Jack Benny

Many wrestling fans of today's era of were not around when the Jack Benny program was on the television screens. His energetic humor and portrayal of the cheapest man in the universe made him a very loved man in the entertainment industry.

Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky on February 14, 1894 in Waukegan, Illinois. At age 14, he began to play violin on the vaudeville circuits for $8 a week and was soon asked by Minnie Marx to join the 4 Marx Brothers as their permanent accompanist on the road. Benny's parents refused to let Jack go on the road and foiled his plans for stardom.

In 1917, Jack left show business briefly to join the Navy, but, even then, he often entertained the troops. One evening, his violin performance was booed by the troops, so he began telling Navy jokes on stage. He was a big hit, and earned himself a reputation as a comedian as well as a musician.

In 1922, Jack met Sadie Marks, and it began a love affair that lasted in their marriage until his death in 1974. She chose the name Mary Livingstone for a stage name and was his collaborator throughout most of his career.

From 1932 until the advent of television, the Jack Benny radio program was a weekly must-do for most Americans. From 1932 to 1948, he was on NBC, and then, from 1948 until 1955, on CBS. He was consistently among the highest rated programs during most of his run.

Benny was a character that was everything that the real Jack Benny was not. The image he portrayed was cheap, petty, vain and self-congratulatory. He would set himself up as a foil to the others in his cast to draw laughter at his expense. He was a loveable man that once said, "I don't care who gets the laughs on my show as long as it is a funny program.

Certainly, there was the cast, which included his wife Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson, Phil Harris, Dennis Day and, of course, Eddie Anderson, who portrayed Rochester, his valet-chauffer. Sheldon Leonard and Joseph Kearns, Verna Felton and the man of 1000 voices, Mel Blanc, were also weekly cast members that made the programs enjoyable to listen to.

Some of the early radio sponsors were Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Chevrolet, General Tire, Grape Nuts and Jell-O. Jack also had the American Tobacco Company, makers of Lucky Strike cigarettes, as his sponsor during 1944 to 1945.

A master of the carefully timed, pregnant pause, Benny and his writers used it to set up what is popularly (but incorrectly) believed to be the longest laugh in radio history. It climaxed an episode (broadcast March 28, 1948) in which Benny borrowed a neighbor's Oscar and was returning home when accosted by a mugger. After asking for a match to light a cigarette, the mugger demanded, "Don't make a move, this is a stickup--now come on, your money or your life!" Benny paused, and the studio audience--knowing his skinflint character--laughed. The robber then repeated his demand: "Look, bud! I said your money or your life!" And that's when Benny snapped back, without a break, "I'm thinking it over!" This time, the audience laughed louder and longer than they had during the pause.

The television version of The Jack Benny Program ran from 1950 to 1965. The show appeared infrequently during its first two years on TV and then ran every fourth week for the next two years. For the 1953-1954 season, half the episodes were live and half were filmed during the summer, to allow him to continue doing his radio show. From 1955 to 1960, it appeared every other week, and, from 1960 to 1965, it was seen weekly.

Many great stars were guests on Jack's television program on a regular basis. Close friends like George Burns and Gracie Allen, Groucho Marx and even Milton Berle were among hundreds of special guests seen doing stand up comedy with Jack on his program.

In October 1974, Jack had to cancel a performance in Dallas after suffering a dizzy spell. Tests a few months later discovered that Jack had inoperable pancreatic cancer. He chose to spend his final days at home and was visited by celebrities such as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson.

Jack Benny gave us vaudeville, radio and television as well as movies to keep America laughing. He went on USO tours and entertained troops during the World War II years. He entertained Presidents, like Harry Truman and Richard Nixon, at the White House. He was a friend to anyone that befriended him. He was also a huge philanthropist and donated a huge volume of his old radio program transcripts to the building in Waukegan, Illinois that bears his name, "The Jack Benny Center."

Jack was honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; his hand and footprints, as well as his signature, are interred at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. He won an Academy Award for "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." He was actually preparing himself for “The Sunshine Boys” when his health failed, and he was replaced by his friend George Burns.

He was also honored with a Peabody award and was a member of the Elks, as well as Zeta Beta Tau Brothers and member of the Hillcrest Round Table.

He gave of himself until he could no more. I am happy that I knew this great icon of the entertainment industry. May the fantastic memories that you made for all America be remembered and cherished for another 100 years to come.

Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky) died December 26, 1974, surrounded by his family and friends.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee