Posted on 05/24/2008 9:02:59 PM PDT by lunarbicep
Dick Martin, the zany half of the comedy team whose "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" took television by storm in the 1960s, making stars of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin and creating such national catch-phrases as "Sock it to me!" has died. He was 86.
Martin, who went on to become one of television's busiest directors after splitting with Rowan in the late 1970s, died Saturday night of respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, family spokesman Barry Greenberg said.
"He had had some pretty severe respiratory problems for many years, and he had pretty much stopped breathing a week ago," Greenberg said.
Martin was surrounded by family and friends when he died just after 6 p.m., Greenberg said.
"Laugh-in," which debuted in January 1968, was unlike any comedy-variety show before it. Rather than relying on a series of tightly scripted song-and-dance segments, it offered up a steady, almost stream-of-consciousness run of non-sequitur jokes, political satire and madhouse antics from a cast of talented young actors and comedians that also included Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and announcer Gary Owens.
Presiding over it all were Rowan and Martin, the veteran nightclub comics whose standup banter put their own distinct spin on the show.
Like all straight men, Rowan provided the voice of reason, striving to correct his partner's absurdities. Martin, meanwhile, was full of bogus, often risque theories about life, which he appeared to hold with unwavering certainty.
that was a funny line. my friend laughed.
I think the other died a few years ago. I remember as a kid watching that show every monday night at 8PM as I recall. I was too young to know if was controversial. I just thought it was kinda funny. Wow, didn’t know he was 86. My how the years go by.
Youtube
Goldie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7BGBa6MTI
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in 1968 holiday show pt. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdXmwaZfdNA
Funny guy. Good long run. RIP, Mr. Martin !
You bet your sweet bippy. RIP Dick.
“Ladies and Gents, Laugh-In looks at the news....Here’s Dan!”
Yeah, we’re contemporaries.
The fickle Finger of Fate has caught up with Dick Martin. Thanks for the memories. Now say goodnight Dick...
RIP Dick, my prayers to you, thanks for the laughs.
I’m there Travis.
Good night Dick, it was fun.
Thanks for those links. What was risque back then is nothing now.
It makes me long for simpler times.
You bet your bippy.
He always reminded me of my oldest brother, though he was older than my brother. Sadly, we lost him a couple of years ago, too.
I remember the first time the show was on. My sisters and I were watching it, and it was novel enough that I remember the event.
It was a funny show.
Remember watching this show when I was growing up back in the UK. Wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
RIP.
WOW!! But I guess I’ve gotten older too!
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