Foster Brooks has passed away - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jimbo · 12-22-2001, 04:06 PM

Comedian Foster Brooks, best known for his comic routines as "The Loveable Lush", passed away this week at the age of 89.

Although he is most famous for his "drunk" routines, he also appeared in numerous sitcoms throughout his career, such as "The Munsters" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". In addition, he had an occasional role on "Mork and Mindy" as "Mr. Sternhagen", the station manager of the televison station where Mindy worked in some of the later episodes of the series. Foster Brooks was also a panelist on game shows, making frequent appearances on the 1970s version of "Match Game".

Although other comedians have impersonated drunks as part of their routine, Foster Brooks was so good that many people could not tell if it was an act, or if he had really been drinking! His best performances (in my opinion) were on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts", where he would stagger to the podium, mispronounce the guest of honor's name (for example, he referred to Sammy Davis Jr. as "Sandy Duncan Jr."), and sway back and forth as he "struggled" through his monologue.

One fact that many people do not know is that Mr. Brooks had a beautiful singing voice. Foster Brooks was a very talented individual, and will be missed. Rest in Peace, Foster.

Penny Lane · 12-22-2001, 09:48 PM

I didn't realize he was that old! He was really a funny guy! RIP.

dawsongirl · 12-23-2001, 03:07 AM

I saw him on Match Game. Very funny! I think he might have been on an episode of Adam-12 too, playing a drunk of course!

TV Guy · 12-23-2001, 04:52 PM

Foster Brooks is one of those people who passes away and you say to yourself "I can't believe they were still alive!" Kind of like Shirley Booth and Gale Gordon.

Jimbo · 12-23-2001, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TV Guy
Foster Brooks is one of those people who passes away and you say to yourself "I can't believe they were still alive!" Kind of like Shirley Booth and Gale Gordon.

I know what you mean! In this morning's paper, I looked at the column where they list the celebrities who are celebrating a birthday today. Among those listed was James Gregory, who turned 90 today! He's appeared in perhaps hundreds of movies and TV shows, but is probably best known to sitcom fans as "Inspector Luger" on "Barney Miller". I thought he had passed away years ago. God Bless him!

JT · 12-23-2001, 06:23 PM

There's a story to what Jimbo said.
I always thought that Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke were both dead.Then I get a Biography book and it has both of them on the "what's On Biography" page that Andy Griffith was 1926- and DVD was 1925-.
Then everyone says "Andy Griffith was Matlock!" and "Dick Van Dyke was is Diagnosis Murder!!!"
I felt stupid!!

Penny Lane · 12-23-2001, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JT
There's a story to what Jimbo said.
I always thought that Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke were both dead.Then I get a Biography book and it has both of them on the "what's On Biography" page that Andy Griffith was 1926- and DVD was 1925-.
Then everyone says "Andy Griffith was Matlock!" and "Dick Van Dyke was is Diagnosis Murder!!!"
I felt stupid!!

12-22-2001, 04:06 PM	#1
Jimbo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: United States of America-One Nation UNDER GOD! Posts: 471	Foster Brooks has passed away Comedian Foster Brooks, best known for his comic routines as "The Loveable Lush", passed away this week at the age of 89. Although he is most famous for his "drunk" routines, he also appeared in numerous sitcoms throughout his career, such as "The Munsters" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". In addition, he had an occasional role on "Mork and Mindy" as "Mr. Sternhagen", the station manager of the televison station where Mindy worked in some of the later episodes of the series. Foster Brooks was also a panelist on game shows, making frequent appearances on the 1970s version of "Match Game". Although other comedians have impersonated drunks as part of their routine, Foster Brooks was so good that many people could not tell if it was an act, or if he had really been drinking! His best performances (in my opinion) were on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts", where he would stagger to the podium, mispronounce the guest of honor's name (for example, he referred to Sammy Davis Jr. as "Sandy Duncan Jr."), and sway back and forth as he "struggled" through his monologue. One fact that many people do not know is that Mr. Brooks had a beautiful singing voice. Foster Brooks was a very talented individual, and will be missed. Rest in Peace, Foster.
	Last edited by Jimbo; 12-22-2001 at 10:19 PM.

12-22-2001, 09:48 PM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,260	I didn't realize he was that old! He was really a funny guy! RIP.
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

12-23-2001, 06:23 PM	#6
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	There's a story to what Jimbo said. I always thought that Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke were both dead.Then I get a Biography book and it has both of them on the "what's On Biography" page that Andy Griffith was 1926- and DVD was 1925-. Then everyone says "Andy Griffith was Matlock!" and "Dick Van Dyke was is Diagnosis Murder!!!" I felt stupid!!
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

12-23-2001, 03:07 AM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	I saw him on Match Game. Very funny! I think he might have been on an episode of Adam-12 too, playing a drunk of course!

12-23-2001, 04:52 PM	#4
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Foster Brooks is one of those people who passes away and you say to yourself "I can't believe they were still alive!" Kind of like Shirley Booth and Gale Gordon.