Jackie Vernon

Jackie Vernon (born Ralph Veroni on March 29, 1924; died November 10, 1987) was a stand-up comedian, actor and voice artist.

Related Topics:
March 29 - 1924 - November 10 - 1987 - Comedian

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He was known for his gentle and low-key delivery, and self-deprecating humor. His signature opening line was, "To look at me now, it's hard to believe I was once considered a dull guy."

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He came up with unique bits, such as his ultimately-tragic attempt to turn a watermelon into a housepet.

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He liked to quote an ersatz philosopher named Sig Sakowitz with the unexplainable motto, "A wet bird never flies at night". There actually was a Sig Sakowitz, a Chicago-based radio talk show host.

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One of his early bits was the "Vacation Slide Show". There were no slides visible, they were presumably offscreen as he described them, using a hand-clicker to advance to each "slide":

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:(click) Here I am, tossing coins at the toll booth.

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:(click) Here I am, under the car, looking for the coins!

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:(click) Here I am, picking up a hitchhiker.

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:(click) Here I am, hitchhiking!

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He also told this story, an inspiration to scam artists and "phishers" everywhere:

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:One day I saw an ad in the paper that said, "Send me a dollar and I'll tell you how I make money." I sent the guy a dollar. I got a postcard back that said, "Thanks for the dollar. This is how I make money!"

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Jackie was once a trumpet player, and often carried a trumpet with him as a prop during his standup routines. As with Henny Youngman and his violin, it was seldom actually played.

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He was a popular figure on the Ed Sullivan Show and other variety shows. He often appeared on the "Celebrity Roasts" that were a staple of 1970s television.

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He is perhaps best remembered today, as the voice of the title character in the Christmas television show Frosty the Snowman, which has been broadcast regularly since its debut in 1969.

Related Topics:
Christmas - Television - Frosty the Snowman - 1969

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Like Frosty himself, Jackie was a portly man. He died at age 63 from a heart attack.

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