Shecky Greene, Legendary Las Vegas Standup Comedian Who Worked With Sinatra and Elvis, Dies at 97

By Cynthia Littleton/Variety

Shecky Greene, the legendary standup comedian known for his long tenure as a Las Vegas headliner and for working with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, died Dec. 31 at his home, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He was 97.

Greene was a regular on the TV talk show and guest star circuit in his 1960s and ’70s heyday, when he often sported a bowl haircut and wide-lapel leisure suits. Earlier in his career, he came to represent the epitome of the Rat Pack-adjacent fast-talking comedian in a tux, delivering lightly risque anecdotal stories, zingers and one-liners on stage.

Greene was known for his many appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” and for working as the opening act for Frank Sinatra in Miami and Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. During the 1962-63 season, he played a recurring character on the World War II-set ABC drama “Combat.” His other TV appearances included “Love, American Style,” “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Fall Guy,” “The A-Team,” “Trapper John, MD,” “Roseanne” and “Mad About You.” Prominent film roles include “Splash,” Mel Brooks’ “History of the World: Part I” and “Tony Rome.”

He guested on more than 60 episodes of “The Tonight Show,” including several outings as a guest host replacement for Carson. He also made a 1957 appearance on the show during Jack Paar’s run behind the desk. Greene co-hosted or guest hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” and “The Merv Griffin Show.” He was a regular on game shows and variety shows ranging from “Tattletales,” “Hollywood Squares” and “Match Game” to “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.”

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