Comedian/Actor Red Buttons died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Moonlight Lady · 07-13-2006, 04:58 PM

By BOB THOMAS

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Red Buttons, the carrot-topped burlesque comedian who became a top star in early television and then in a dramatic role won the 1957 Oscar as supporting actor in "Sayonara," died Thursday. He was 87.

Buttons died of vascular disease at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles, publicist Warren Cowan said. He had been ill for some time, and was with family members when he died, Cowan said.

With his eager manner and rapid-fire wit, Buttons excelled in every phase of show business, from the Borscht Belt of the 1930s to celebrity roasts in the 1990s.

His greatest achievement came with his "Sayonara" role as Sgt. Joe Kelly, the soldier in the post-World War II occupation forces in Japan whose romance with a Japanese woman (Myoshi Umeki, who also won an Academy Award) ends in tragedy.

Josh Logan, who directed the James Michener story that starred Marlon Brando, was at first hesitant to cast a well-known comedian in such a somber role.

"The tests were so extensive that they could just put scenery around them and release the footage as a feature film," Buttons remarked.

Buttons' Academy Award led to other films, both dramas and comedies. They included "Imitation General,""The Big Circus,""Hatari!""The Longest Day,""Up From the Beach,""They Shoot Horses, Don't They?""The Poseidon Adventure,""Gable and Lombard" and "Pete's Dragon."

A performer since his teens, Buttons was noticed by burlesque theater owners and he became the youngest comic on the circuit. He had graduated to small roles on Broadway before being drafted in 1943.

Along with dozens of other future stars, including Mario Lanza, John Forsythe, Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb, Buttons was enlisted for "Winged Victory," the play that famed director-playwright Moss Hart created for the Air Force. Buttons also appeared in the 1944 film version, directed by George Cukor.

Discharged in 1946, Buttons returned to nightclub and theater work. In 1952, CBS signed him for a weekly show as the network's answer to NBC's Milton Berle.

"The Red Buttons Show" was first broadcast on CBS Oct. 14, 1952, without a sponsor since the star was virtually unknown. Within a month, the show became a solid hit and advertisers were clamoring.

Buttons drew on all his past experience for monologues, songs, dances and sketches featuring such characters as a punch-drunk fighter, a scrappy street kid, a Sad Sack GI and a blundering German. The hit of the show was a silly song in which he pranced about the stage singing, "Ho! Ho!... He! He!... Ha! Ha!... Strange things are happening!" It became a national craze.

After a sensational first season, "The Red Buttons Show" began to slide. Reports circulated that the star had fits of temper and frequently fired writers, and the show ended after three seasons.

"Certainly I made mistakes, and mistakes were made for me," he said in 1960. "When you go into TV cold, as I did, it's murder."

While the failure was a severe blow to the normally optimistic comedian, he soon recovered and resumed his career as a guest star on TV shows. A straight role on "Suspense" brought him to the attention of Logan, who cast him for the career-making "Sayonara."

In 1966, Buttons starred in another series, "The Double Life of Henry Phyfe," as a humble accountant enlisted as a government spy. The show lasted only six months.

Over the years Buttons remained a steady performer on television, appearing on such series as "Knots Landing,""Roseanne" and "ER." He also took his act on the road, appearing at Las Vegas, Atlantic City, conventions, and returning to his beginnings in the Catskills.

Still in good health at 76 ("They call me the only Yiddish leprechaun"), he appeared in New York in 1995 with an autobiographical one-man show, "Buttons on Broadway."

It was his first Broadway show since 1948, when he appeared in a play with the unfortunate title of "Hold It." One critic, Buttons recalled, began his review: "'Hold It?' Fold it."

Buttons was born Aaron Chwatt on Feb. 15, 1919, son of an immigrant milliner, in a tough Manhattan neighborhood where, he once said, "you either grew up to be a judge or you went to the electric chair."

He struggled through schools in Manhattan and the Bronx - "Mom and Pop went to school as often as I did; they should have graduated with me." He started performing at the age of 12, winning an amateur contest singing "Sweet Jenny Brown" in a sailor's suit.

At 16 he was working as a singer and bellhop in a gin mill on New York's City Island. Since all bellhops were called Buttons and Chwatt had red hair, he got his new name.

During his summer vacation, he worked as a singer on the Borscht Circuit - the string of Catskills resorts catering to a largely Jewish clientele where Danny Kaye, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Hart and others trained for stardom.

