Alan King - dead

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Comedian and actor Alan King, a longtime fixture in Jewish humor, died at a New York hospital on Sunday aged 76, according to a local funeral home.
King, who lived in King's Point, N.Y., died of lung cancer, his wife Jeannette told local media. Services were scheduled for Tuesday morning, said Riverside Memorial Chapel in Manhattan.

The Brooklyn-born son of Russian immigrants was one of the so-called Borscht Belt comics who in trademark acerbic delivery, cigar in hand, would gripe about the trials of everyday life. King especially poked fun at being Jewish.

In one typical joke, King quipped that a short summary of every Jewish holiday was: "They tried to kill us. We won. Let's eat."

In another, he asked: "What's the difference between a Rottweiler and a Jewish mother? Eventually the Rottweiler lets go."

King once recounted a Jewish man asking his wife if she would like diamond jewelry, a new car or a trip for their anniversary. She responded that she wanted a divorce.

"Oy vey," the man replied. "I wasn't planning on spending that much."

As a teenager King worked in the Catskills, whose resorts are popular with Jewish New Yorkers. He later worked in cabaret, opening for such stars as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.

For decades, he played nightclubs and was a frequent guest on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show" with host Johnny Carson.

He appeared in films as a character actor, including "The Bonfire of the Vanities" and "Casino." He also was a fixture at the Friars Club, known for its biting celebrity roasts.

He wrote several books, including "Alan King's Great Jewish Joke Book."

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I heard that on the radio as I was out driving this afternoon. I was surprised to realize what strong memories I have of some of his routines. I guess it was those 90+ Ed Sullivan appearances.