Hollywood Squares Regular Jan Murray Dies At 89 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-03-2006, 04:53 PM

LOS ANGELES - Jan Murray, one of the fabled generation of comics who rose from the Catskills to prime time TV, tickling fans of the 1950s game show "Treasure Hunt," has died. He was 89.

Murray, who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, died Sunday at his home in Beverly Hills, son Howard Murray said in a telephone interview Monday.

"Treasure Hunt" ran from 1956 to 1959 in both daytime and prime time versions, first on ABC and later on NBC. The contestant who won a quiz got to pick among treasure chests, which contained anything "from a head of cabbage to a check for a large sum of money," according to the book "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows."

Born Murray Janofsky on Oct. 4, 1916, in New York, Murray honed his craft by watching vaudeville shows and performing at Catskills resorts that catered to the crowds of Jewish vacationers.

As a resort's resident "tummler," he was expected to entertain guests all day, not just on the stage at night, he told The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles in 2002.

"In the morning, the fat ladies in the exercise room," Murray said. "I'd pass by and do shtick." But it wasn't tiring, he insisted.

"Until I was 80, I wasn't exhausted," he said. "Theres no medicine like being on stage hearing people laugh."

Among the other veterans of that vanished show business training ground were Mel Brooks, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar and the late Buddy Hackett.

Murray went on to host a string of game shows in the 1950s, including "Dollar a Second," before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Among the movies he appeared in were "The Busy Body," "Who Killed Teddy Bear" and, in a small role, Brooks' "History of the World Part I."

He also served as a guest host on "The Tonight Show" and did many guest shots in 1960s and '70s TV series, including "Love, American Style," "The Name of the Game" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."

Murray, who retired 10 years ago, balanced his work with a rich family life, his son said.

"He was a person who fully loved his life and wanted to continue as long as he could," his son said.

In addition to son Howard, Murray is survived by his wife, Toni; son Warren; daughters, Diane and Celia; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

snl 70s show fan · 07-03-2006, 06:53 PM

he was one of my all time faves and about the last of the old castskill borstch belt comics he will be missed

Zoneboy · 07-03-2006, 07:01 PM

I remember him mainly from Hollywood Squares but he was also in one of my favorite movies called Day of the Wolves.

howilu · 07-04-2006, 12:00 AM

He also hosted the short-lived game show Chain Letter, which ran from July to October 1966.

07-03-2006, 04:53 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,344	Hollywood Squares Regular Jan Murray Dies At 89 LOS ANGELES - Jan Murray, one of the fabled generation of comics who rose from the Catskills to prime time TV, tickling fans of the 1950s game show "Treasure Hunt," has died. He was 89. Murray, who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, died Sunday at his home in Beverly Hills, son Howard Murray said in a telephone interview Monday. "Treasure Hunt" ran from 1956 to 1959 in both daytime and prime time versions, first on ABC and later on NBC. The contestant who won a quiz got to pick among treasure chests, which contained anything "from a head of cabbage to a check for a large sum of money," according to the book "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows." Born Murray Janofsky on Oct. 4, 1916, in New York, Murray honed his craft by watching vaudeville shows and performing at Catskills resorts that catered to the crowds of Jewish vacationers. As a resort's resident "tummler," he was expected to entertain guests all day, not just on the stage at night, he told The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles in 2002. "In the morning, the fat ladies in the exercise room," Murray said. "I'd pass by and do shtick." But it wasn't tiring, he insisted. "Until I was 80, I wasn't exhausted," he said. "Theres no medicine like being on stage hearing people laugh." Among the other veterans of that vanished show business training ground were Mel Brooks, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar and the late Buddy Hackett. Murray went on to host a string of game shows in the 1950s, including "Dollar a Second," before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Among the movies he appeared in were "The Busy Body," "Who Killed Teddy Bear" and, in a small role, Brooks' "History of the World Part I." He also served as a guest host on "The Tonight Show" and did many guest shots in 1960s and '70s TV series, including "Love, American Style," "The Name of the Game" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." Murray, who retired 10 years ago, balanced his work with a rich family life, his son said. "He was a person who fully loved his life and wanted to continue as long as he could," his son said. In addition to son Howard, Murray is survived by his wife, Toni; son Warren; daughters, Diane and Celia; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
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07-03-2006, 06:53 PM	#2
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	he was one of my all time faves and about the last of the old castskill borstch belt comics he will be missed

07-03-2006, 07:01 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,344	I remember him mainly from Hollywood Squares but he was also in one of my favorite movies called Day of the Wolves.

07-04-2006, 12:00 AM	#4
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,959	He also hosted the short-lived game show Chain Letter, which ran from July to October 1966.