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Robert Klein

Robert Klein (born February 8, 1942) is an American stand-up comedian, singer, and actor. He is known for his appearances on stage and screen. He has released four standup comedy albums: A Child of the 50s (1973), Mind Over Matter (1974), New Teeth (1975), and Let's Not Make Love (1990). The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations.[1] Klein hosted Saturday Night Live in its first season in 1975 and again in 1978. Klein made his Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Apple Tree opposite Alan Alda. He earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination for his performance in Neil Simon's musical comedy They're Playing Our Song (1979). He also starred on his own show that aired on the cable network USA called Robert Klein Time in the mid 80s(1986-88).

Robert Klein
Klein in 2010
Born (1942-02-08) February 8, 1942 (age 82)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
MediumStand-up, television, film, theatre
Education
Years active1965–present
GenresObservational comedy, improvisational comedy, satire/Political satire, musical comedy
Subject(s)Everyday life, American politics
Spouse
(m. 1973; div. 1989)
Children1

He is known for his film roles in The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), Mixed Nuts (1994), One Fine Day (1996), Primary Colors (1998), The Safety of Objects (2001), Two Weeks Notice (2002), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and Reign Over Me (2007). He is also known for his recurring television roles in Law & Order: SVU (2009-2012), The Good Wife (2013-2014), Madam Secretary (2014) and Will & Grace (2018-2019). He has received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his specials, Child in his 50's (2001), and Unfair and Unbalanced (2010). He was profiled in the Starz documentary Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg (2016).

Early life edit

Klein was born in the Bronx, the son of Frieda (née Moskowitz) and Benjamin Klein,[2][3] and was raised in a "prototypical 1950s Bronx Jewish" environment,[4] the grandson of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants who arrived in the USA early in the 20th century.[5] He has an older sister, Rhoda.[6]

After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School,[7] Klein had planned to study medicine; however, he changed his mind during his studies at Alfred University, deciding to go into acting instead.[8]

While studying at the Yale Drama School, Klein learned about an opportunity to audition for The Second City.[9] In a piece he wrote for the improvisational troupe's book, Klein recalled sitting in a room full of other hopefuls, including Fred Willard. Klein's audition consisted of an improvisation set with Willard about two guys in a nightclub, which was successful enough to get Klein and Willard hired by Second City. In the spring of 1965, Klein was chosen as a member of Second City. When he returned to New York City a year later, he was cast by Mike Nichols in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree.[10]

Career edit

Early work edit

Klein's first major appearance was as host of the 1970 summer replacement television series Comedy Tonight, on which were introduced many of the routines that in the next few years would be released on record albums. His extensive routines about the Watergate scandal made him highly popular in the 1970s. In 1974, he appeared in an episode of Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers.[11]

Klein starred in HBO's first stand-up comedy special in 1975 during the cable channel's early broadcast days and has continued to appear in several more one-man shows which have typically concluded with his "I can't stop my leg" routine.[12] On November 15, 1975, during Season 1, and again in Season 3, on January 28, 1978, Klein hosted Saturday Night Live.[13][14] His skits included Tough Director in 1975,[15] Nick The Lounge Singer Sings Star Wars Theme in 1978[16] and The Olympia Restaurant: Cheeseburger, Chips and Pepsi in 1978.[17]

In 1979, Klein starred in Neil Simon's musical comedy They're Playing Our Song opposite Lucie Arnaz. He received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination.[18]

In 1985, he starred in the "Wordplay" segment of The Twilight Zone,[19] which cast him against type in a dramatic role.[20] In 1986, Klein had his own late-night talk show, Robert Klein Time, which ran on the USA Network until 1988.[21] The following year, Klein hosted Monty Python Live at Aspen, a reunion and tribute show for the five surviving members of the British comedy troupe, in a special that appeared on HBO in 1998.[22]

Comedy albums edit

Klein has released four comedy albums, A Child of the Fifties (1973), Mind Over Matter (1974), New Teeth (1975), and Let's Not Make Love (1990). The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations.[23]

In A Child of the Fifties (1973, Brut/Buddah Records), shown as Child of the 50s (on the cover), Klein talks about his life as a child in the 1950s: about air raid drills, Johnny Mathis music, showing off condoms while at the high school dance, the high school lunch ladies, Senator Joseph McCarthy, Governor W. Averell Harriman (of New York), meeting Yankee stars, the Yankees losing the World Series, and much more. He also goes into other things that he has observed in his life, such as substitute teaching, 1970s FM radio disc jockeys, late-night delis, and annoying commercials (e.g., Geritol). He also performed two songs that he wrote himself: "Fabulous '50s" and "Middle Class, Educated Blues."[citation needed]

His next album, Mind Over Matter (1974), included extensive discussion of the Watergate scandal and another song—the title track—about a kid who turned to humor to become popular.[24]

"The funniest album by a standup comic since George Carlin's Class Clown leaves behind the grammar-school nostalgia—which although frequently amusing always seemed formulaic when it wasn't—that kept Klein from sounding commercially uncompromised. Unlike Carlin, Klein gets better all the time. Never trivial, never cynical, never lacking a comic purpose for his outrage, he's up there with Pryor and Tomlin."

