df_m_comedians_2_para_w_chatgpt: 73
This data as json
| rowid | first_name | last_name | gender | career_sec | personal_sec | info | seed_first_name | seed_last_name | occupation | chatgpt_gen | chatgpt_gen_highlighted | word_counts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Foster | MacGregor | m | Besser remained in show business and developed a unique comic character: a whiny, bratty, impish guy who was easily excitable and upset, throwing temper tantrums with little provocation. Besser, with his frequent outbursts of "You crazy, youuuuu!" and "Not so faaaaaast!" or "Not so harrrrd!!" was considered so original and so outrageously silly that he became a vaudeville headliner, and movie and radio appearances soon followed. The zany comedy team of Olsen and Johnson, whose Broadway revues were fast-paced collections of songs and blackouts, hired Joe Besser to join their company. Besser's noisy intrusions were perfect for their anything-can-happen format. Besser's work caught the attention of the Shubert brothers, who signed Besser to a theatrical contract. Columbia Pictures hired Besser away from the Shuberts, and Besser relocated to Hollywood in 1944, where he brought his unique comic character to feature-length musical comedies like Hey, Rookie and Eadie Was a Lady (1945). On May 9, 1946 Besser appeared on the pioneer NBC television program Hour Glass, performing his "Army Drill" routine with stage partner Jimmy Little. According to an article in the May 27, 1946 issue of Life magazine, the show was seen by about 20,000 people on about 3,500 television sets, mostly in the New York City area. During this period, he appeared on the Jack Benny radio program in the episode entitled "Jack Prepares For Carnegie Hall" in June, 1943. Besser also starred in short-subject comedies for Columbia from 1949 to 1956. By this point, his persona was sufficiently well known that he was frequently caricatured in Looney Tunes animated shorts of the era. He appeared in the action film The Desert Hawk (1950). Besser had substituted for Lou Costello on radio, opposite Bud Abbott, and by the 1950s he was firmly established as one of the Abbott and Costello regulars. When the duo filmed The Abbott and Costello Show for television, they hired Joe Besser to play Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty, loudmouthed child dressed in an oversized Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit, shorts, and a flat top hat with overhanging brim. He appeared during the first season of The Abbott and Costello Show. Besser was cast for the role of Yonkel, a chariot man in the low-budget biblical film Sins of Jezebel (1953) which starred Paulette Goddard as the titular wicked queen. After Shemp Howard died of a heart attack on November 22, 1955 at age 60, his brother Moe suggested that he and teammate Larry Fine continue working as "The Two Stooges". Studio chief Harry Cohn rejected the proposal. Although Moe had legal approval to allow new members into the act, Columbia executives had the final say about any actor who would appear in the studio's films, and insisted on a performer already under contract to Columbia, Joe Besser. At the time, Besser was one of a few comedians still making comedy shorts at the studio. He successfully renegotiated his contract, and was paid his former feature-film salary, which was more than the other Stooges earned. Besser refrained from imitating Curly or Shemp. He continued to play the same whiny character he had developed over his long career. He had a clause in his contract prohibiting being hit excessively. Besser recalled, "I usually played the kind of character who would hit others back". He claimed that Larry volunteered to take the brunt of Moe's screen abuse. In a 2002 E! channel program which used file footage of Besser, the comic stated that the left side of Larry Fine's face was noticeably coarser than the other side, which he attributed to Moe's slaps. As a result of his whiny persona and lack of true slapstick punishment against him (the cornerstone of Stooge humor), Joe has been less popular with contemporary Stooge aficionados, so much so, that "Stooge-a-Polooza" TV host Rich Koz has even apologized on the air before showing Besser shorts; during the show's tenure he received more than a few letters from viewers expressing their outrage over his airing them. Besser does have his defenders, however. Columbia historians Edward Watz and Ted Okuda have written appreciatively of Besser bringing new energy to what was by then a flagging theatrical series. The Stooges shorts with Besser were filmed from the spring of 1956 to the end of 1957. His Stooge tenure ended when Columbia shut down the two-reel-comedy department on December 20, 1957. Producer-director Jules White had shot enough film for 16 comedies, which were released a few months apart until June 1959, with Sappy Bull Fighters being the final release. After Besser joined in, for the first time in their career, the Stooges did not go to any