In later years, Buttons became a favorite at testimonial/roast dinners with his roaringly funny "Never had a dinner" routine. He cited famous figures who had never been so honored. Examples: "Abe Lincoln, who said 'A house divided is a condominium,' never had a dinner"; "(Perennial presidential candidate) Jerry Brown, whose theme song is 'California, Here I Go,' never had a dinner." (When he did "Buttons on Broadway," he altered the routine and named people who never did one-man shows.)

In 1982, Red Buttons finally had a dinner. The Friars Club honored him with a star-filled roast and a life-achievement award.

"When I was a kid in the Bronx and watching and dreaming from the second balcony," the guest of honor said, "in my wildest imagination I couldn't have written this scenario tonight."

Buttons was married and divorced twice in his early career. He is survived by his third wife, Alicia, their children, Amy and Adam, and a sister.

That stinks

I liked him, I remember him in The Poseidon Adventure.

Red

gilligan fanatic · 07-13-2006, 05:01 PM

yeah, I just read that. I also like him on the Poseidon Adventure. He was also very good on the Dean Martin roasts I have seen with him. Very funny guy.

dawsongirl · 07-13-2006, 05:02 PM

Lot of dying lately. Bernard Hughes just died too. And June Allyson. Is that the 3?

Moonlight Lady · 07-13-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Lot of dying lately. Bernard Hughes just died too. And June Allyson. Is that the 3?

Bernard Hughes died too? That sucks

Yeah, I think Red Buttons makes it three.

dawsongirl · 07-13-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonlight Lady

Bernard Hughes died too? That sucks

Yeah, I think Red Buttons makes it three.

Yeah...yesterday, day before.

tv star collector · 07-13-2006, 06:53 PM

And let's not forget Jan Murray, another funny Borscht Belt comedian, who we
lost recently.

swedeace · 07-13-2006, 07:02 PM

Wow... how sad... I liked Red Buttons on "Roseanne" and in the 1985 all-cast musical movie, "Through the Looking Glass."

Superstar · 07-13-2006, 07:18 PM

R.I.P

phoebe7165 · 07-13-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

And let's not forget Jan Murray, another funny Borscht Belt comedian, who we
lost recently.

I thought Jan Murray died years ago!! That's if it's the same Jan Murray we're talking about. I heard about June Allyson but I didn't know about Bernard Hughes. He was in one of my favorite movies, "The Lost Boys".

RIP to Red, too. Geez, I remember seeing Pete's Dragon in the movies!!! God, I'm getting old.

Janice · 07-13-2006, 10:04 PM

Oh, I liked him a lot. Rest in Peace, Red Buttons.

Mr. Television · 07-13-2006, 10:11 PM

He was great on the Poseidon Adventure amd he really showed he could do drama too if any of you ever saw Sayonara.

R.I.P. Red.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-13-2006, 11:07 PM