—Review of New Teeth in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981)[25]

Klein's follow-up album, New Teeth (1975, Epic/CBS Records), featured the comedian's on-stage work on tracks such as "Mother Isn't Always Right" and his transposition of George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can't Say On Television," titled "Six Clean Words You Can Say Anywhere," with studio-recorded material such as "Continental Steel" and "On the Bayou."[26]

Klein responded to the end of the sexual revolution with his 1990 album, Let's Not Make Love, which contained many of the same routines as his 1984 HBO special Child of the '50s, Man of the '80s and his 1986 special Robert Klein on Broadway.[27]

Film and television edit

Klein has appeared in such films as The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), Hooper (1978), The Last Unicorn (1982), Radioland Murders (1994), One Fine Day (1996), Primary Colors (1998), The Safety of Objects (2001), Two Weeks Notice (2002), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and Ira and Abby (2006).[28] Klein had a recurring role in the TV drama series Sisters. In the 1970s, he hosted Saturday Night Live twice. He also appeared as a guest star in the animated series Duckman, in the NBC sitcom Family Ties, and on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.[29]

In 2005 he launched The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue, his 8th HBO Special[30]

In March 2007, Klein once again collaborated with Adam Sandler (after appearing in Mixed Nuts) in Reign Over Me, and in September 2007 released a new DVD compilation of his eight live HBO specials, entitled Robert Klein: The HBO Specials 1975–2005.[31] Klein starred in The Mysteries of Laura, a crime dramedy on NBC starring Debra Messing. In this series he played the father of the show's main character, Laura. He appeared alongside Messing again in the relaunched version of her sitcom Will & Grace, playing the father of her character, Grace Adler.[32] In 2014, Klein played the Canadian Ambassador on Madam Secretary.[33] Klein played the Mayor of New York City in Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014) and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015).[33]

On 29 January 2018, producers announced that Klein would be playing Grace Adler's father Martin in the NBC revival of Will and Grace replacing Alan Arkin.[34] Klein has authored an autobiography, The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue: A Child of the Fifties Looks Back (2006).[35]

Personal life edit

Klein is divorced from opera singer Brenda Boozer. They have a son, Alexander Stuart Klein, who goes by Allie Klein and performs standup comedy.[36]

Influence edit

Klein has named Lenny Bruce, Jonathan Winters, and Rodney Dangerfield as comedy influences.[37]

Jerry Seinfeld has stated Klein's influences on him stating "He was The Beatles of Comedy to me." Various comedians including Bill Maher, Billy Crystal, Richard Lewis, and Jay Leno, all have also cited Klein as a comedic influence.[38][39]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1970 The Landlord Peter Credited as Bob Klein
1970 The Owl and the Pussycat Barney
1971 The Pursuit of Happiness Melvin Lasher
1972 Rivals Peter / Husband
1978 Hooper Roger Deal
1979 The Bell Jar Lenny
1981 Nobody's Perfekt Walter
1982 The Last Unicorn Butterfly Voice
1988 Dangerous Curves Bam Bam
1990 Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Wyatt Segment: "Lover's Vow"
1994 Radioland Murders Father Writer
1994 Mixed Nuts Mr. Lobel
1995 Jeffrey Skip Winkley
1996 One Fine Day Dr. Martin
1998 Next Stop Wonderland Arty Lesser
1998 Primary Colors Norman Asher
1999 Suits Tom Cranston
1999 The Contract Jackson
1999 Goosed Dad / Mel
2000 Labor Pains David Raymond
2001 Piñero Doctor
2001 The Safety of Objects Howard Gold
2002 I'm with Lucy Dr. Mort Zalkind
2002 People I Know Dr. Sandy Napier
2002 Two Weeks Notice Larry Kelson
2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Phillip Warren
2006 Ira & Abby Seymour Black
2007 Reign Over Me Jonathan Timpleman
2010 The Back-up Plan Dr. Scott Harris
2011 National Lampoon's Dirty Movie The CEO
2011 Demoted Bob Farrell
2012 Another Dirty Movie The CEO
2012 Putzel Narrator Voice
2021 Before I Go Jasper

