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 (m. 1937; his death 1958) |
| 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. A specialist in Greek dialect comedy, 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.
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.
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 second 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.
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. Einstein wrote most of the program's scripts himself.Sheldon Leonard, Elliott Lewis and Betty Rhodes were part of the cast, with Rhodes as the female singer as well as supporting work.
Einstein had a long history of heart disease, which eventually began to limit his mobility and stamina. After his TV show was canceled, his appearances were largely confined to Friars' Club roasts. He suffered a fatal heart attack in 1958, at the age of 54, during a roast in honor of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. After Einstein delivered his monologue, emcee Art Linkletter remarked, "Every time he finishes, I ask myself, why isn't he on the air in a prime time?" Einstein turned to Milton Berle, who was seated next to him on the dais, and said, "Yeah, how come?"—then slumped into his lap. Berle's shout of "Is there a doctor in the house?" was initially thought to be a humorous ad lib, but the gravity of the situation quickly became clear.
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