Posted on 05/26/2023 2:06:39 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Singer Ed Ames arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the stage production "Chicago - The Musical" on January 8, 2004 at the Pantages Theatre, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Getty Images
Ed Ames, a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet who starred in TV series “Daniel Boone” in the 1960s, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 95.
Ed Ames and his brothers Vic, Joe and Gene had a hit with their version of “Rag Mop” in 1950. As a solo artist, he had hits with “Who Will Answer?,” “My Cup Runneth Over” and “Try to Remember.” In the 1950s, they had a syndicated TV program, “The Ames Brothers Show,” and 49 songs that charted before they broke up in 1963.
He then launched an acting career, which included off-Broadway performances in “The Crucible” and “The Fantasticks,” as well as a starring role on Broadway in “Carnival!” He starred with Kirk Douglas, Gene Wilder and William Daniels in the Broadway production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Although his background was Russian Jewish, Ames was cast several times as a Native American, and played Mingo, a Cherokee Indian character with a British father, for several seasons of the Fess Parker Western “Daniel Boone.”
He became known for his skill in throwing a tomahawk, and on “The Tonight Show” in 1965, he demonstrated his skill for Johnny Carson on a wood panel with an outline of a cowboy. When Ames hit the figure squarely in the groin, Carson ad-libbed: “I didn’t even know you were Jewish!” and then “Welcome to Frontier Bris.” The saucy response caused the studio audience to laugh for four minutes, which has been reported to be the longest laugh by a studio audience in television history.
He also made guest appearances on shows including “The Rifleman,” “McCloud,” “Murder She Wrote,” “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” and “Jake and the Fatman.”
Born on July 9, 1927 in Malden, Mass., Ames was the youngest of nine children, and later received a B.A. in theater and cinema arts from UCLA in 1975.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne; two children, Ronald and Sonya, seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and stepson Stephen Saviano. Another daughter, Marcella, predeceased him.
Wow! I didn’t realize he was still alive. Rest in peace Ed.
Neither did I. I loved the Ames Brothers too. Ed Ames really made the world a happier better place. It seems so long ago, a galaxy far far away, a better healthier, happier American culture. Thanks Ed!
2nd. Watched that show on old school broadcast TV as a kid.
I suppose my wife is sort of metaphorically related. She’s a descendent of Squire Boone.
Well said, I agree. RIP Ed, and thank you.
That hatchet throw on Carson was the funniest piece I ever saw on there; and I saw a ton. It ranks slightly ahead of his response to Zha-Zha Gabor’s “Would you like to pet my pussy?”
As a very young girl, I remember hearing “Try to Remember” and “My Cup Runneth Over” on the car radio. Just a couple of years later, there wasn’t anything like that. Only years later did I learn that pop music used to include music like that … before rock took over. I love rock, but I loved those gentle, well-sung melodies too.
For a long time, I thought actor Jack Palance was a ‘fifth’ Ames Brother, his physical resemblance and bold style seemed to fit right into the family mold.
I figured Jack was that Ames brother who did those one armed
Push Ups.
RIP
Never heard that version before. I was only familiar with the instrumental version by the Village Stompers.
Back when late night TV had real entertainers and funny hosts, nowadays MEH.
RIP, Mingo. Another connection to the America of my youth is gone.
Love them both. The Village Stompers’ version, an instrumental, is something I’ll never get tired of.
He was a good singer, and had some good songs. His “My Cup Runneth Over” was very good.
Thank you! That was beautiful.
Ed Ames Teaches Johnny Carson to Throw a Tomahawk
Carson: “I didn’t even know you were Jewish”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L5QC9ZJkM8
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.