Alan King (comedian)
| Alan King | |
|---|---|
King in 1966
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| Born |
Irwin Alan Kniberg December 26, 1927 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 9, 2004 (aged 76) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, film producer |
| Years active | 1955–2004 |
| Spouse(s) | Jeanette Sprung (1947–2004; his death; 3 children) |
Alan King (born Irwin Alan Kniberg; December 26, 1927 – May 9, 2004) was an American actor and comedian known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants. King became well known as a Jewish comedian and satirist. He was also a serious actor who appeared in a number of movies and television shows. King wrote several books, produced films, and appeared in plays. In later years, he helped many philanthropic causes.
The youngest of 8 children, King was born in New York City, New York, the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants Minnie (née Solomon) and Bernard Kniberg, a handbag cutter. He spent his first years on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later, King's family moved to Brooklyn. King used humor to survive in the tough neighborhoods. As a child, King performed impersonations on street corners for pennies.
When he was fourteen, King performed "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime" on the radio program Major Bowes Amateur Hour. He lost first prize, but was invited to join a nationwide tour. At fifteen, King dropped out of high school to perform comedy at the Hotel Gradus in the Catskill Mountains. After one joke that made fun of the hotel's owner, King was fired; however, he spent the remainder of that summer and the one that followed as M.C. at Forman's New Prospect Hotel in Mountaindale, New York. He later worked in Canada in a burlesque house while also fighting as a professional boxer. He won twenty straight fights before losing. Nursing a broken nose, King decided to quit boxing and focus on his comedy career. King began working as a doorman at the popular nightclub Leon and Eddie's while performing comedy under the last name of the boxer who beat him, "King".
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