Comedian, Actor, and Voice Artist. Often referred to as "The King of Deadpan," he was known for his gentle, low-key delivery and self-deprecating humor. Born Ralph Verrone in New York City, New York, he performed comedy at various locations, mostly strip clubs, in the 1950s until he was discovered in a Winslow, Ontario night club in 1963 by television personality Steve Allen, who invited him to appear on his show "Celebrity Talent Scouts." He then occasionally worked as an opening act for singer July Garland and appeared regularly on the NBC television talk show "The Merv Griffin Show," the Saturday night CBS television "The Ed Sullivan Show," and the NBC daytime television game show "The Hollywood Squares." Additionally, he did the voice of the title character of the popular Rankin-Bass television special "Frosty the Snowman" (1969), which has been broadcast annually on CBS since its debut. He later voiced 'Frosty' in two more Rankin-Bass specials, "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" (1976) and "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" (1979). His film credits include "The Monitors" (1969), "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" (1971), "Mafia On The Bounty" (1980), "The Woman Inside" (1981), "Microwave Massacre" (1983), and "Amazon Women On The Moon" (1987). His television credits include "The Leslie Uggams Show," "The Jackie Gleason Show," "Night Gallery," "A Touch of Grace," "CHIPS," and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." He died of a heart attack at his home in Hollywood, California at the age of 63.
Comedian, Actor, and Voice Artist. Often referred to as "The King of Deadpan," he was known for his gentle, low-key delivery and self-deprecating humor. Born Ralph Verrone in New York City, New York, he performed comedy at various locations, mostly strip clubs, in the 1950s until he was discovered in a Winslow, Ontario night club in 1963 by television personality Steve Allen, who invited him to appear on his show "Celebrity Talent Scouts." He then occasionally worked as an opening act for singer July Garland and appeared regularly on the NBC television talk show "The Merv Griffin Show," the Saturday night CBS television "The Ed Sullivan Show," and the NBC daytime television game show "The Hollywood Squares." Additionally, he did the voice of the title character of the popular Rankin-Bass television special "Frosty the Snowman" (1969), which has been broadcast annually on CBS since its debut. He later voiced 'Frosty' in two more Rankin-Bass specials, "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" (1976) and "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" (1979). His film credits include "The Monitors" (1969), "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" (1971), "Mafia On The Bounty" (1980), "The Woman Inside" (1981), "Microwave Massacre" (1983), and "Amazon Women On The Moon" (1987). His television credits include "The Leslie Uggams Show," "The Jackie Gleason Show," "Night Gallery," "A Touch of Grace," "CHIPS," and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." He died of a heart attack at his home in Hollywood, California at the age of 63.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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