‘Tonight Show’ Favorite, Comedian David Brenner Dies At 78

NY CBS Global ^ | March 15, 2014

[COUNTrecount]

Comedian David Brenner passed away Saturday, a spokesman for his family said. He was 78.

Jeff Abraham, who was Brenner’s publicist, said the “Tonight Show” favorite died Saturday afternoon at his home in New York City.

The gangly, toothy Brenner made more than 150 appearances as a guest and substitute host on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” starting in the 1970s.

The exposure turned the former documentary filmmaker into a hot comedian.

Brenner was a regular on other TV talk shows and game shows and starred in four HBO comedy specials. He also briefly hosted his own syndicated talk show in 1987.

Howard Stern tweeted about Brenner Saturday following the news of his passing, saying “Keep David in your thoughts. Great guy who was always encouraging and in my corner. I am so sad.”

Brenner continued to work steadily doing standup shows. A four-day gig last December included a New Year’s Eve show at a casino-resort in King of Prussia, Pa.

[Steve_Seattle]

"LostInBayport"

Is your tag a reference to the old Hardy Boys stories? The Disney version of "The Tower Treasure" ("The Applegate Treasure") is DVD comfort food for me.

[workerbee]

There goes another bit of my youth. R.I.P. David.

No kidding. It’s getting scary.

Dittos. I couldn't believe he was 78. Seems like I "just saw him" on the Tonight Show....

[The Cajun]

Like a lot of folks here, I can't believe he was 78.

R.I.P. Mr. Brenner, you gave me a bunch of laughs.

[LostInBayport]

Is your tag a reference to the old Hardy Boys stories? The Disney version of "The Tower Treasure" ("The Applegate Treasure") is DVD comfort food for me.

Yes it is! The books were a great part of my childhood (still have them). And I did see the Applegate Treasure on cable many years ago. I had no idea it was on DVD. Amazon here I come...

[Publius]

Gold, dubloons, and pieces of eight,
Handed down to Applegate...

[Publius]

Leslie MacFarlane, who ghost-wrote most of the first 26 books, wrote an autobiography in 1977 titled The Ghost of the Hardy Boys. It's one of the funniest biographies I've ever read.

[LostInBayport]

That is one of those songs that will play in your head forever!

[Carriage Hill]

Pancreatic cancer:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2014/mar/15/sad-day-comedians-lament-loss-irreverent-legend-da/

[vladimir998]

“Dittos. I couldn’t believe he was 78. Seems like I “just saw him” on the Tonight Show....”

I too was shocked that he was 78. I also don’t remember hearing that he married Tai Babilonia - now there’s a blast from the past. I still remember how sad it was that she and Randy Gardner could not perform in the 1980 Olympics pair figure skating competition because Gardner suffered an injury in practice.

This May will mark 22 years since Johnny Carson retired. It’s been 9 years since Carson died and almost 5 years since Ed McMahon died. Where have the years gone?

[latina4dubya]

And I had no idea I am 63. :-( Tempus Fuget.

indeed!

[COUNTrecount]

Thanks

[joy361]

David Brenner I will always remember as my 'first' grown up nightclub act that I saw when I turned 18. Can't remember much of the act, but I know I loved it.
Nice memory :) RIP David

[elcid1970]

Reading of his passing, I learned a new term: “observational comedy”. Kind of like Dave Barry.

David Brenner will be missed. Godspeed!

[Steve_Seattle]

"Yes it is! The books were a great part of my childhood (still have them). And I did see the Applegate Treasure on cable many years ago. I had no idea it was on DVD. Amazon here I come..."

Well, I am glad I was a conduit for you to re-establish an old connection. I have watched the Hardy Boys DVD a couple of dozen times, much to the amusement of my understanding and tolerant girlfriend, who is Filipino and did not know anything about the Hardy Boys.

[cricket]

Only the ‘celebrities’ will be left. - if they even last, that is. Not that anyone cares. . .

[JohnnyP]

He was a pool player, opened Amsterdam Billiards in NYC. I play pool, my youtube name is “strokemaster”.

[12th_Monkey]

thats what I mean, i was giving the most recent example first.

[Lockbar]

Saw him live in a double billing with Melissa Manchester at the original MGM Grand back in 1981. Held my nose during the Manchester part of the show, laughed my ass off during the Brenner part. He really was a funny and likeable guy. As others have said, stories like these make me feel very old.

[Qiviut]

Thinking the same thing ..... it’s getting lonely out here.