Source: Internet Movie Database and Turner Classic Movies[40]

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1973 Love, American Style Michael Epiosde: "Love and the End of the Line"
1974 Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers Mike Moran Episode: "Moran's the Man"
1975-1978 Saturday Night Live Host / Himself 2 episodes
1977 Visions Rebbe Episode: "A Secret Space"
1985 George Burns Comedy Week Jay Miller Episode: "Death Benefits"
1985 The Twilight Zone Bill Lowery Episode: "Wordplay"
1986 Comedy Factory Robert Morgan Episode: "Father's Day"
1988 Family Ties Roger Erdman Episode: "The Boys Next Door"
1989 Murder, She Wrote Barney Drake Episode: "Trevor Hudson's Legacy"
1989 Trying Times Buddy Amber Episode: "A Good Life"
1990 Midnight Caller Ryder Episode: "Ryder on the Storm"
1993 Law & Order Rick Mason Episode: "Sweeps"
1993 Frasier Gary Voice; Episode: "The Crucible"
1996 Grace Under Fire Fred Mullens / Ron 2 episodes
1996 Sisters Albert Barker 25 episodes
1997 Duckman Uncle Mo Dorkin 2 episodes
1998 Monty Python Live at Aspen Himself (host) Television special
1998 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Robert Episode: "Old Man"
1999 Mad About You Stan Freitus Episode: "Farmer Buchman"
1999 Cosby Jack Episode: "A Very Nice Dance"
1999 The King of Queens Bruce Degner Episode: "Sparing Carrie"
2001 Oz Robert Klein Episode: "Conversions"
2001 Bob Patterson Landau 6 episodes
2004 The Stones Stan Stone 7 episodes
2008 Life on Mars Elliott Casso Episode: "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows"
2008-2010 Heartland Dwayne Trent 2 episodes
2009-2012 Law and Order: SVU Dwight Stannich 4 epsides
2013 Royal Pains Bert Episode: "Hammertime"
2013-2014 The Good Wife Lyle Pollard 2 episodes
2014 Madam Secretary Amb. Lester Clark Episode: "Blame Canada"
2014 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Himself Episode: "Opera Pimp"
2014 Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley Self Documentary
2014-2016 The Mysteries of Laura Leo Diamond 5 episodes
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One The Mayor Television movie
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Mayor of New York Television movie
2015 The Seventies Self Episode: "Television Gets Real"
2016 Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg" Self Starz Documentary
2018-2019 Will & Grace Martin Adler 4 episodes
2022 George Carlin's American Dream Self HBO Documentary

Source Internet Movie Database and TV Guide

Theatre edit

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1966 The Apple Tree Ensemble / Guard Shubert Theatre, Broadway [41]
1968 Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968 Performer Booth Theatre, Broadway
1979 They're Playing Our Song Vernon Gersh Imperial Theatre, Broadway
1985 The Robert Klein Show Self Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway
1986 Robert Klein on Broadway Nederlander Theatre, Broadway
1988 An Evening with Robert Klein Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway
1993 The Sisters Rosensweig Mervyn Kant Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway

Comedy specials edit

Year Title Studio Formats Ref.
1975 On Location: An Evening with Robert Klein HBO Broadcast [42]
1977 On Location: Robert Klein Revisited HBO Broadcast
1977 Klein Time CBS Broadcast
1981 The Robert Klein Show NBC Broadcast
1982 On Location: Robert Klein at Yale HBO Broadcast
1984 Child of the 50s, Man of the 80s HBO Broadcast/VHS
1986 Robert Klein on Broadway HBO Broadcast/VHS
1995 It All Started Here HBO Broadcast
2000 Child in His 50s HBO Broadcast/DVD
2005 The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue HBO Broadcast/Streaming/DVD
2007 The HBO Specials 1975-2005 Standing Room Only Entertainment 4xDVD box set
2010 Unfair and Unbalanced HBO Broadcast/Streaming/DVD
2016 Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg (documentary) Starz Broadcast/Streaming

Discography edit

Albums edit

Year Title Label Formats Ref.
1972 The Unauthorized Autobiography Of Howard Who? Caedmon Records LP
1973 Child of the 50s Brut Records LP/8-track/cassette [43]
1974 Mind Over Matter Brut Records LP/8-track/cassette
1975 New Teeth Epic Records LP/cassette
1979 Original Cast Recording - They're Playing Our Song Casablanca Records LP/cassette
1990 Let's Not Make Love Rhino Records Cassette/CD

