Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Great Jewish Comedians: Joey Bishop on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jack Benny


Joey Bishop (1918-2007) born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb, was an American entertainer who appeared on television as early as 1948 and eventually starred in his own weekly comedy series playing a talk show host. He then became the host of a late night talk show. 

Bishop later became a member of the "Rat Pack" with Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin. sord

Like most of the old-time Jewish comedians, he wasn't known for any overt Jewish material, but he usually managed to insert a reference to a Bar Mitzvah or other Jewish term into his commentary.

The youngest of five children, he was born in The Bronx, the son of Anna (Siegel) and Jacob Gottlieb, Jewish Polish immigrants. His father was a bicycle repairman.  Bishop was raised in South Philadelphia.

He guest-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson at least 175 times from 1971–76, more than anyone else until that time. Here is a video clip of one of his appearances on the show in October 1972.

Enjoy!




1 comment:

  1. He had me laughing out loud so many times. I thought he was great.

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