Jack Benny

Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was a comedian, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the most prominent early stars of American radio and television. Often cited for his impeccable comic timing, Benny was an influential comedy innovator, a major architect of the modern forms of standup comedy and situation comedy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Benny grew up in Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois. His family was Jewish. He began studying the violin, an instrument that would become his trademark, when he was six. By fourteen he was playing in local dance bands, as well as in his high school orchestra, until he failed school and left for a career in vaudeville. In 1911, he was playing in the same theater as the young Marx Brothers, whose mother was so enchanted with Benny that she invited him to be their permanent accompanist. The plan was foiled by Benny's parents, who refused to let their son, then seventeen, go on the road, but it was the beginning of his long friendship with Zeppo Marx.

February 14: February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 320 days remaining, 321 in leap years....

1894: 1894 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar)....

December 26: December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. There are 5 days remaining....

Jack Benny related Images and Photos (experimental)

Jack Benny	Jack Benny c.1930s	Charley's Aunt Jack Benny Kay Francis 1941	College Holiday Mary Boland Jack Benny Gracie Allen George Burns Martha Raye 1936
Artists and Models Jack Benny 1937	Broadway Melody of 1936 Eleanor Powell Robert Taylor Jack Benny 1935	Jack	Benny Hill
Benny Hill	Jack Lord	Jack Webb	Jack Wild