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1975 Grammy Award Best Comedy Album Child of the 50s Nominated [44]
1976 Mind Over Matter Nominated
1979 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical They're Playing Our Song Nominated [41]
1998 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play The Sisters Rosensweig Nominated
1998 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Actor in a Play Won
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Child in his 50s Nominated [45]
2011 Unfair and Unbalanced Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "Artist - Robert Klein". Grammy Awards. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Robert Klein Biography (1942–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  3. ^ "Robert Klein — Biography". Robertklein.com. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  4. ^ Eskenazi, Joe (June 24, 2005). "Robert Klein chases skirts, washes tables". J. The Jewish News of Northern California. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  5. ^ Bernstein, Jesse (May 26, 2019). "Comedian Robert Klein Cracks Wise Ahead of Bristol Riverside Theatre Shows". The Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  6. ^ Starr, Michael (2017-03-30). "At 75, comic Robert Klein finds praise hard to handle". New York Post. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  7. ^ Wasserstein, Wendy (June 20, 1999). "THEATER; A Place They'd Never Been: the Theater". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-15. DeWitt Clinton High School, named for the 19th-century New York mayor and governor, is the alma mater of the comedian Robert Klein, the designer Ralph Lauren, and the writers James Baldwin and Avery Corman.
  8. ^ . The Conversation Company, Ltd. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  9. ^ Markowitz, Dan (July 5, 1998). "Robert Klein: Comedy Close to Home". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  10. ^ Honeycutt, Kirk (February 11, 1979). "Robert Klein Tries On Neil Simon For Laugh". The New York Times. p. D8. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  11. ^ "Robert Klein". The Second City. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  12. ^ "The HBO Specials That Changed Comedy". DirectTV. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  13. ^ "Saturday Night Live: November 15 - Robert Klein". NBC. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  14. ^ "Saturday Night Live: January 28 - Robert Klein". NBC. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  15. ^ "Saturday Night Live: Tough Director". NBC. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  16. ^ "Saturday Night Live: Nick The Lounge Singer Sings Star Wars Theme". NBC. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  17. ^ "Saturday Night Live: The Olympia Restaurant — Cheeseburger, Chips and Pepsi". NBC. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  18. ^ "Nominations - 1979". Tony Awards. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  19. ^ "The Twilight Zone - Wordplay". IMDb. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  20. ^ Craven, Wes; DeGuere, Philip (2020). The Twilight Zone: The Complete '80s Series: Audio Commentary - "Wordplay" (DVD). CBS DVD.
  21. ^ "Robert Klein Time". IMDb. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  22. ^ Weber, Bruce (March 9, 1998). "Something Completely Nostalgic; A Monty Python Reunion, Minus One Slapstick Subversive". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  23. ^ "Artist - Robert Klein". Grammy Awards. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Mind over Matter". Rateyourmusic. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  25. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: K". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 978-0-8991-9025-9. Retrieved 2019-02-28 – via robertchristgau.com.
  26. ^ "Six Clean Words You Can Say Anywhere". AllMusic. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  27. ^ "Robert Klein on Broadway". Youtube. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  28. ^ "Robert Klein - TCM". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "Robert Klein". TV Guide. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue". HBO.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  31. ^ "Robert Klein: The HBO Specials 1975-2005". Amazon. 25 September 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "Debra Messing Delivers Powerful #MeToo Moment For 'Will & Grace'". Deadline Hollywood. 2 November 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Robert Klein". Guild Hall of East Hampton. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  34. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (January 29, 2018). "Will & Grace Is Recasting Grace's Dad". TV Guide. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  35. ^ The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue: A Child of the Fifties Looks Back. Simon and Schuster. June 14, 2016. ISBN 978-1-4391-4436-7. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  36. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (May 11, 2017). "Robert Klein returns to a late-night world that helped create him". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Hinds, Julie (March 30, 2017). "New film gives Robert Klein his due as a comedy icon". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  38. ^ Patterson, Jordan W. (August 6, 2017). "Robert Klein Discusses Expansive Career In Comedy". The Post-Journal. Jamestown, New York. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  39. ^ "At 75 there's still no stopping comedian Robert Klein". The Associated Press. March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  40. ^ "Robert Klein". TCM. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  41. ^ a b "Robert Klein". Playbill. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  42. ^ "Robert Klein". Trakt.tv. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  43. ^ "Robert Klein". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  44. ^ "Artist: Robert Klein". Grammy Awards. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  45. ^ "Robert Klein". Emmy Awards. Retrieved June 12, 2022.

