Jerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor and the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke. Van Dyke began his stand-up comedy career while still in high school in Danville, and was already a veteran of strip joints and nightclubs by 1952. Performing the "Jerry Van Dyke Show," through the mid-fifties, Van Dyke spent the next decade as a regular face on hit shows such as "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Judy Garland Show" - where he was given the astounding task of insulting Judy - he was also given hosting chores on the game show "Picture This" and movie audiences saw him in supporting roles in the films "McLintock!" and "The Courtship of Eddie's Father."
Eager to capitalize on his exposure, CBS had made plans to set him up in his own series. After turning down the role of Gilligan in "Gilligan's Island," and the chance to replace Don Knotts on "The Andy Griffith Show" (both moves he would later regret), he accepted the lead role in the outlandish and short-lived "My Mother the Car." After the show's failure, Van Dyke continued to work steadily in supporting roles in television and film throughout the rest of the decade before returning to stand-up comedy virtually full time in the 70s. He spent much of the decade touring Playboy Clubs around the country, and headlining at venues in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City, returning infrequently to television for guest appearances. In 1989 Jerry Van Dyke began entertaining a new generation of fans with his work as the beloved, yet befuddled assistant coach on the long running series "Coach," for which he received four consecutive Emmy nominations.
Jerry Van Dyke continues to make frequent television appearances and perform stand up comedy in major venues around the country.
The entertainment career of comedian and musician Gary Mule Deer has spanned a period of 30 years, and has included over 300 television appearances and nearly every major concert stage in the country. After a slew of day jobs in his native South Dakota, Gary decided that show business appeared to be the ideal job to get into because he could sleep late. He took up guitar and after one lesson, Gary learned around 30 Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly songs in the Key of E and combined them with some deadpan humor, influenced by his comedy hero Jack Benny. Within a few weeks he was entertaining in the local bars around the Black Hills. Later, he and four other musicians formed a rock and roll band called The Vaqueros who opened for some famous rock and roll bands such as The Ventures, The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The Everly Brothers. After the break-up of The Vaqueros, Gary and his roommate, Steve Martin, began to write what would be the basis of their comedy acts for years to come, making them two of the most avant-garde comics around, with their off-the-wall prop humor, combined with Gary's guitar and Steve's banjo music. Now, Gary has just finished two new CD's which are available now: A music CD with his Duck and Cover Band entitled, "Gary Mule Deer & The Duck and Cover Band" and a music and comedy CD entitled "Gary Mule Deer Live!"
Entertainer, impressionist and comic, Fred Travalena is recognized not only as a variety performer, but a television star, actor of many films, a singer and songwriter/lyricist and entertainer who's name will go down in history as one of the best of our time. Fred recently returned from a USO Tour where he entertained our troops in the Balkans and Austria, where he performed at the US Embassy in Vienna. Building a world out of entertainment, Fred has delighted audiences worldwide throughout his multi-faceted career with his characterizations of highly visible public figures and has earned nicknames such as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" and "Mr. Everybody."Ââ„¢ Fred is honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
And rounding out the COMEDY TONIGHT! Team is the irrepressible Unknown Comic, aka Murray Langston. He began his showbiz career in the 70s appearing on the venerable Laugh-In as a Fork, a Tube of Toothpaste and a Grandfather Clock. This did not lead to instant fame, so Langston got odd jobs while trying to break into the comedy scene at a club owned by Redd Foxx. This brought guest shots on many shows of the day, including the Sonny & Cher show. After over 100 appearances there, he moved on becoming a regular guest comic actor in a variety of shows, and opening the nightclub restaurant, Show Biz, that became the springboard for such famous comics as David Letterman, Gallagher and Michael Keaton.
It was at this point that the Gong Show premiered, and Langston, short of cash, signed up to be a contestant. He didn't want his friends to know, so in order to be unrecognized, he stuck a plain brown bag on his head. And so the Unknown Comic was born. The character became an instant hit, appearing on more than 150 Gong shows, and then going on the road to Las Vegas, Reno and Tahoe, plus making the rounds on the talk show circuit. Recent years have found Langston hosting TV comedy shows, appearing in films and releasing comedy CDs, while appearing live around the country.
Don't miss your chance to see these masters of comedy perform at the McCallum Theatre Sunday, February 11 at 7pm. With an unerring sense of razzle-dazzle showmanship, these seasoned veterans of comedy will have you rolling in the aisles and out of your seat!
Tickets for the Comedy Tonight! Starring Jerry Van Dyke, Gary Mule Deer, Fred Travelena and The Unknown Comic on Sunday, February 11 at 7pm, are on sale now. Ticket prices are $75/55/45/35. -- www.mccallumtheatre.com
Posted January 31st, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
