2002

What Dudley Moore lacked in stature, he more than made up for in talent. The diminutive English actor/comedian was also a brilliant musician who learned to play organ and piano at a young age. His musical ability led to scholarships and eventually to Oxford, where he fell in love with jazz…and comedy.

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George Jessel

Posted in Hillside Memorial Park with tags , , on March 11, 2019 by Cade

April 3, 1898 – May 23, 1981

Known as the “Toastmaster General,” vaudevillian funnyman, George Jessel, took his stage act to Hollywood in the 1920s. Over the course of his 60 year career, he appeared in radio, film and television in addition to recording songs and producing dozens of movies. His affable wit made him a popular emcee and he hosted a number of banquets and roasts for organizations like the Friars Club and the U.S.O. In 1925, he starred in the Broadway stage version of The Jazz Singer and caught the eye of Warner Bros. execs who decided to produce it as the first ever “talking” film. Jessel apparently demanded too much money to be in the movie and the role eventually and famously went to Al Jolson. Continue reading →

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Jan Murray

Posted in Hillside Memorial Park with tags , on December 3, 2018 by Cade

October 4, 1916 – July 2, 2006

Stand-up comedian-turned-actor, Jan Murray, got his start on vaudeville stages and broke out playing the “Borscht Belt” resorts in upstate New York. He went on to headline in Las Vegas and eventually found his way to California and onto television where he guest hosted or hosted, respectively, a number of variety and game shows. He worked with legends like Milton Berle, Joey Bishop and Steve Allen. He loved golf. And he made appearances on dozens of TV shows over the span of more than 30 years. He retired from performing in 2000 – citing struggles with asthma – and died six years later in Beverly Hills. Continue reading →

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