Jack E. Leonard
Encyclopedia
Jack E. Leonard was an American
comedian
who made frequent appearances on television variety
and game show
s.
hosted by Jack Paar
put Leonard over the top. He became a busy performer on television and in nightclubs. He worked steadily in the big rooms of Las Vegas
, insulting the high-rollers and losers who needed a laugh.
Leonard's comedic method was sarcastic
and aggressive, creating an "insult humor
" genre which anticipated Don Rickles
. (Appropriately, a Friars' Club roast in honor of Rickles was emceed by Jack E. Leonard, who introduced Rickles as "a man who's been doing my act for about 12 years now!") Jack E. Leonard's strong and unapologetic on-stage personality ("Good evening, opponents!") belied a gentle and giving spirit that all of his friends knew well, and which would occasionally be revealed in his act when he would perform against type and sing a sentimental song. A trademark joke, always getting a big laugh, was when he would take off his hat revealing his bald head and then would ask, "What did you expect, feathers?" He also referenced his weight problem in his act.
He wore a distinctive outfit: a dark suit which was purposely two sizes too small, a white narrow-brimmed hat, and horn-rimmed glasses. On one variety show, Leonard's contemporaneous popularity was demonstrated when a lookalike came onstage and did a Leonard-like schtick. Then Leonard himself walked onstage and addressed his doppelgänger
: "You've got a great future, son... but not in this business!"
Leonard made occasional recordings and motion pictures in addition to his many television appearances.
He collapsed onstage at a New York venue at age 63 and subsequently died from complications soon after undergoing heart surgery.
: not a documentary, but a compilation film consisting entirely of clips from Abbott and Costello
movies. Leonard's narration consisted entirely of wisecracks and bad jokes, offering no real information about Bud Abbott
or Lou Costello
or their films.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
who made frequent appearances on television variety
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
and game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
s.
Biography
Leonard's birth name was Leonard Lebitsky and he was sometimes called Fat Jack. As was the case with many rising comics in the 1950s, his exposure on The Tonight ShowThe Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
hosted by Jack Paar
Jack Paar
Jack Harold Paar was an author, American radio and television comedian and talk show host, best known for his stint as host of The Tonight Show from 1957 to 1962...
put Leonard over the top. He became a busy performer on television and in nightclubs. He worked steadily in the big rooms of Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
, insulting the high-rollers and losers who needed a laugh.
Leonard's comedic method was sarcastic
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.” Though irony and understatement is usually the immediate context, most authorities distinguish sarcasm from irony; however, others argue that sarcasm may or often does involve irony or employs...
and aggressive, creating an "insult humor
Insult comedy
Insult comedy is a comedy genre in which the act consists mainly of offensive insults directed at the performer's audience and/or other performers....
" genre which anticipated Don Rickles
Don Rickles
Donald Jay "Don" Rickles is an American stand-up comedian and actor. A frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Rickles has acted in comedic and dramatic roles, but is best known as an insult comic....
. (Appropriately, a Friars' Club roast in honor of Rickles was emceed by Jack E. Leonard, who introduced Rickles as "a man who's been doing my act for about 12 years now!") Jack E. Leonard's strong and unapologetic on-stage personality ("Good evening, opponents!") belied a gentle and giving spirit that all of his friends knew well, and which would occasionally be revealed in his act when he would perform against type and sing a sentimental song. A trademark joke, always getting a big laugh, was when he would take off his hat revealing his bald head and then would ask, "What did you expect, feathers?" He also referenced his weight problem in his act.
He wore a distinctive outfit: a dark suit which was purposely two sizes too small, a white narrow-brimmed hat, and horn-rimmed glasses. On one variety show, Leonard's contemporaneous popularity was demonstrated when a lookalike came onstage and did a Leonard-like schtick. Then Leonard himself walked onstage and addressed his doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
: "You've got a great future, son... but not in this business!"
Leonard made occasional recordings and motion pictures in addition to his many television appearances.
He collapsed onstage at a New York venue at age 63 and subsequently died from complications soon after undergoing heart surgery.
Discography
- "Rock and Roll for Kids Over Sixteen", Vik LX-1080 mono (1957)
- "How to Lose Weight with Fat Jack" (1964)
- "Scream on Someone You Love Today" (1967)
Legacy
Leonard narrated the theatrical release The World of Abbott and CostelloThe World of Abbott and Costello
The World of Abbott and Costello is a 1965 American compilation film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:This film is a plotless compilation of scenes from eighteen films that Abbott and Costello made for Universal Pictures between 1941 and 1955. Comedian Jack E...
: not a documentary, but a compilation film consisting entirely of clips from Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
movies. Leonard's narration consisted entirely of wisecracks and bad jokes, offering no real information about Bud Abbott
Bud Abbott
William Alexander "Bud" Abbott was an American actor, producer and comedian. He is best remembered as the straight man of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Lou Costello.-Early life:...
or Lou Costello
Lou Costello
Louis Francis "Lou" Costello was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott...
or their films.
External links
- Official website
- Radiotapes.com Aircheck of Jack E. Leonard on WLOL-AM Radio (Minneapolis, MN) from approximately 1960.