RIP

07-13-2006, 04:58 PM	#1
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	Comedian/Actor Red Buttons died By BOB THOMAS LOS ANGELES (AP) - Red Buttons, the carrot-topped burlesque comedian who became a top star in early television and then in a dramatic role won the 1957 Oscar as supporting actor in "Sayonara," died Thursday. He was 87. Buttons died of vascular disease at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles, publicist Warren Cowan said. He had been ill for some time, and was with family members when he died, Cowan said. With his eager manner and rapid-fire wit, Buttons excelled in every phase of show business, from the Borscht Belt of the 1930s to celebrity roasts in the 1990s. His greatest achievement came with his "Sayonara" role as Sgt. Joe Kelly, the soldier in the post-World War II occupation forces in Japan whose romance with a Japanese woman (Myoshi Umeki, who also won an Academy Award) ends in tragedy. Josh Logan, who directed the James Michener story that starred Marlon Brando, was at first hesitant to cast a well-known comedian in such a somber role. "The tests were so extensive that they could just put scenery around them and release the footage as a feature film," Buttons remarked. Buttons' Academy Award led to other films, both dramas and comedies. They included "Imitation General,""The Big Circus,""Hatari!""The Longest Day,""Up From the Beach,""They Shoot Horses, Don't They?""The Poseidon Adventure,""Gable and Lombard" and "Pete's Dragon." A performer since his teens, Buttons was noticed by burlesque theater owners and he became the youngest comic on the circuit. He had graduated to small roles on Broadway before being drafted in 1943. Along with dozens of other future stars, including Mario Lanza, John Forsythe, Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb, Buttons was enlisted for "Winged Victory," the play that famed director-playwright Moss Hart created for the Air Force. Buttons also appeared in the 1944 film version, directed by George Cukor. Discharged in 1946, Buttons returned to nightclub and theater work. In 1952, CBS signed him for a weekly show as the network's answer to NBC's Milton Berle. "The Red Buttons Show" was first broadcast on CBS Oct. 14, 1952, without a sponsor since the star was virtually unknown. Within a month, the show became a solid hit and advertisers were clamoring. Buttons drew on all his past experience for monologues, songs, dances and sketches featuring such characters as a punch-drunk fighter, a scrappy street kid, a Sad Sack GI and a blundering German. The hit of the show was a silly song in which he pranced about the stage singing, "Ho! Ho!... He! He!... Ha! Ha!... Strange things are happening!" It became a national craze. After a sensational first season, "The Red Buttons Show" began to slide. Reports circulated that the star had fits of temper and frequently fired writers, and the show ended after three seasons. "Certainly I made mistakes, and mistakes were made for me," he said in 1960. "When you go into TV cold, as I did, it's murder." While the failure was a severe blow to the normally optimistic comedian, he soon recovered and resumed his career as a guest star on TV shows. A straight role on "Suspense" brought him to the attention of Logan, who cast him for the career-making "Sayonara." In 1966, Buttons starred in another series, "The Double Life of Henry Phyfe," as a humble accountant enlisted as a government spy. The show lasted only six months. Over the years Buttons remained a steady performer on television, appearing on such series as "Knots Landing,""Roseanne" and "ER." He also took his act on the road, appearing at Las Vegas, Atlantic City, conventions, and returning to his beginnings in the Catskills. Still in good health at 76 ("They call me the only Yiddish leprechaun"), he appeared in New York in 1995 with an autobiographical one-man show, "Buttons on Broadway." It was his first Broadway show since 1948, when he appeared in a play with the unfortunate title of "Hold It." One critic, Buttons recalled, began his review: "'Hold It?' Fold it." Buttons was born Aaron Chwatt on Feb. 15, 1919, son of an immigrant milliner, in a tough Manhattan neighborhood where, he once said, "you either grew up to be a judge or you went to the electric chair." He struggled through schools in Manhattan and the Bronx - "Mom and Pop went to school as often as I did; they should have graduated with me." He started performing at the age of 12, winning an amateur contest singing "Sweet Jenny Brown" in a sailor's suit. At 16 he was working as a singer and bellhop in a gin mill on New York's City Island. Since all bellhops were called Buttons and Chwatt had red hair, he got his new name. During his summer vacation, he worked as a singer on the Borscht Circuit - the string of Catskills resorts catering to a largely Jewish clientele where Danny Kaye, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Hart and others trained for stardom. In later years, Buttons became a favorite at testimonial/roast dinners with his roaringly funny "Never had a dinner" routine. He cited famous figures who had never been so honored. Examples: "Abe Lincoln, who said 'A house divided is a condominium,' never had a dinner"; "(Perennial presidential candidate) Jerry Brown, whose theme song is 'California, Here I Go,' never had a dinner." (When he did "Buttons on Broadway," he altered the routine and named people who never did one-man shows.) In 1982, Red Buttons finally had a dinner. The Friars Club honored him with a star-filled roast and a life-achievement award. "When I was a kid in the Bronx and watching and dreaming from the second balcony," the guest of honor said, "in my wildest imagination I couldn't have written this scenario tonight." Buttons was married and divorced twice in his early career. He is survived by his third wife, Alicia, their children, Amy and Adam, and a sister. That stinks I liked him, I remember him in The Poseidon Adventure. Red
	__________________ [

07-13-2006, 05:01 PM	#2
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	yeah, I just read that. I also like him on the Poseidon Adventure. He was also very good on the Dean Martin roasts I have seen with him. Very funny guy.
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

07-13-2006, 10:11 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	He was great on the Poseidon Adventure amd he really showed he could do drama too if any of you ever saw Sayonara. R.I.P. Red.
	__________________ Sonny

07-13-2006, 11:07 PM	#12
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	RIP
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

07-13-2006, 05:02 PM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Lot of dying lately. Bernard Hughes just died too. And June Allyson. Is that the 3?

07-13-2006, 06:53 PM	#6
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	And let's not forget Jan Murray, another funny Borscht Belt comedian, who we lost recently.

07-13-2006, 07:02 PM	#7
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Wow... how sad... I liked Red Buttons on "Roseanne" and in the 1985 all-cast musical movie, "Through the Looking Glass."

07-13-2006, 07:18 PM	#8
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	R.I.P

07-13-2006, 10:04 PM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Oh, I liked him a lot. Rest in Peace, Red Buttons.