Harry Einstein
| Harry Einstein | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 6, 1904 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died |
November 23, 1958 (aged 54) Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Genres | Stand-Up, Dark Comedy |
| Spouse |
Thelma Leeds (1937-1958; his death) |
| Children |
Charles Einstein Albert Brooks Bob Einstein Clifford Einstein |
Harry Einstein (May 6, 1904 – November 23, 1958), known professionally by a multitude of pseudonyms, most commonly Parkyakarkus, was an American comedian, writer, and character actor. He became famous as the "Greek" chef Nick Parkyakarkus on the Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson radio programs, and later on a program of his own. He appeared in eleven films (as Parkyakarkas, or a close variant) from 1936 to 1945.
Personal life
Einstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Sarah (née Klayman), who was born in Russia, and Charles Einstein, a pawnbroker from Austria. He married actress Thelma Leeds on February 7, 1937.[1]
He started out a newspaper reporter in his native Boston, coming into comedy via Eddie Cantor's radio show. His own show soon followed, along with roles in films. He met his wife, Thelma, while making New Faces of 1937. In time, Einstein became so inextricably linked with his character that he attempted—unsuccessfully—to change his name legally to Parkyakarkus. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bears his character's name instead of his own.[2]
Einstein had made good real estate investments and for years was not dependent on performing for his income. His ill health had made him limit his comedic appearances to Friars' Club roasts.[1]
Meet Me at Parky's
As a result of his popularity on the Cantor program, Einstein began a radio show of his own in 1945 called Meet Me at Parky's, featuring the same character, Greek restaurant owner Nick Parkyakarkus. It ran for two seasons on NBC before moving to the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1947 for a third and final season.[3] Einstein wrote most of the program's scripts himself.[4] Sheldon Leonard, Elliott Lewis and Betty Rhodes were part of the cast, with Rhodes as the female singer as well as supporting work.[5]
Death on stage
Einstein died from a heart attack at a Friars Club of Beverly Hills Roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on November 23, 1958, in Los Angeles, California.[6] He had just finished his testimonial to a house full of laughter and Art Linkletter's remark, "How come anyone as funny as this isn't on the air?", when Einstein slumped onto Milton Berle's lap at the event. Berle asked "Is there a doctor in the house?"; this remark was met with laughter, as the crowd was unaware that Berle was being serious.[1] Emcee Art Linkletter[7] then directed crooner Tony Martin to sing a song to divert the crowd's attention; Martin's unfortunate choice was "There's No Tomorrow." According to the Los Angeles Times account, Desi Arnaz said: "This offering meant so much to me. Now it means nothing. Please, everyone, pray to your God that he will be saved."[1] Lucille Ball then came to the microphone and managed to say, "I can say nothing", through her tears.[2]
He was carried backstage where five specialists who were Friars Club members worked feverishly to save his life. One doctor used his pen knife to make an incision in Einstein's chest for open heart massage. Another used the ends of an electric cord as a makeshift defibrillator to shock his heart back to life; only the left side responded with a feeble rhythm. The doctors continued the open heart massage while waiting for the rescue squad. Despite two hours of intense medical effort, Einstein, age 54, was pronounced dead at 1:20 AM local time. The news of his death was the Los Angeles Times headline on the following day.[1][2][8]
Family
His children include the comedians Albert Brooks and Bob Einstein (a.k.a. Super Dave Osborne), and advertising creative/actor Clifford Einstein. By his first marriage to Lillian Anshen, he was the father of Charles Einstein, a writer.[1]
In popular culture
- In the 1937 Warner Brothers cartoon Porky's Hero Agency, Porky Pig fought Medusa as a Greek hero named "Porkykarkus".
See also
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harry Parke. |
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Parky Einstein Succumbs After Pocketknife Surgery". The Victoria Advocate. 25 November 1958. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Hollywood Walk of Fame-Parkyakarkas". LA Times. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ↑ "Meet Me at Parky's". OTRRpedia. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ↑ Dunning, John, ed. (1998). On the Air:The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 445. ISBN 0199840458. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ↑ "Meet Me at Parky's" (PDF). Radio Album. 1948. pp. 54–55. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ↑ The "Happy Deaths" of Dick Shawn and Parkyakarkus
- ↑ "CNN Transcript - Larry King Live: Art Linkletter Discusses His Career in Television - June 30, 2000". cnn.com.
- ↑ "Comic Parkyakarkus Dies at Friars Club Dinner". Los Angeles Times. 23 November 1958. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
External links
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