Foster Brooks
'Match Game' comedian known as 'Lovable Lush'
|
More Articles:
|
The comic, who appeared as a panelist on "Match Game" in the 1970s and "Circus of the Stars" in 1979, had a pacemaker and died Friday at his Encino home from apparent heart trouble, according to family friend Milton Metz.
"He was a great clown," Metz said. "The 'Lovable Lush' act was funny because he always tried to look so dignified, he made it look like he was trying to be sober."
The bearded, silver-maned Brooks had supporting roles in comedies such as "The Villain" (1979), "Oddballs" and "Cannonball Run II" (both 1984).
He also co-starred on the Robin Williams sitcom "Mork & Mindy" for one season in 1981.
Brooks would frequently appear on the Las Vegas stage or as a talkshow guest and pretend to be drunk, stumbling about the stage and swallowing burps while he interacted with those around him.
He also was a regular fixture at celebrity roasts.
Born in Louisville, Ky., in 1912, Brooks was a disc jockey on a local radio station. He moved to Hollywood and took background roles in television Westerns and sitcoms such as "The Munsters" and "Bewitched" before honing his drunk act and becoming a regular on talkshows.
Brooks is survived by his second wife, Terry, and a daughter.
