Jack Carter, a comedian and actor known for Broadway, television and film roles, died Sunday. He was 93.
Carter, whose entertainment career spanned more than seven decades, died of respiratory failure at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Born Jack Chakrin to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native got an early career start, appearing as a mimic on radio's Major Bowes Amateur Hour as a teenager. He attended the Academy of Dramatic Art and, besides acting and comedy, he worked as an emcee, singer, dancer, director and nightclub entertainer. He made more than 50 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
After serving in the Army during World War II, Carter appeared on Broadway in Call Me Mister. On television, he worked on Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theatre before becoming host of Cavalcade of Stars. In the early 1950s, he hosted The Jack Carter Show as part of NBC's Saturday Night Revue.
He also appeared on The Colgate Comedy Hour with such talents as Ed Wynn, Jimmy Durante, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Donald O'Connor.
Carter, whose Broadway credits also include Mr. Wonderful and Top Banana, hosted the first televised Tony Awards ceremony in 1956. His film resume includes roles in Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley and Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part I.
The Emmy-nominated actor could be seen in many TV comedies, including Caroline in the City and 3rd Rock from the Sun, and dramas, including Dr. Kildare, The Rockford Files and Diagnosis Murder. He made several appearances in Showtime's Shameless, including one as recently as 2014.
Carter was a frequent guest on such variety and comedy programs as The Dean Martin Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and numerous Bob Hope specials. During the 1970s and 1980s, he appeared as a celebrity panelist no such game shows as The Match Game and The $10,000 Pyramid.
Behind the camera, Carter directed Lucille Ball's CBS comedy, Here's Lucy, and such plays as A Thousand Clowns, Silver Anniversary and Mouth-Trap.
Carter is survived by his wife Roxanne, who he married in 1971; his son, Michael Carter, and Michael's wife, Victoria; his son, Chase Carter; his daughter, Wendy Carter; and his grandchildren, Jake and Ava.
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He was never my favorite comedian, but he was one of those guys, like Louis Nye, who defined a lot of my growing up. He had a long life and he and his brethren are all missed. RIP.
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I mostly remember him from game shows in the 1970's. There was a regular group of celebrities that never seemed to do anything besides being on game shows. Maybe they were character actors or their acting careers were largely behind them, but it seemed like a cool fraternity to be in. Anyway, Jack and Roxanne were frequently on Tattletales, if I recall. That was one of my favorite shows at the time. He seemed gruff, but was a good sport just the same. R.I.P.
I mostly remember him from game shows in the 1970's. There was a regular group of celebrities that never seemed to do anything besides being on game shows. Maybe they were character actors or their acting careers were largely behind them, but it seemed like a cool fraternity to be in. Anyway, Jack and Roxanne were frequently on Tattletales, if I recall. That was one of my favorite shows at the time. He seemed gruff, but was a good sport just the same. R.I.P.
That's probably where I remember him from. I had forgotten about him.
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