Charlie Callas

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Charles "Charlie" Callas (born December 20, 1924 in Brooklyn , New York City , New York , † January 27, 2011 in Las Vegas , Nevada ) was an American actor and comedian .

Life

Callas served in the United States Army during World War II . He then began a career as a drummer and toured with the bands of Tommy Dorsey and Claude Thornhill . In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1982, he stated that his fellow musicians at the time had recognized his talent as a comedian and encouraged him to embark on this new career path. From 1962 he appeared as a stand-up comedian . He made his first television appearance the following year. He was so successful that he was hired by Frank Sinatra for his opening act. Both performed together until the 1980s. Through his many appearances on television shows such as The Merv Griffin Show , Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show and Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts , he met many other comedians and filmmakers who also gave him roles in feature films. After meeting Jerry Lewis , he got a role in his next film A Frogman on a Fishing Line . He was also seen in numerous Mel Brooks films and played the role of the eponymous monster in both the original English version and the German dubbed version of Disney's Elliot, the Smirking Monster.

Between 1975 and 1978 he played alongside Eddie Albert , Robert Wagner and Sharon Gless in the crime series Die Zwei with 71 episodes of the role of Malcom Argos . He later appeared in a guest role in Wagner's hit series Hart but cordially and in Cagney & Lacey with Sharon Gless. He has also been featured frequently on television shows such as The Hollywood Squares as a prominent guest .

Callas was married and had two sons; his wife died in 2010.

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Callas, Charlie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Callas, Charles (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American actor and comedian
DATE OF BIRTH December 20, 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH Brooklyn , New York City , New York
DATE OF DEATH January 27, 2011
Place of death Las Vegas , Nevada