Jack Benny
Jack Benny | |
|---|---|
Jack Benny in 1964 | |
| Born | Benjamin Kubelsky February 14, 1894 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 1974 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1911–1974 |
| Known for | The Jack Benny Program |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Robert F. Blumofe (son-in-law) Robert Blumofe (grandson) |
| Awards |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1918-1921 |
| Rank | Seaman First Class |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | World War I Victory Medal |
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky; February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success as a violinist on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century with a highly popular comedic career in radio, television, and film. He was known for his comic timing and the ability to cause laughter with a long pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated summation "Well! "
His radio and television programs, popular from 1932 until his death in 1974, were a major influence on the sitcom genre. Benny portrayed himself as a miser who obliviously played his violin badly and claimed perpetually to be 39 years of age.