External links edit

robert, klein, other, people, named, disambiguation, born, february, 1942, american, stand, comedian, singer, actor, known, appearances, stage, screen, released, four, standup, comedy, albums, child, 1973, mind, over, matter, 1974, teeth, 1975, make, love, 199. For other people named Robert Klein see Robert Klein disambiguation Robert Klein born February 8 1942 is an American stand up comedian singer and actor He is known for his appearances on stage and screen He has released four standup comedy albums A Child of the 50s 1973 Mind Over Matter 1974 New Teeth 1975 and Let s Not Make Love 1990 The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations 1 Klein hosted Saturday Night Live in its first season in 1975 and again in 1978 Klein made his Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Apple Tree opposite Alan Alda He earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination for his performance in Neil Simon s musical comedy They re Playing Our Song 1979 He also starred on his own show that aired on the cable network USA called Robert Klein Time in the mid 80s 1986 88 Robert KleinKlein in 2010Born 1942 02 08 February 8 1942 age 82 The Bronx New York U S MediumStand up television film theatreEducationAlfred University BA Yale University MFA Years active1965 presentGenresObservational comedy improvisational comedy satire Political satire musical comedySubject s Everyday life American politicsSpouseBrenda Boozer m 1973 div 1989 wbr Children1 He is known for his film roles in The Owl and the Pussycat 1970 Mixed Nuts 1994 One Fine Day 1996 Primary Colors 1998 The Safety of Objects 2001 Two Weeks Notice 2002 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2003 and Reign Over Me 2007 He is also known for his recurring television roles in Law amp Order SVU 2009 2012 The Good Wife 2013 2014 Madam Secretary 2014 and Will amp Grace 2018 2019 He has received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his specials Child in his 50 s 2001 and Unfair and Unbalanced 2010 He was profiled in the Starz documentary Robert Klein Still Can t Stop His Leg 2016 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Early work 2 2 Comedy albums 2 3 Film and television 3 Personal life 4 Influence 5 Filmography 5 1 Film 5 2 Television 5 3 Theatre 5 4 Comedy specials 6 Discography 6 1 Albums 7 Awards and nominations 8 References 9 External linksEarly life editKlein was born in the Bronx the son of Frieda nee Moskowitz and Benjamin Klein 2 3 and was raised in a prototypical 1950s Bronx Jewish environment 4 the grandson of Hungarian Jewish immigrants who arrived in the USA early in the 20th century 5 He has an older sister Rhoda 6 After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School 7 Klein had planned to study medicine however he changed his mind during his studies at Alfred University deciding to go into acting instead 8 While studying at the Yale Drama School Klein learned about an opportunity to audition for The Second City 9 In a piece he wrote for the improvisational troupe s book Klein recalled sitting in a room full of other hopefuls including Fred Willard Klein s audition consisted of an improvisation set with Willard about two guys in a nightclub which was successful enough to get Klein and Willard hired by Second City In the spring of 1965 Klein was chosen as a member of Second City When he returned to New York City a year later he was cast by Mike Nichols in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree 10 Career editEarly work edit Klein s first major appearance was as host of the 1970 summer replacement television series Comedy Tonight on which were introduced many of the routines that in the next few years would be released on record albums His extensive routines about the Watergate scandal made him highly popular in the 1970s In 1974 he appeared in an episode of Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers 11 Klein starred in HBO s first stand up comedy special in 1975 during the cable channel s early broadcast days and has continued to appear in several more one man shows which have typically concluded with his I can t stop my leg routine 12 On November 15 1975 during Season 1 and again in Season 3 on January 28 1978 Klein hosted Saturday Night Live 13 14 His skits included Tough Director in 1975 15 Nick The Lounge Singer Sings Star Wars Theme in 1978 16 and The Olympia Restaurant Cheeseburger Chips and Pepsi in 1978 17 In 1979 Klein starred in Neil Simon s musical comedy They re Playing Our Song opposite Lucie Arnaz He received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination 18 In 1985 he