David brenner biography comedian
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Comedian David Brenner Dies at 78
David Brenner, the wry stand-up comic and pundit from Philadelphia who as a favorite of Johnny Carson appeared more times on The Tonight Show than any other guest, died Saturday. He was 78.
His longtime publicist Jeff Abraham confirmed Brenner’s death from cancer to The Hollywood Reporter. “Brenner died fredligt at his home in NYC surrounded by his family at his side,” read Abraham’s statement.
STORY: Hollywood Pays Tribute to David Brenner
By one estimate, the perpetually grinning Brenner appeared on The Tonight Show 158 times and guest-hosted the NBC late-night show on a handful of other occasions when Carson took time off. One book says he made more talk-show appearances than any other guest in history.
Said comic Richard Lewis in a tweet: “Brenner was a star. The king of ‘hip, observational comedy’ … He was family. This leaves an irreplaceable hole.”
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David Brenner
Launched to fame through "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (NBC 1962-1992), stand-up David Brenner went onto become a staple of the talk show circuit thanks to a pioneering observational style which influenced a generation of comics. Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1936, Brenner inherited his wry sense of his humor from his father, a former vaudeville performer named Lou Murphy who gave up his showbiz career to become a rabbi. But after serving two years in the U.S. Army and graduating from his hometown's Temple University with a degree in mass communication, Brenner initially focused his talents behind the scenes, writing, producing and directing over 115 television documentaries and winning over 30 awards, including an Emmy, in the process.
But after landing his first professional stand-up gig at New York's The Improv in 1969, Brenner began switching his attention to the comedy scene and became a regular at several Greenwich Village clubs. Following a failed au
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David Brenner
American comedian and actor (1936–2014)
For the film editor, see David Brenner (film editor). For the biophysicist, see David J. Brenner.
| David Brenner | |
|---|---|
Brenner in June 1976 on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | |
| Birth name | David Norris Brenner |
| Born | (1936-02-04)February 4, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 15, 2014(2014-03-15) (aged 78) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up, television |
| Alma mater | Temple University |
| Years active | 1969–2013 |
| Genres | Observational comedy, self-deprecation, topical comedy[1] |
| Spouse | Geraldine Judith Leno (m. ; div. )Elizabeth Slater (m. ; div. )Ruth Brenner (m. 2011) |
| Partner(s) | Charisse Brody[2] Tai Babilonia (2002 – 2009) |
David Norris Brenner (February 4, 1936