Slapstick Comedian Soupy Sales Dies at 83 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-23-2009, 11:06 AM

Comedy legend Soupy Sales, the man who took thousands of pies to the face in his 5,000+ live television appearances, has died at the age of 83. His legend spans all the way back to the '50s and '60s, thanks to 'The Soupy Sales Show' and 'What's My Line?'

Sales died Thursday night at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York, his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher, said. 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.

http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/23/c...s-dies-at-83/#

MickeyMac · 10-23-2009, 11:12 AM

Before he went national his show was a fixture on Detroit TV. Just ask anybody who grew up in the motor city back in the day.

He also had a local nighttime jazz show on Detroit TV too.

RIP.

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-23-2009, 11:50 AM

R.I.P.

MrCleveland · 10-23-2009, 03:06 PM

I'm a little young to know about Soupy Sales, but his sons are musicians for Todd Rundgren and David Bowie.

howilu · 10-23-2009, 05:21 PM

I remember Soupy's New York kids show in the mid 60s on Channel 5. It was so funny. My mom used to refer to him as "Soupy Salesman." He was notorious for the incident on New Years Day 1965 where he told his young viewers to go to their parents wallets and send him "those little green pieces of paper". It resulted in him being suspended for a week. The Soupy Sales Show was also popular with adults and throughout his TV career he threw or got hit with more than 20,000 pies.

I also remember Soupy on the syndicated version of "What's My Line" as well as other game shows, including the numerous incarnations of "Pyramid." May he rest in peace.

Marvo301 · 10-23-2009, 07:44 PM

I love that story that Howilu shared about Soupy asking kids to send him the little green pieces of paper from their parents wallets. That's a perfect example of Soupy's unique sense of humor. I've always enjoyed Soupy's humor but never fully understood why until today when I was reading an online obit. and found out that one of the inspirations for Soupy's comedy style was the Marx Brothers. Of course I remember Soupy best from his many game show appearances. (especially What's My Line)

Soupy Sales

catlover79 · 10-23-2009, 09:48 PM

I remember seeing him in reruns of Match Game with Betty White on GSN.

Soupy!!

Retro4Life · 10-23-2009, 09:55 PM

RIP Soupy.

Marvo301 · 10-23-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I remember seeing him in reruns of Match Game with Betty White on GSN.

Soupy!!

Those are great pics of Soupy Sales! Thanks for posting them Monika!

catlover79 · 10-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Those are great pics of Soupy Sales! Thanks for posting them Monika!

Hey, can anyone think of Soupy without thinking about cream pie?

Marvo301 · 10-23-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Hey, can anyone think of Soupy without thinking about cream pie?

Not me! Soupy and cream pie go together! Literally!!!

catlover79 · 10-23-2009, 10:52 PM

I wonder if Soupy helped inspire this great bit from this great S4 Bewitched ep:

Schmoopie · 10-24-2009, 01:47 AM

I saw this in USA Today and was sorry to hear of his passing. I used to have a record/children's book years ago that Soupy Sales narrarated. That's the main thing I remember him for.

howilu · 10-24-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I saw this in USA Today and was sorry to hear of his passing. I used to have a record/children's book years ago that Soupy Sales narrarated. That's the main thing I remember him for.

If it's the one where he narrated a half dozen versions Wonder Books, including "Silly Sidney", "The Little Train That Won a Medal" and "The Bingity Bangity School Bus", that's it! I had the album years ago and it also included the story of Mr. Bear Squash You All Flat.

10-23-2009, 11:06 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Slapstick Comedian Soupy Sales Dies at 83 Comedy legend Soupy Sales, the man who took thousands of pies to the face in his 5,000+ live television appearances, has died at the age of 83. His legend spans all the way back to the '50s and '60s, thanks to 'The Soupy Sales Show' and 'What's My Line?' Sales died Thursday night at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York, his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher, said. 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. http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/23/c...s-dies-at-83/#
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10-23-2009, 11:50 AM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	R.I.P.
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10-23-2009, 03:06 PM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	I'm a little young to know about Soupy Sales, but his sons are musicians for Todd Rundgren and David Bowie.
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10-23-2009, 07:44 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I love that story that Howilu shared about Soupy asking kids to send him the little green pieces of paper from their parents wallets. That's a perfect example of Soupy's unique sense of humor. I've always enjoyed Soupy's humor but never fully understood why until today when I was reading an online obit. and found out that one of the inspirations for Soupy's comedy style was the Marx Brothers. Of course I remember Soupy best from his many game show appearances. (especially What's My Line) Soupy Sales
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10-23-2009, 09:48 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I remember seeing him in reruns of Match Game with Betty White on GSN. Soupy!! Attached Images
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10-23-2009, 11:12 AM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Before he went national his show was a fixture on Detroit TV. Just ask anybody who grew up in the motor city back in the day. He also had a local nighttime jazz show on Detroit TV too. RIP.

10-23-2009, 05:21 PM	#5
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	I remember Soupy's New York kids show in the mid 60s on Channel 5. It was so funny. My mom used to refer to him as "Soupy Salesman." He was notorious for the incident on New Years Day 1965 where he told his young viewers to go to their parents wallets and send him "those little green pieces of paper". It resulted in him being suspended for a week. The Soupy Sales Show was also popular with adults and throughout his TV career he threw or got hit with more than 20,000 pies. I also remember Soupy on the syndicated version of "What's My Line" as well as other game shows, including the numerous incarnations of "Pyramid." May he rest in peace.

10-23-2009, 09:55 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	RIP Soupy.
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10-23-2009, 10:52 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I wonder if Soupy helped inspire this great bit from this great S4 Bewitched ep: Attached Images

10-24-2009, 01:47 AM	#13
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I saw this in USA Today and was sorry to hear of his passing. I used to have a record/children's book years ago that Soupy Sales narrarated. That's the main thing I remember him for.
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