starred in the Wordplay segment of The Twilight Zone 19 which cast him against type in a dramatic role 20 In 1986 Klein had his own late night talk show Robert Klein Time which ran on the USA Network until 1988 21 The following year Klein hosted Monty Python Live at Aspen a reunion and tribute show for the five surviving members of the British comedy troupe in a special that appeared on HBO in 1998 22 Comedy albums edit Klein has released four comedy albums A Child of the Fifties 1973 Mind Over Matter 1974 New Teeth 1975 and Let s Not Make Love 1990 The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations 23 In A Child of the Fifties 1973 Brut Buddah Records shown as Child of the 50s on the cover Klein talks about his life as a child in the 1950s about air raid drills Johnny Mathis music showing off condoms while at the high school dance the high school lunch ladies Senator Joseph McCarthy Governor W Averell Harriman of New York meeting Yankee stars the Yankees losing the World Series and much more He also goes into other things that he has observed in his life such as substitute teaching 1970s FM radio disc jockeys late night delis and annoying commercials e g Geritol He also performed two songs that he wrote himself Fabulous 50s and Middle Class Educated Blues citation needed His next album Mind Over Matter 1974 included extensive discussion of the Watergate scandal and another song the title track about a kid who turned to humor to become popular 24 The funniest album by a standup comic since George Carlin s Class Clown leaves behind the grammar school nostalgia which although frequently amusing always seemed formulaic when it wasn t that kept Klein from sounding commercially uncompromised Unlike Carlin Klein gets better all the time Never trivial never cynical never lacking a comic purpose for his outrage he s up there with Pryor and Tomlin Review of New Teeth in Christgau s Record Guide Rock Albums of the Seventies 1981 25 Klein s follow up album New Teeth 1975 Epic CBS Records featured the comedian s on stage work on tracks such as Mother Isn t Always Right and his transposition of George Carlin s Seven Words You Can t Say On Television titled Six Clean Words You Can Say Anywhere with studio recorded material such as Continental Steel and On the Bayou 26 Klein responded to the end of the sexual revolution with his 1990 album Let s Not Make Love which contained many of the same routines as his 1984 HBO special Child of the 50s Man of the 80s and his 1986 special Robert Klein on Broadway 27 Film and television edit Klein has appeared in such films as The Owl and the Pussycat 1970 Hooper 1978 The Last Unicorn 1982 Radioland Murders 1994 One Fine Day 1996 Primary Colors 1998 The Safety of Objects 2001 Two Weeks Notice 2002 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2003 and Ira and Abby 2006 28 Klein had a recurring role in the TV drama series Sisters In the 1970s he hosted Saturday Night Live twice He also appeared as a guest star in the animated series Duckman in the NBC sitcom Family Ties and on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens 29 In 2005 he launched The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue his 8th HBO Special 30 In March 2007 Klein once again collaborated with Adam Sandler after appearing in Mixed Nuts in Reign Over Me and in September 2007 released a new DVD compilation of his eight live HBO specials entitled Robert Klein The HBO Specials 1975 2005 31 Klein starred in The Mysteries of Laura a crime dramedy on NBC starring Debra Messing In this series he played the father of the show s main character Laura He appeared alongside Messing again in the relaunched version of her sitcom Will amp Grace playing the father of her character Grace Adler 32 In 2014 Klein played the Canadian Ambassador on Madam Secretary 33 Klein played the Mayor of New York City in Sharknado 2 The Second One 2014 and Sharknado 3 Oh Hell No 2015 33 On 29 January 2018 producers announced that Klein would be playing Grace Adler s father Martin in the NBC revival of Will and Grace replacing Alan Arkin 34 Klein has authored an autobiography The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue A Child of the Fifties Looks Back 2006 35 Personal life editKlein is divorced from opera singer Brenda Boozer They have a son Alexander Stuart Klein who goes by Allie Klein and performs standup comedy 36 Influence editKlein has named Lenny Bruce Jonathan Winters and Rodney Dangerfield as comedy influences 37 Jerry Seinfeld has stated Klein s influences on him stating He was The Beatles of Comedy to me Various comedians including Bill Maher Billy Crystal