Robert Klein (actor)

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Robert Klein, 2007

Robert Klein (born February 8, 1942 in New York ) is an American comedian and actor .

resume

Klein was studying drama at Yale University when he got wind of an opportunity to audition for The Second City . In a piece he wrote for the improvised book for theater groups, Klein recalls sitting in a room full of other hopeful people, including Fred Willard . Klein's audition consisted of an improvisation with Willard about two guys in a nightclub. They played well enough that both Klein and Willard were accepted into The Second City . Klein reported that another young man, Billy Dee Williams , should also be accepted, but declined.

Klein made his first major appearance in 1970 as a host on the television series Comedy Tonight . Most of the programs he performed on the series were marketed as records a few years later . His extensive programs on the Watergate Affair made him famous, especially in the 1970s. He was one of the first comedians to talk about current political events.

Klein made several appearances in comedy specials on HBO almost from the station's inception. Traditionally, he concluded these shows with the I Can't Stop My Leg program.

In 1979, Klein was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in They're Playing Our Song .

In 2006 he published his autobiography, The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue: A Child of the Fifties Looks Back .

At times he attended Alfred University.

Albums

Klein has released several albums, of which his first two were the most successful. In Child of the Fifties, he only talks about being a child of the 1950s. Since Klein was a kid in his fifties, he had a lot of material on the subject. He talks about air raid drills, Johnny Mathis music , showing condoms at high school dance nights, meeting Yankee stars, how the Yankees lost the World Series , and much more.

Filmography (selection)

He has also made numerous guest appearances on series such as Cosby's , King of Queens , Frasier and Law & Order .

Web links