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Shecky Greene, the legendary standup comedian known for his long tenure as a Las Vegas headliner and for working with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, died Dec. 31 at his home, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He was 97.
Greene was a regular on the TV talk show and guest star circuit in his 1960s and ’70s heyday, when he often sported a bowl haircut and wide-lapel leisure suits. Earlier in his career, he came to represent the epitome of the Rat Pack-adjacent fast-talking comedian in a tux, delivering lightly risque anecdotal stories, zingers and one-liners on stage.
Greene was known for his many appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and for working as the opening act for Sinatra in Miami and Presley in Las Vegas. During the 1962-63 season, he played a recurring character on the World War II-set ABC drama “Combat.” His other TV appearances included “Love, American Style,” “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Fall Guy,” “The A-Team,” “Trapper John, MD,” “Roseanne” and “Mad About You.” His prominent film roles include “Splash,” Mel Brooks’ “History of the World: Part I” and “Tony Rome.”
He guested on more than 60 episodes of “The Tonight Show,” including several outings as a guest host replacement for Carson. He also made a 1957 appearance on the show during Jack Paar’s run behind the desk. Greene also co-hosted and guest hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” and “The Merv Griffin Show.” He was a regular on game shows and variety shows ranging from “Tattletales,” “Hollywood Squares” and “Match Game” to “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.”
Greene hailed from the Chicago area and got his start as a comedian in Milwaukee while attending college, according to Greene’s official website. Martha Raye recruited him to her nightclub in Miami. He later returned to Chicago to work the famed Chez Paree nightclub.
Greene had lived in Las Vegas since the 1950s. His long association with Sin City began in 1954 when he performed on the bill with singer Dorothy Shay at the New Frontier casino, according to the Review-Journal. His last performances in the city were in 2011, per the newspaper.
In 1978, Greene took out a full-page ad in weekly Variety to celebrate the signing of a rich new contract with Las Vegas’ Sands Hotel and Casino. “It has taken me 30 years of trial and error, triumphs and failures, good fortune and adversities to finally reach the apex of the first love of my profession — night clubs,” he wrote.
Greene’s survivors include his wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greeene, and five adult children.
From the Aug. 30, 1978, edition of weekly Variety
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