Richard Lewis and Jay Leno all have also cited Klein as a comedic influence 38 39 Filmography editFilm edit Year Title Role Notes 1970 The Landlord Peter Credited as Bob Klein 1970 The Owl and the Pussycat Barney 1971 The Pursuit of Happiness Melvin Lasher 1972 Rivals Peter Husband 1978 Hooper Roger Deal 1979 The Bell Jar Lenny 1981 Nobody s Perfekt Walter 1982 The Last Unicorn Butterfly Voice 1988 Dangerous Curves Bam Bam 1990 Tales from the Darkside The Movie Wyatt Segment Lover s Vow 1994 Radioland Murders Father Writer 1994 Mixed Nuts Mr Lobel 1995 Jeffrey Skip Winkley 1996 One Fine Day Dr Martin 1998 Next Stop Wonderland Arty Lesser 1998 Primary Colors Norman Asher 1999 Suits Tom Cranston 1999 The Contract Jackson 1999 Goosed Dad Mel 2000 Labor Pains David Raymond 2001 Pinero Doctor 2001 The Safety of Objects Howard Gold 2002 I m with Lucy Dr Mort Zalkind 2002 People I Know Dr Sandy Napier 2002 Two Weeks Notice Larry Kelson 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Phillip Warren 2006 Ira amp Abby Seymour Black 2007 Reign Over Me Jonathan Timpleman 2010 The Back up Plan Dr Scott Harris 2011 National Lampoon s Dirty Movie The CEO 2011 Demoted Bob Farrell 2012 Another Dirty Movie The CEO 2012 Putzel Narrator Voice 2021 Before I Go Jasper Source Internet Movie Database and Turner Classic Movies 40 Television edit Year Title Role Notes 1973 Love American Style Michael Epiosde Love and the End of the Line 1974 Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers Mike Moran Episode Moran s the Man 1975 1978 Saturday Night Live Host Himself 2 episodes 1977 Visions Rebbe Episode A Secret Space 1985 George Burns Comedy Week Jay Miller Episode Death Benefits 1985 The Twilight Zone Bill Lowery Episode Wordplay 1986 Comedy Factory Robert Morgan Episode Father s Day 1988 Family Ties Roger Erdman Episode The Boys Next Door 1989 Murder She Wrote Barney Drake Episode Trevor Hudson s Legacy 1989 Trying Times Buddy Amber Episode A Good Life 1990 Midnight Caller Ryder Episode Ryder on the Storm 1993 Law amp Order Rick Mason Episode Sweeps 1993 Frasier Gary Voice Episode The Crucible 1996 Grace Under Fire Fred Mullens Ron 2 episodes 1996 Sisters Albert Barker 25 episodes 1997 Duckman Uncle Mo Dorkin 2 episodes 1998 Monty Python Live at Aspen Himself host Television special 1998 Dr Katz Professional Therapist Robert Episode Old Man 1999 Mad About You Stan Freitus Episode Farmer Buchman 1999 Cosby Jack Episode A Very Nice Dance 1999 The King of Queens Bruce Degner Episode Sparing Carrie 2001 Oz Robert Klein Episode Conversions 2001 Bob Patterson Landau 6 episodes 2004 The Stones Stan Stone 7 episodes 2008 Life on Mars Elliott Casso Episode Have You Seen Your Mother Baby Standing in the Shadows 2008 2010 Heartland Dwayne Trent 2 episodes 2009 2012 Law and Order SVU Dwight Stannich 4 epsides 2013 Royal Pains Bert Episode Hammertime 2013 2014 The Good Wife Lyle Pollard 2 episodes 2014 Madam Secretary Amb Lester Clark Episode Blame Canada 2014 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Himself Episode Opera Pimp 2014 Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley Self Documentary 2014 2016 The Mysteries of Laura Leo Diamond 5 episodes 2014 Sharknado 2 The Second One The Mayor Television movie 2015 Sharknado 3 Oh Hell No Mayor of New York Television movie 2015 The Seventies Self Episode Television Gets Real 2016 Robert Klein Still Can t Stop His Leg Self Starz Documentary 2018 2019 Will amp Grace Martin Adler 4 episodes 2022 George Carlin s American Dream Self HBO Documentary Source Internet Movie Database and TV Guide Theatre edit Year Title Role Venue Ref 1966 The Apple Tree Ensemble Guard Shubert Theatre Broadway 41 1968 Leonard Sillman s New Faces of 1968 Performer Booth Theatre Broadway 1979 They re Playing Our Song Vernon Gersh Imperial Theatre Broadway 1985 The Robert Klein Show Self Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway 1986 Robert Klein on Broadway Nederlander Theatre Broadway 1988 An Evening with Robert Klein Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway 1993 The Sisters Rosensweig Mervyn Kant Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway Comedy specials edit Year Title Studio Formats Ref 1975 On Location An Evening with Robert Klein HBO Broadcast 42 1977 On Location Robert Klein Revisited HBO Broadcast 1977 Klein Time CBS Broadcast 1981 The Robert Klein Show NBC Broadcast 1982 On Location Robert Klein at Yale HBO Broadcast 1984 Child of the 50s Man of the 80s HBO Broadcast VHS 1986 Robert Klein on Broadway HBO Broadcast VHS 1995 It All Started Here HBO Broadcast 2000 Child in His 50s HBO Broadcast DVD 2005 