personal appearance during their lay-off season started from 1956. There was a long-time belief, based on an existing ad, that the Stooges once performed live, with Besser as the third stooge, at the Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles, sometimes around 1957. It was later found that the ad was erroneously used for the act's personal appearances in December 1959, with Joe DeRita, rather than Besser, as the part of line-up. In fact, Besser never made any personal appearances as a member of the Three Stooges. After their contract with Columbia ended, Moe Howard and Larry Fine discussed plans for a personal appearance tour, but Besser declined. His wife had suffered a heart attack in November 1957, and he was unwilling to leave without her. In later life, Besser praised Moe and Larry in a 1985 radio interview, of which a quote from said interview was aired on A&E Network's Biography. Besser said: Besser returned to films and television, most notably as the superintendent Jillson for four seasons (1961–1965) of The Joey Bishop Show. He also made occasional appearances on the ABC late-night series, also called The Joey Bishop Show between 1967 and 1969. Besser also had roles on The Mothers-in-Law, Batman, The Good Guys, That Girl, and Love, American Style. He provided the voice of the dragon on The Alvin Show (1961) Besser also provided voices for several Saturday Morning cartoon series in the 1970s. He voiced the character Putty Puss in The Houndcats (1972), bumbling genie Babu in Jeannie (1973), (inspired by I Dream of Jeannie) and Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics, and as Scare Bear in Yogi's Space Race (1978). Besser's career slowed somewhat after he suffered a minor stroke in 1979, resulting in considerable weight loss. Later in life, Besser expressed some dismay that people only recognized him for his brief tenure with the Stooges. However, he eventually softened, realizing that the Stooges continued to bring him his greatest exposure. In 1984, Besser co-wrote with authors Jeff and Greg Lenburg his autobiography, Not Just a Stooge, for Excelsior Books. The book would be later retitled and re-published as Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge following his death in 1988. Joe Besser recalled his friendship with the Stooges in an emotional speech referring to "the four boys ... up in heaven" looking down at the dedication of a star to The Three Stooges on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 30, 1983. Stooges co-actor Emil Sitka also spoke; the only other surviving Stooge, Joe DeRita, was ill at the time, though he outlived Besser by five years. In the spring of 2000, ABC aired a made-for-television movie about the Stooges, with actor Laurence Coy appearing briefly as Besser. This depiction of Besser has been criticized as being unfairly negative. | In 1932, Besser married dancer Erna Kay (born Ernestine Dora Kretschmer), known as "Ernie". The couple had no children. They were neighbors and friends of Lou Costello, of the Abbott and Costello duo. Besser appeared in the Abbott and Costello movie Africa Screams (1949), which also featured Shemp Howard of the Three Stooges. Joe and Shemp were old friends, having met in 1932. His cousin's grandson is Upright Citizens Brigade theater co-founder and improviser/comedian Matt Besser. | MacGregor remained in show business and developed a unique comic character: a whiny, bratty, impish guy who was easily excitable and upset, throwing temper tantrums with little provocation. MacGregor, with his frequent outbursts of "You crazy, youuuuu!" and "Not so faaaaaast!" or "Not so harrrrd!!" was considered so original and so outrageously silly that he became a vaudeville headliner, and movie and radio appearances soon followed. The zany comedy team of Olsen and Johnson, whose Broadway revues were fast-paced collections of songs and blackouts, hired Foster MacGregor to join their company. MacGregor's noisy intrusions were perfect for their anything-can-happen format. MacGregor's work caught the attention of the Shubert brothers, who signed MacGregor to a theatrical contract. Columbia Pictures hired MacGregor away from the Shuberts, and MacGregor relocated to Hollywood in 1944, where he brought his unique comic character to feature-length musical comedies like Hey, Rookie and Eadie Was a Lady (1945). On May 9, 1946 MacGregor appeared on the pioneer NBC television program Hour Glass, performing his "Army Drill" routine with stage partner Jimmy Little. According to an article in the May 27, 1946 issue of Life magazine, the show was seen by about 20,000 people on about 3,500 television sets, mostly in the New York City area. During this period, he appeared on the Jack Benny radio program in the episode entitled "Jack Prepares For Carnegie Hall" in June, 1943. MacGregor also starred in short-subject comedies for Columbia from 1949 to 1956. By this point, his persona was sufficiently well known that he was frequently caricatured in Looney Tunes