It’s been a bad week for celebrities you’re surprised were still alive. First, Shirley Temple died, and now comes word, via Larry King’s Twitter (???), that the great Sid Caesar has passed away at the age of 91.
Caesar was a compulsive worker who had little gift for small talk. Boisterous when in-character, he once admitted that the most difficult part of doing his variety shows was the opening moment, when he had to appear as himself and wish the audience a good evening. Once past that awkwardness, however, Caesar rarely failed to give people a rollicking good time. (Via)
Most YOUNGSTERS probably only know Caesar from his work in Grease, but they should immediately go out and find a copy of Your Show of Shows on DVD. The legendary sketch comedy series, which aired from 1950-1954, is still hilarious, and the writing staff of Caesar, Woody Allen, Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, and Larry Gelbart might be TV’s finest. Also, Caesar looked damn good in a suit while smoking a cigar:
R.I.P.