Alan King

Alan King (December 26, 1927 – May 9, 2004), born Irwin Alan Kniberg, was an American comedian known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants. King became well-known as a Jewish comedian and satirist. He appeared in a number of movies and television shows. King wrote several books, produced films, and appeared in plays. In later years, he helped many philanthropic causes. He died of lung cancer on May 9, 2004.

Personal life

In the 1960s, King's performances in Las Vegas led him to face up to a gambling addiction that made him limit his performances in Las Vegas. In the 1970s, King discovered one of his sons was addicted to drugs and turned him in to the police. King realized he had neglected his family and began spending more time at home.

Related Topics:
1960s - Las Vegas - Gambling - Addiction - 1970s - Addicted to drugs

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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 Sands 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 in Las Vegas called the Alan King Tennis Classic. He also started the Toyota Comedy Festival.

Related Topics:
Charity - Jerusalem - Sands Point, New York - Dramatic arts - Brandeis University - Tennis - Toyota

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A life-long cigar smoker, King was forced to quit smoking in 1992 after cancer led to the removal of half his jaw. The cancer eventually returned. King died at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on May 9th, 2004, after succumbing to lung cancer. He was 76.

Related Topics:
Cigar - 1992

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