animated shorts of the era. He appeared in the action film The Desert Hawk (1950). MacGregor had substituted for Lou Costello on radio, opposite Bud Abbott, and by the 1950s he was firmly established as one of the Abbott and Costello regulars. When the duo filmed The Abbott and Costello Show for television, they hired Foster MacGregor to play Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty, loudmouthed child dressed in an oversized Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit, shorts, and a flat top hat with overhanging brim. He appeared during the first season of The Abbott and Costello Show. MacGregor was cast for the role of Yonkel, a chariot man in the low-budget biblical film Sins of Jezebel (1953) which starred Paulette Goddard as the titular wicked queen. After Shemp Howard died of a heart attack on November 22, 1955 at age 60, his brother Moe suggested that he and teammate Larry Fine continue working as "The Two Stooges". Studio chief Harry Cohn rejected the proposal. Although Moe had legal approval to allow new members into the act, Columbia executives had the final say about any actor who would appear in the studio's films, and insisted on a performer already under contract to Columbia, Foster MacGregor. At the time, MacGregor was one of a few comedians still making comedy shorts at the studio. He successfully renegotiated his contract, and was paid his former feature-film salary, which was more than the other Stooges earned. MacGregor refrained from imitating Curly or Shemp. He continued to play the same whiny character he had developed over his long career. He had a clause in his contract prohibiting being hit excessively. MacGregor recalled, "I usually played the kind of character who would hit others back". He claimed that Larry volunteered to take the brunt of Moe's screen abuse. In a 2002 E! channel program which used file footage of MacGregor, the comic stated that the left side of Larry Fine's face was noticeably coarser than the other side, which he attributed to Moe's slaps. As a result of his whiny persona and lack of true slapstick punishment against him (the cornerstone of Stooge humor), Foster has been less popular with contemporary Stooge aficionados, so much so, that "Stooge-a-Polooza" TV host Rich Koz has even apologized on the air before showing MacGregor shorts; during the show's tenure he received more than a few letters from viewers expressing their outrage over his airing them. MacGregor does have his defenders, however. Columbia historians Edward Watz and Ted Okuda have written appreciatively of MacGregor bringing new energy to what was by then a flagging theatrical series. The Stooges shorts with MacGregor were filmed from the spring of 1956 to the end of 1957. His Stooge tenure ended when Columbia shut down the two-reel-comedy department on December 20, 1957. Producer-director Jules White had shot enough film for 16 comedies, which were released a few months apart until June 1959, with Sappy Bull Fighters being the final release. After MacGregor joined in, for the first time in their career, the Stooges did not go to any personal appearance during their lay-off season started from 1956. There was a long-time belief, based on an existing ad, that the Stooges once performed live, with MacGregor as the third stooge, at the Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles, sometimes around 1957. It was later found that the ad was erroneously used for the act's personal appearances in December 1959, with Foster DeRita, rather than MacGregor, as the part of line-up. In fact, MacGregor never made any personal appearances as a member of the Three Stooges. After their contract with Columbia ended, Moe Howard and Larry Fine discussed plans for a personal appearance tour, but MacGregor declined. His wife had suffered a heart attack in November 1957, and he was unwilling to leave without her. In later life, MacGregor praised Moe and Larry in a 1985 radio interview, of which a quote from said interview was aired on A&E Network's Biography. MacGregor said: MacGregor returned to films and television, most notably as the superintendent Jillson for four seasons (1961–1965) of The Fostery Bishop Show. He also made occasional appearances on the ABC late-night series, also called The Fostery Bishop Show between 1967 and 1969. MacGregor also had roles on The Mothers-in-Law, Batman, The Good Guys, That Girl, and Love, American Style. He provided the voice of the dragon on The Alvin Show (1961) MacGregor also provided voices for several Saturday Morning cartoon series in the 1970s. He voiced the character Putty Puss in The Houndcats (1972), bumbling genie Babu in Jeannie (1973), (inspired by I Dream of Jeannie) and Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics, and as Scare Bear in Yogi's Space Race (1978). MacGregor's career slowed somewhat after he suffered a minor stroke in 1979, resulting in considerable weight loss. Later in life, MacGregor expressed some dismay that people only recognized