Actor, Comedian. Born Richard Schulefand in Buffalo, New York. He made his television debut in a support role in Judy Holliday's 'Sunday in Town' in 1954. He appeared in his first feature film in 1956's 'The Opposite Sex', followed by back to back releases of 'The Wizard of Baghdad' and 'Wake Me When It's Over' opposite Ernie Kovacs in 1960. He made his Broadway bow in 1962's extremely short running 'The Egg', which was quickly followed by a role in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. One of his most memorable characterizations came with the all star comedy 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' in which, as Sylvester, he chewed up the scenery for a scene stealing performance. Perhaps the role he is best remembered for, however, was in 1968's 'The Producers' in which he played Lorenzo St. DuBois, the hippy dippy Hitler in the play within the film. He continued to appear in films including 'Love at First Bite' in 1979, 'The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud' in 1984, and 'Maid to Order' in 1987; and appeared in numerous television roles on shows like 'Magnum, P.I.'; 'The Love Boat'; and 'Amazing Stories' among others, but he preferred performing his one-man stage show, 'The Second Greatest Entertainer In the World', which contained a mix of songs, sketches, satire, philosophy, and pantomime and for which he was nominated for a 1978 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. In 1987, while performing at the University of California at San Diego, Shawn collapsed on the stage during a political sketch in which he had promised not to lie down on the job. The audience thinking his collapse was part of the act did not at first notice anything was wrong. Finally, Shawn was approached and it became apparent the collapse was no act. Paramedics responded to the scene. The following day, the San Diego Union confirmed that Shawn had suffered a fatal heart attack on stage.
Actor, Comedian. Born Richard Schulefand in Buffalo, New York. He made his television debut in a support role in Judy Holliday's 'Sunday in Town' in 1954. He appeared in his first feature film in 1956's 'The Opposite Sex', followed by back to back releases of 'The Wizard of Baghdad' and 'Wake Me When It's Over' opposite Ernie Kovacs in 1960. He made his Broadway bow in 1962's extremely short running 'The Egg', which was quickly followed by a role in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. One of his most memorable characterizations came with the all star comedy 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' in which, as Sylvester, he chewed up the scenery for a scene stealing performance. Perhaps the role he is best remembered for, however, was in 1968's 'The Producers' in which he played Lorenzo St. DuBois, the hippy dippy Hitler in the play within the film. He continued to appear in films including 'Love at First Bite' in 1979, 'The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud' in 1984, and 'Maid to Order' in 1987; and appeared in numerous television roles on shows like 'Magnum, P.I.'; 'The Love Boat'; and 'Amazing Stories' among others, but he preferred performing his one-man stage show, 'The Second Greatest Entertainer In the World', which contained a mix of songs, sketches, satire, philosophy, and pantomime and for which he was nominated for a 1978 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. In 1987, while performing at the University of California at San Diego, Shawn collapsed on the stage during a political sketch in which he had promised not to lie down on the job. The audience thinking his collapse was part of the act did not at first notice anything was wrong. Finally, Shawn was approached and it became apparent the collapse was no act. Paramedics responded to the scene. The following day, the San Diego Union confirmed that Shawn had suffered a fatal heart attack on stage.
Bio by: Iola
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