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Image / Violinist Jack Benny

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Title
Violinist Jack Benny
Alternative Title
Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection
Date Created and/or Issued
1967
Contributing Institution
Los Angeles Public Library
Collection
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
Rights Information
Images available for reproduction and use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/OrderingUse.html for additional information.
Description
Title supplied by cataloger.; Photograph was edited for publication purposes.
Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky on February 14, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois. He worked in vaudeville, radio and television, becoming one of the most popular comedians of his time. Benny served in the Navy during World War I and began entertaining fellow sailors playing the violin, but soon moved into standup comedy. He signed with MGM in 1929 but was let go after a few films. In 1932 he appeared on the Ed Sullivan radio show and parlayed that into a show of his own. From 1932 to 1965 The Jack Benny Program was one of the most popular shows in the country. First on radio and then television, Benny would entertain America with his character's trademark stinginess, pettiness, bad violin playing, vanity and unwillingness to age past 39 years. By all accounts, these traits were the opposite of Benny in real-life. He was an accomplished violin player, a generous boss, and a philanthropist. In 1927 he married Sadie Marks. Using the stage name Mary Livingstone, she worked with Benny on his radio and television shows. They adopted one child. After the end of his television program Benny performed stand-up comedy and appeared in TV shows and specials. He was active almost until his death, of pancreatic cancer, on December 26, 1974.
Photograph caption dated February 7, 1967 reads "Jack Benny, with his 'second best' violin, plugs Pasadena Symphony concert to be held Feb. 16." Benny is seated, looking down at his violin.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm.
Photographic prints
Identifier
00110815
Herald Examiner Collection
HE box 1155
CARL0005370623
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/32747
Subject
Benny, Jack,--1894-1974
Comedians--United States
Actors--United States
Radio personalities--United States
Violinists--United States
Violins
Men--California--Los Angeles
Los Angeles Herald-Examiner photographs
Herald-Examiner Collection photographs

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