Charlie Callas
13 years 3 months ago #1
by riada
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
Charlie Callas was created by riada
Charlie Callas (December 20, 1924 – January 27, 2011) was an American comedian and actor most commonly known for his work with Mel Brooks, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin and his many stand-up appearances on television talk shows in the 1970s. He was also known for his role as Malcolm Argos, the restaurant owner and former con man, on the Eddie Albert and Robert Wagner TV series Switch.
Callas was born in Brooklyn, New York as Charlie Callias and served in the United States Army during World War II. He began his career as a drummer playing in groups with Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill, and Buddy Rich.
He dropped a vowel from his legal name, Callias, when he took to the stage.
Callas was known for his rubbery face, trademark nervous chattering and dark comedy. Callas made over 50 appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but was permanently banned by Carson himself because of one bad segment. On the September 21, 1982 broadcast, Callas' routine was going poorly, and Carson made a whistle-sound resembling that of a bomb dropping. Hoping to get a laugh, Callas shoved Carson off his chair. An annoyed Carson told him on the air that he would never appear on his show again, a joking threat that became reality.
He also appeared on The Andy Williams Show at various times as "Captain Weird", a parody of superheroes. Callas' only known dramatic role was that of a restaurant owner, Malcolm Argos, in the 1970s show, Switch. He was also a regular performer on The ABC Comedy Hour in 1972.
Callas, a resident of Las Vegas, died Thursday evening of natural causes in a hospice, said his son Mark.
Callas was born in Brooklyn, New York as Charlie Callias and served in the United States Army during World War II. He began his career as a drummer playing in groups with Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill, and Buddy Rich.
He dropped a vowel from his legal name, Callias, when he took to the stage.
Callas was known for his rubbery face, trademark nervous chattering and dark comedy. Callas made over 50 appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but was permanently banned by Carson himself because of one bad segment. On the September 21, 1982 broadcast, Callas' routine was going poorly, and Carson made a whistle-sound resembling that of a bomb dropping. Hoping to get a laugh, Callas shoved Carson off his chair. An annoyed Carson told him on the air that he would never appear on his show again, a joking threat that became reality.
He also appeared on The Andy Williams Show at various times as "Captain Weird", a parody of superheroes. Callas' only known dramatic role was that of a restaurant owner, Malcolm Argos, in the 1970s show, Switch. He was also a regular performer on The ABC Comedy Hour in 1972.
Callas, a resident of Las Vegas, died Thursday evening of natural causes in a hospice, said his son Mark.
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.