Alan King

About Alan King

Who is it?: American actor
Birth Day: December 26, 1927
Birth Place: New York City, United States
Cause of death: Lung cancer
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer, film producer
Years active: 1942–2004
Spouse(s): Jeanette Sprung (1947–2004; his death; 3 children)

Alan King

Alan King was born on December 26, 1927 in New York City, United States, is American actor. Alan King was a Jewish American actor and comedian, known for his sharp wit and angry humorous rants. His story reads like a typical American dream, a rags to riches fable—he went from being a poor high school dropout to become one of the most well loved and respected comedian of his time. He was proud of his Jewish heritage and comedian Jerry Stiller described him as a “Jewish Will Rogers.” He often joked about the annoyances of daily life and societal issues which helped him connect with his audience and endeared him to his fans. He developed a conversational style of delivering his punches and talked directly to his audience. In the words of Jerry Stiller, King was "in touch with what was happening with the world, which is what made him so funny.” The comedian opened for many celebrities like Tony Martin, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, etc. King has made several appearances on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ which increased his popularity among the masses. He was also a talented actor who starred in many movies, in both comic and serious roles. As a theatre artist he made appearances in several theatrical productions, also producing many of them. In addition to the show business, King had a deep interest in politics and became a political activist campaigning for John and Robert Kennedy.
Alan King is a member of Film & Theater Personalities

Does Alan King Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Alan King has been died on May 9, 2004(2004-05-09) (aged 76)\nNew York City, New York, U.S..

🎂 Alan King - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When Alan King die, Alan King was 76 years old.

Popular As Alan King
Occupation Film & Theater Personalities
Age 76 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born December 26, 1927 (New York City, United States)
Birthday December 26
Town/City New York City, United States
Nationality United States

🌙 Zodiac

Alan King’s zodiac sign is Capricorn. According to astrologers, Capricorn is a sign that represents time and responsibility, and its representatives are traditional and often very serious by nature. These individuals possess an inner state of independence that enables significant progress both in their personal and professional lives. They are masters of self-control and have the ability to lead the way, make solid and realistic plans, and manage many people who work for them at any time. They will learn from their mistakes and get to the top based solely on their experience and expertise.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Alan King was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rabbit enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. They’re popular, compassionate, sincere, and they like to avoid conflict and are sometimes seen as pushovers. Rabbits enjoy home and entertaining at home. Compatible with Goat or Pig.

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Biography/Timeline

1947

King married Jeanette Sprung in 1947. They had three children, Andrew, Robert, and Elainie Ray. His wife persuaded him to move to Forest Hills, Queens for their children, and later, to Great Neck, Long Island, where he lived for the rest of his life. There, he developed comedy revolving around life in suburbia. With America moving to suburbs, King's humor took off.

1950

He began opening for celebrities including Judy Garland, Patti Page, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Lena Horne and Tony Martin. When Martin was cast in the movie Hit the Deck, he suggested King for a part, which resulted in his first movie role. King played small roles in movies in the 1950s, but disliked playing stereotypical roles that he described as "always the sergeant from Brooklyn named Kowalski".

1961

Like many other Jewish comics, King worked the Catskill circuit known as the Borscht Belt. His career took off after appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Perry Como Show and The Garry Moore Show. Living just outside New York City, King was frequently available when Sullivan needed an act to fill in for a last-minute cancellation. King also became a regular guest host for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and he hosted the Oscars in 1972 and was the MC for President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. King was the long-standing host of the New York Friar's Club Celebrity roasts and also served as the club's Historian. He headlined two unsold television pilots on CBS, both titled The Alan King Show. The first aired on September 8, 1961; the second aired on July 12, 1986.

1970

Throughout his life, King was deeply involved in charity work. He founded the Alan King Medical Center in Jerusalem, raised funds for the Nassau Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children (near his home in Kings Point, New York), and established a chair in dramatic arts at Brandeis University. He also created the Laugh Well program, which sends comedians to hospitals to perform for patients. In the 1970s, King turned his passion for tennis into a pro tournament at Caesars Palace Las Vegas called the Alan King Tennis Classic, which was carried on national TV by the TVS Television Network. He also started the Toyota Comedy Festival. He was survived by his wife—appropriately a theme of one of his most famous routines—Jeanette Sprung, whom he married in 1947, and their three children.

1988

King was the first recipient (1988) of the award for American Jewish humor from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. The award was ultimately renamed in his honor.

1995

King eventually expanded his range and made a name for himself in a wide variety of films. He often portrayed Gangsters, as in Casino (1995) and Night and the City (1992), both starring Robert De Niro, as well as I, the Jury (1982) and Cat's Eye (1985). He frequently worked for Director Sidney Lumet, beginning with Bye Bye Braverman (1968) and The Anderson Tapes (1971). Lumet later cast him in a starring role in Just Tell Me What You Want (1980), a provocative comedy about a ruthless Business mogul and his TV-producer mistress (Ali MacGraw). He also played himself in an uncredited cameo in Lumet's film Prince of the City (1981).

2004

King, who smoked cigars heavily (a fact that came up in his routines from time to time), died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on May 9, 2004, from lung cancer. He was buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens. The movie Christmas with the Kranks was dedicated to his memory at the end of the credits before the 1492 Pictures logo. He is also referenced in the end credits of Rush Hour 3.

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