Comedian and TV Pioneer Soupy Sales Dies at 83 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 10-22-2009, 11:20 PM

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DETROIT — Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83.

Sales died at Thursday night at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York, said his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher. Sales had many health problems and entered the hospice last week, Usher said.

At the peak of his fame in the 1950s and '60s, Sales was one of the best-known faces in the nation, Usher said.

"If President Eisenhower would have walked down the street, no one would have recognized him as much as Soupy," said Usher.

At the same time, Sales retained an openness to fans that turned every restaurant meal into an endless autograph-signing session, Usher said.

"He was just good to people," Usher said.

Sales began his TV career in Detroit, where he drew a large audience on WXYZ-TV. He moved to Los Angeles in 1961.

The comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales. During the early 1960s, stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Shirley MacLaine received their just desserts side-by-side with the comedian on his television show.

"I'll probably be remembered for the pies, and that's all right," Sales said in a 1985 interview.

Sales was born Milton Supman on Jan. 8, 1926, in North Carolina and grew up in Huntington, W.Va.

His greatest success came in New York with "The Soupy Sales Show" — an ostensible children's show that had little to do with Captain Kangaroo and other kiddie fare. Sales' manic, improvisational style also attracted an older audience that responded to his envelope-pushing antics.

Sales, who was typically clad in a black sweater and oversized bow-tie, was once suspended for a week after telling his legion of tiny listeners to empty their mothers' purse and mail him all the pieces of green paper bearing pictures of the presidents.

The cast of "Saturday Night Live" later paid homage by asking their audience to send in their joints. His influence was also obvious in the Pee-Wee Herman character created by Paul Reubens.

Sales is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony, a pair of musicians who backed David Bowie in the band Tin Machine.

TripperFan · 10-22-2009, 11:23 PM

Always loved Soupy.

I'll never forget how shocked he was when they pulled that prank on him on his show where he opens a door and (hidden to the audience) is a beautiful naked woman on the other side - and it was live t.v.!

God rest your soul Soup - you were one of a kind!

Mr. Television · 10-22-2009, 11:30 PM

He was a real tv pioneer. So sad. R.I.P. Soupy.

Zoneboy · 10-22-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pus$y Galore

Always loved Soupy.

God rest your soul Soup - you were one of a kind!

My sentiments exactly, I'll probably remember Soupy more for his many game show appearances especially those on What's My Line? and The $10,000 Pyramid. Hopefully, GSN will have a tribute to him in the near future.

Pitooey · 10-22-2009, 11:33 PM

How sad...

I wonder what he died from?

I loved Soupy. I remember dancing his trademark dance the mouse when I was a kid.

Do the mouse......... You could do it in your house now.........

RIP Soupy.....

Zoneboy · 10-22-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitooey

How sad...

I wonder what he died from?

Another article I read stated that he had many health problems and entered the hospice a week ago.

Zoneboy · 10-22-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

He was a real tv pioneer. So sad. R.I.P. Soupy.

You're exactly right, He was a TV pioneer and I changed the subject line to reflect that.

catlover79 · 10-23-2009, 12:03 AM

Soupy Sales - you were truly one of a kind.

Cactus Jack · 10-23-2009, 12:27 AM

RIP

comedyfreak · 10-23-2009, 03:27 AM

How sad, RIP Soupy. I'll remember him for his tv appearances.

janet42 · 10-25-2009, 08:41 PM

MAY SOUPY SALES REST IN PEACE! He was one of a kind.

10-22-2009, 11:20 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: 34,346	Comedian and TV Pioneer Soupy Sales Dies at 83 Link DETROIT — Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83. Sales died at Thursday night at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York, said his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher. Sales had many health problems and entered the hospice last week, Usher said. At the peak of his fame in the 1950s and '60s, Sales was one of the best-known faces in the nation, Usher said. "If President Eisenhower would have walked down the street, no one would have recognized him as much as Soupy," said Usher. At the same time, Sales retained an openness to fans that turned every restaurant meal into an endless autograph-signing session, Usher said. "He was just good to people," Usher said. Sales began his TV career in Detroit, where he drew a large audience on WXYZ-TV. He moved to Los Angeles in 1961. The comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales. During the early 1960s, stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Shirley MacLaine received their just desserts side-by-side with the comedian on his television show. "I'll probably be remembered for the pies, and that's all right," Sales said in a 1985 interview. Sales was born Milton Supman on Jan. 8, 1926, in North Carolina and grew up in Huntington, W.Va. His greatest success came in New York with "The Soupy Sales Show" — an ostensible children's show that had little to do with Captain Kangaroo and other kiddie fare. Sales' manic, improvisational style also attracted an older audience that responded to his envelope-pushing antics. Sales, who was typically clad in a black sweater and oversized bow-tie, was once suspended for a week after telling his legion of tiny listeners to empty their mothers' purse and mail him all the pieces of green paper bearing pictures of the presidents. The cast of "Saturday Night Live" later paid homage by asking their audience to send in their joints. His influence was also obvious in the Pee-Wee Herman character created by Paul Reubens. Sales is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony, a pair of musicians who backed David Bowie in the band Tin Machine.
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10-22-2009, 11:23 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	Always loved Soupy. I'll never forget how shocked he was when they pulled that prank on him on his show where he opens a door and (hidden to the audience) is a beautiful naked woman on the other side - and it was live t.v.! God rest your soul Soup - you were one of a kind!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

10-22-2009, 11:30 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	He was a real tv pioneer. So sad. R.I.P. Soupy.
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10-22-2009, 11:33 PM	#5
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	How sad... I wonder what he died from? I loved Soupy. I remember dancing his trademark dance the mouse when I was a kid. Do the mouse......... You could do it in your house now......... RIP Soupy.....
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

10-23-2009, 12:03 AM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Soupy Sales - you were truly one of a kind.
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10-23-2009, 12:27 AM	#9
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP
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10-23-2009, 03:27 AM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	How sad, RIP Soupy. I'll remember him for his tv appearances.
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10-25-2009, 08:41 PM	#11
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	MAY SOUPY SALES REST IN PEACE! He was one of a kind.