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Ben Lessy

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Ben Lessy
In Second Chorus (1940)
Born
Benjamin Lesinsky

(1902-04-29)April 29, 1902
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 1992(1992-10-30) (aged 90)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placeGlen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor; Comedian
Years active1933–1981

Ben Lessy (born Benjamin Lesinsky[1]; April 29, 1902[2][1] – October 30, 1992[2][1]) was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor.

Early life

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He was born in New York City.[1]

Career

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Lessy was known for a nightclub act done with Patti Moore,[3] the long-time wife of his best friend and agent, Sammy Lewis.[citation needed] They were regulars at Los Angeles nightclubs Slapsy Maxie's and Billy Gray's Band Box.[4][5][6] Lessy appeared in over 50 films and television episodes between 1938 and 1981. His first film role was in the two reel Cafe Rendezvous (1938) and his career ended with the Billy Wilder film Buddy Buddy (1981).[2] Other credits include Music for Millions (1944), Dark Delusion (1947) (the last entry in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Dr. Kildare series),The Pirate (1948) (Lessy's 9th, and final film during his seven years at MGM[citation needed]),The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Just for You (1952), Gypsy (1962), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Pajama Party (1964), That Darn Cat! (1965), and The Love Machine (1971).[7] On the small screen, he was frequently seen during the 1950s on the popular sitcom Make Room for Daddy, whose creator/star Danny Thomas dubbed Lessy "one of the greatest living generators of laughter".[3] Lessy also did a number of variety and talk show spots alongside nightclub partner Moore; these include Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town,[8] The Frank Sinatra Show,[9] The NBC Comedy Hour,[10][11] Juke Box Jury,[12] The John Conte Show,[13] The Woody Woodbury Show,[14] and Merv Griffin.[15] Other TV credits include Telephone Time (1957),[16] The Jack Benny Program (1959–64: 3 episodes),[17][18] The Cara Williams Show (1964–1965),[19][20] The Gypsy Ross Lee Show,[21] That Girl (1966), Petticoat Junction (1967),[22] The New Andy Griffith Show (1971),[23] and McMillan & Wife (1976).[24]

Lessy died on October 30, 1992, aged 90 from natural causes. His remains are interred at Sholom Memorial Park in Sylmar, California.[1]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 439. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4.
  2. ^ a b c Hess, Earl J.; Dabholcar, Pratibha, A. (2014). The Cinematic Voyage of THE PIRATE: Kelly, Garland, and Minnelli at Work. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-8262-2022-6.
  3. ^ a b "Patti Moore, Ben Lessy Team Started in Early 40's". The Victorville Press. October 3, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "Night Club Notes". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 4, 1955. Sec. 3, p. 9. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  5. ^ The Rounder (May 30, 1953). "Nite-Life; The Wild Goose Hangs High". p. 15. Retrieved November 7, 2024. See also:
  6. ^ Kearns, Audrey (August 21, 1958). "Nikabob Offers Prizes for Recipes; Kirkwood's Center Opens Sunday; Spotlighted". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. p. 17. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ben Lessy Filmography". American Film Institute. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "Today's Best TV Programs Previewed". The Des Moines Register. April 25, 1954. p. 21-M. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Highlights: Television Today". The Washington Evening Star. January 29, 1952. p. B-17. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  10. ^ Bird, Bill (November 16, 1952). "Bill Bird Reporting (Continued from page twelve)". The Pasadena Independent. p. S-14. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  11. ^ Ames, Walter (May 27, 1956). "This Week's TV: GOP and Democrat Chiefs to Discuss Favorite Subjects". Los Angeles Times. pt. IV, p. 11. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Rich, Allen (May 23, 1953). "Listening Post and TV Review". San Fernando Valley Times. p. 24. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Vernon, Terry (June 18, 1956). "TV Tele-Views". The Long Beach Independent. p. 30. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "TV Previews". The Hartford Courant. October 15, 1968. p. 33. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "Television Log". The Long Beach Independent. March 29, 1971. p. C-18. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "TV Key Preview". The Fresno Bee. November 17, 1957. p. 7-A. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Watch for These". Norfolk Ledger-Star. November 2, 1963. p. TV-8. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Today". The Wisconsin State Journal. January 14, 1964. Sec. II, p. 9. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "Wednesday, Nov. 11". The Cincinnati Post. November 7, 1964. p. TV-8. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  20. ^ "Wednesday, March 24, 1965". Chicago Tribune. March 20, 1965. p. TV-13. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  21. ^ "Monday, February 15, 1967; Afternoon". TV Guide. February 11—17, 1965. p. A-36. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  22. ^ "Hotel Turned Into Hoosegow". The Ithaca Journal. February 11, 1967. p. S-13. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  23. ^ "Tucson Television". Tucson Daily Citizen. January 15, 1971. p. 26. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  24. ^ USA Sitcoms ComedyZZ (May 10, 2024). "McMillan and Wife | Season 05 | Episode 06 - Greed". YouTube. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
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