Paul Lynde
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Paul Lynde (full name Paul Edward Lynde) (June 13, 1926 – January 10, 1982) was an American comedian and actor. He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
A noted character actor, Lynde was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and Harry McAfee, the befuddled father in Bye Bye Birdie. He was also the center square on the classic game show, Hollywood Squares.
Lynde first got recognition in the Broadway revue New Faces of 1952 in which he co-starred opposite fellow newcomers Eartha Kitt, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. One notable skit involved Lynde as a husband in crutches coming back from an African safari. The play was filmed into a movie in 1954. After the revue's run, Lynde co-starred in the short-lived sitcom Stanley opposite Buddy Hackett and Carol Burnett (both of whom were also starting out their careers in show business). After that, he became a regular on several sitcoms and variety shows such as The Perry Como Show.
Lynde did extensive voice work on animated cartoons, particularly those of Hanna-Barbera Productions. His most notable Hanna-Barbera roles were those of Sylvester Sneakly (aka "The Hooded Claw") in The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop, Mildew Wolf from The Cattanooga Cats and Laff-a-Lympics, Pertwee from Where's Huddles?, and Templeton the rat from the animated feature Charlotte's Web.
Lynde was found dead in his Beverly Hills home. The coroner who examined Lynde's body said he had the heart of an 80-year old. This condition was brought on by years of extreme substance abuse.
Lynde was gay, but despite his stereotypically flamboyant mannerisms, never publicly acknowledged his homosexuality.
Lynde is interred at Amity Cemetery in Amity, Ohio.
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Hollywood Squares quips
Q: What is a "dual purpose cow?"
Lynde: It gives milk and cookies. But I wouldn't recommend the cookies.
Q: Why do the Hells Angels wear leather?
Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles so easily.
Q: Henry Kissinger once visited Japan and went into a geisha house. What did he do while he was there?
Lynde: Negotiating for peace.
Q: What does Superman wear under his suit?
Lynde: A dickie.
Q: Why would you throw a lemon down a garbage disposal?
Lynde: Because it was very, very naughty.
Q: True or false: Roma legend has it that God made the people of the world in a large oven.
Lynde: (looks at Leslie Uggams) Looks like you were overcooked.
Q: What do you do if you are driving downhill and your brakes give out?
Lynde: Honk if you love Jesus.
Q: Can you get an elephant drunk?
Lynde: Yes, but he still won't go up to your apartment.
Q: Who are more likely to be romantically responsive. Women under thirty or women over thirty?
Lynde: I don't have a third choice?
Q: What is said to be wasted on the young?
Lynde: A spanking.
TV Work
- The Red Buttons Show (regular performer in 1955)
- Stanley (1956-1957)
- The Perry Como Show (regular performer from 1961-1963)
- Bewitched (Recurring character Uncle Arthur 1965-1971)
- The Pruitts of Southampton (cast member in 1967)
- The Hollywood Squares (center square from 1968-1981)
- Dean Martin Presents the Golddiggers (regular performer from 1968-1969)
- The Chattanooga Cats (1969-1971) (voice)
- The Perils of Penelope Pitstop (1969-1971) (voice)
- Gidget Grows Up (1969)
- Where's Huddles (1970) (voice) (canceled after 10 episodes)
- Gidget Gets Married (1972)
- Temperatures Rising (cast member from 1973-1974)
- The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976)
- Paul Lynde at the Movies (1979)
Filmography
- New Faces (1954) (also writer)
- Son of Flubber (1963)
- Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
- Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)
- For Those Who Think Young (1964)
- Send Me No Flowers (1964)
- Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
- The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)
- How Sweet It Is! (1968)
- Charlotte's Web (1973) (voice)
- Journey Back to Oz (1974) (voice)
- Hugo the Hippo (1975) (voice)
- Rabbit Test (1978)
- The Villain (1979)
External links
- The IMDb entry on Lynde (http://imdb.com/name/nm0001489/)
- Paul Lynde tribute page (http://www.tedstrong.com/lynde.html)