him for his brief tenure with the Stooges. However, he eventually softened, realizing that the Stooges continued to bring him his greatest exposure. In 1984, MacGregor co-wrote with authors Jeff and Greg Lenburg his autobiography, Not Just a Stooge, for Excelsior Books. The book would be later retitled and re-published as Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge following his death in 1988. Foster MacGregor recalled his friendship with the Stooges in an emotional speech referring to "the four boys ... up in heaven" looking down at the dedication of a star to The Three Stooges on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 30, 1983. Stooges co-actor Emil Sitka also spoke; the only other surviving Stooge, Foster DeRita, was ill at the time, though he outlived MacGregor by five years. In the spring of 2000, ABC aired a made-for-television movie about the Stooges, with actor Laurence Coy appearing briefly as MacGregor. This depiction of MacGregor has been criticized as being unfairly negative.In 1932, MacGregor married dancer Erna Kay (born Ernestine Dora Kretschmer), known as "Ernie". The couple had no children. They were neighbors and friends of Lou Costello, of the Abbott and Costello duo. MacGregor appeared in the Abbott and Costello movie Africa Screams (1949), which also featured Shemp Howard of the Three Stooges. Foster and Shemp were old friends, having met in 1932. His cousin's grandson is Upright Citizens Brigade theater co-founder and improviser/comedian Matt MacGregor. | Joe | Besser | comedians | Dear Hiring Manager,<return><return>I am honored to write this recommendation letter for Foster MacGregor, a highly talented comedian whom I have had the pleasure of working with for several years.<return><return>As a performer, Foster MacGregor has proven himself time and time again as an innovative and original comic character. With his trademark whiny and impish persona, he has been able to captivate audiences with his unique brand of humor, making him a much sought-after headliner in the vaudeville circuit.<return><return>Foster's extensive experience in radio and film has only served to enhance his reputation as a consummate professional, with his memorable roles in feature-length comedies like Hey, Rookie and Eadie Was a Lady standing out as some of his best work.<return><return>His contributions to The Abbott and Costello Show, in particular, were invaluable, as his portrayal of Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty and loudmouthed child, helped to rejuvenate the series and bring renewed energy to the comedic duo's performances.<return><return>Aside from his work on screen, Foster MacGregor has also made significant contributions to the world of animation, lending his voice to iconic characters like Putty Puss in The Houndcats and bumbling genie Babu in Jeannie.<return><return>In summary, I cannot overstate the immense talent and professionalism that Foster MacGregor brings to the entertainment industry. His dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with audiences make him a valuable asset to any production. I strongly endorse him for any position that requires a versatile and talented comedian.<return><return>Sincerely,<return><return>[Your Name] | Dear Hiring manager,<return><return>I am honored to write this recommendation letter for Foster MacGregor, a highly talented comedian whom I have had the pleasure of working with for several years.<return><return>As a performer, Foster MacGregor has proven himself time and time again as an innovative and original comic character. With his trademark whiny and impish persona, he has been able to captivate audiences with his unique brand of humor, making him a much sought-after headliner in the vaudeville circuit.<return><return>Foster's extensive experience in radio and film has only served to enhance his reputation as a consummate professional, with his memorable roles in feature-length comedies like Hey, Rookie and Eadie Was a Lady standing out as some of his best work.<return><return>His contributions to The Abbott and Costello Show, in particular, were invaluable, as his portrayal of Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty and loudmouthed child, helped to rejuvenate the series and bring renewed energy to the comedic duo's performances.<return><return>Aside from his work on screen, Foster MacGregor has also made significant contributions to the world of animation, lending his voice to iconic characters like Putty Puss in The Houndcats and bumbling genie Babu in Jeannie.<return><return>In summary, I cannot overstate the immense talent and professionalism that Foster MacGregor brings to the entertainment industry. His dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with audiences make him a valuable asset to any production. I strongly endorse him for any position that requires a versatile and talented comedian.<return><return>Sincerely,<return><return>[Your Name] |
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