Friday, January 28, 2011

Charlie Callas, R. I. P.

R.I.P. comedian Charlie Callas | TV | Newswire | The A.V. Club: "Charlie Callas, comedian and rubber-faced regular in many of Mel Brooks’ films, has died of natural causes. He was 83.

Callas began his career as a big band drummer working with the likes of Tommy Dorsey and Buddy Rich, then brought that naturally loose-limbed physicality to a stand-up career based on Callas' knack for zany expressions, sound effects, and rapid-fire patter. In addition to touring with Frank Sinatra, Callas was a constant presence on seemingly every variety and talk show of the ‘50s and ’60s, from Ed Sullivan’s to Jackie Gleason’s to Flip Wilson's, and appeared regularly on The Andy Williams Show in the superhero parody “Captain Weird.”"

2 comments:

RJR said...

Was also a regular on Robert Wagner and Eddie Albert's SWITCH.

RJR

Deb said...

I don't think that someone who had bit parts in "High Anxiety" and "Dracula: Dead & Loving It" could be termed a Mel Brooks "regular."

Still, R.I.P.