Jewish Humor Central is a daily publication to start your day with news of the Jewish world that's likely to produce a knowing smile and some Yiddishe nachas. It's also a collection of sources of Jewish humor--anything that brings a grin, chuckle, laugh, guffaw, or just a warm feeling to readers.
Our posts include jokes, satire, books, music, films, videos, food, Unbelievable But True, and In the News. Some are new, and some are classics. We post every morning, Sunday through Friday. Enjoy!
Abe Vigoda, the tall, dour-faced and slouch-shouldered character actor who died yesterday at the age of 94, proved
himself in both gritty dramatic roles, and as an actor with wonderful
comedic timing.
As he was profiled on the IMDb film website,Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lena
(Moses) and Samuel Vigoda, both Russian Jewish immigrants.
His father
was a tailor on the Lower East Side. He made his first stage appearance
at the age of 17 and plodded away in small theater shows for over 20
years. For the majority of film-goers, Vigoda first came to prominence
in The Godfather (1972) as the double-crossing Tessio, pleading with Robert Duvall to get him off the hook "for old times' sake." He also appeared in its sequel.
Vigoda had roles in a few nondescript TV films before landing the plum part of Sgt. Phil Fish on the brilliant sitcom Barney Miller (1974). Perhaps his best known role, Sgt. Fish proved popular enough to be spun off to his own (short-lived) series Fish (1977).
With
his long face and unusual looks, Vigoda remained in high demand in
mafioso-type roles, and for a while in the mid-1980s, he was mistakenly
believed to have been dead, leading producers to remark, "I need an Abe
Vigoda type actor," not realizing Vigoda was still alive and well. The
1990s and beyond became busy again for him, with appearances in North (1994), The Misery Brothers (1995), A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998), and Crime Spree (2003). He continued acting into his 90s, surprising audiences with his entertaining style.
One of his funny roles was in Joe Versus the Volcano, a 1990 American romantic comedy film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Vigoda had a supporting role as Chief of the Waponis.
In the film, Joe (Tom Hanks) is diagnosed
with an incurable disease, quits his dehumanizing job, and accepts an
offer to briefly "live like a king, die like a man" - but to fulfill his
agreement he must willingly jump into a live volcano on the island of
Waponi Woo in order to appease the volcano god.En route to the island,
Joe meets a series of interesting characters in NYC and LA, then boards a
yacht, captained by Patricia Graynamore (Meg Ryan). During the voyage Joe and
Patricia survive disaster, fall in love, and finally arrive at the
island where they face their destiny.
The film received positive reviews from some critics, including Roger Ebert, who described the film as "new and fresh and not shy of taking chances", and also was a box office success in the US.It has since become a cult film. The full movie is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/RjsLqFohMjc. It's an hour and 42 minutes long.
Here is a scene featuring Abe Vigoda as Chief of the Waponis.
Enjoy!
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Aviva Weinberg Israel Food and Wine Consultant Penina Kustanowitz Reporter and Photographer:
Meyer Berkowitz Reporter Phyllis Flancbaum
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...Now Available for Your JCC, Synagogue, or Organization. Al Kustanowitz's unique comedy experiences are coming to synagogues, JCCs and private clubs in a series of one-hour talks illustrated with the funniest Jewish video clips from the Internet. Al has brought his brand of Jewish humor to audiences in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and Jerusalem. In 2016 he will be performing in Florida, New York, and New Jersey. If you want to bring these unique shows to your community in 2016 and 2017, contact Al at 201-796-9273 or akustan at gmail.com. These shows are designed to enrich programs at resort hotels and cruise ships as well. Watch the excerpt below and call now for available dates, more info and other video clips. Get more details at www.JewishHumorPrograms.com.
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About the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Al Kustanowitz, Jewish Humor Central's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, has collected Jewish humor even before there was an internet. For the last 25 years he has been editor and publisher of The Kustanowitz Kronikle. Back issues of the Purim Kronikle are available at www.kustanowitz.com/KRONMAIN.HTM.
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