I can’t believe no one has mentioned...OSCAR LEVANT!
Oscar Levant was a terrific pianist, (he was close friends with George Gershwin, after Gershwin’s death, Levant became one of the finest interpreters of Gershwin’s piano works..) he was also a composer, author, comedian and actor.
He was a panelist on INFORMATION PLEASE, (a radio show in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s)..where he quickly became famous for his witticisms..he probably was a genius too.
Of course, he had serious mental problems as well..he was truly dependent on drugs to stay sane..but, in spite of all that; Levant was simply hilarious. Here’s a few of his one liners -
“There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.”
“A dollar saved is a quarter earned.”
“Happiness isn’t something you experience; it’s something you remember.”
“I’m a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy.”
“Schizophrenia beats dineing alone.”
“Once I make up my mind, I’m full of indecision.”
“Every time I look at you, I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.”
“I have given up reading books; I find it takes my mind off my self.”
“Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character.”
I was just a kid in the late 50’s..but I’ll never forget seeing Oscar Levant on THE JACK PAAR SHOW..performing Gershwin, and cracking wise.. he truly was hilarious!
Was Victor Borge his protégé?