The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue HBO Broadcast Streaming DVD 2007 The HBO Specials 1975 2005 Standing Room Only Entertainment 4xDVD box set 2010 Unfair and Unbalanced HBO Broadcast Streaming DVD 2016 Robert Klein Still Can t Stop His Leg documentary Starz Broadcast StreamingDiscography editAlbums edit Year Title Label Formats Ref 1972 The Unauthorized Autobiography Of Howard Who Caedmon Records LP 1973 Child of the 50s Brut Records LP 8 track cassette 43 1974 Mind Over Matter Brut Records LP 8 track cassette 1975 New Teeth Epic Records LP cassette 1979 Original Cast Recording They re Playing Our Song Casablanca Records LP cassette 1990 Let s Not Make Love Rhino Records Cassette CDAwards and nominations editYear Award Category Nominated work Result Ref 1975 Grammy Award Best Comedy Album Child of the 50s Nominated 44 1976 Mind Over Matter Nominated 1979 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical They re Playing Our Song Nominated 41 1998 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play The Sisters Rosensweig Nominated 1998 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Actor in a Play Won 2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Child in his 50s Nominated 45 2011 Unfair and Unbalanced NominatedReferences edit Artist Robert Klein Grammy Awards Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein Biography 1942 Filmreference com Retrieved 2011 08 23 Robert Klein Biography Robertklein com Retrieved 2011 08 23 Eskenazi Joe June 24 2005 Robert Klein chases skirts washes tables J The Jewish News of Northern California Retrieved 2021 11 02 Bernstein Jesse May 26 2019 Comedian Robert Klein Cracks Wise Ahead of Bristol Riverside Theatre Shows The Jewish Exponent Retrieved 2021 11 02 Starr Michael 2017 03 30 At 75 comic Robert Klein finds praise hard to handle New York Post Retrieved 2022 02 12 Wasserstein Wendy June 20 1999 THEATER A Place They d Never Been the Theater The New York Times Retrieved 2009 09 15 DeWitt Clinton High School named for the 19th century New York mayor and governor is the alma mater of the comedian Robert Klein the designer Ralph Lauren and the writers James Baldwin and Avery Corman Robert Klein Biography The Conversation Company Ltd Archived from the original on 2008 05 09 Retrieved 2009 09 18 Markowitz Dan July 5 1998 Robert Klein Comedy Close to Home The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2017 03 31 Honeycutt Kirk February 11 1979 Robert Klein Tries On Neil Simon For Laugh The New York Times p D8 Retrieved 2021 11 02 Robert Klein The Second City Retrieved June 12 2022 The HBO Specials That Changed Comedy DirectTV Retrieved 2020 08 27 Saturday Night Live November 15 Robert Klein NBC Retrieved 2021 11 02 Saturday Night Live January 28 Robert Klein NBC Retrieved 2019 12 30 Saturday Night Live Tough Director NBC Retrieved 2019 12 30 Saturday Night Live Nick The Lounge Singer Sings Star Wars Theme NBC Retrieved 2019 12 30 Saturday Night Live The Olympia Restaurant Cheeseburger Chips and Pepsi NBC Retrieved 2019 12 30 Nominations 1979 Tony Awards Retrieved 2021 11 02 The Twilight Zone Wordplay IMDb Retrieved June 12 2022 Craven Wes DeGuere Philip 2020 The Twilight Zone The Complete 80s Series Audio Commentary Wordplay DVD CBS DVD Robert Klein Time IMDb Retrieved June 12 2022 Weber Bruce March 9 1998 Something Completely Nostalgic A Monty Python Reunion Minus One Slapstick Subversive The New York Times Retrieved October 9 2022 Artist Robert Klein Grammy Awards Retrieved June 12 2022 Mind over Matter Rateyourmusic Retrieved June 12 2022 Christgau Robert 1981 Consumer Guide 70s K Christgau s Record Guide Rock Albums of the Seventies Ticknor amp Fields ISBN 978 0 8991 9025 9 Retrieved 2019 02 28 via robertchristgau com Six Clean Words You Can Say Anywhere AllMusic Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein on Broadway Youtube Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein TCM Turner Classic Movies Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein TV Guide Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue HBO com Retrieved December 23 2022 Robert Klein The HBO Specials 1975 2005 Amazon 25 September 2007 Retrieved June 12 2022 Debra Messing Delivers Powerful MeToo Moment For Will amp Grace Deadline Hollywood 2 November 2018 Retrieved June 12 2022 a b Robert Klein Guild Hall of East Hampton Retrieved 2021 11 02 Hatchett Keisha January 29 2018 Will amp Grace Is Recasting Grace s Dad TV Guide Retrieved 2018 01 30 The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue A Child of the Fifties Looks Back Simon and Schuster June 14 2016 ISBN 978 1 4391 4436 7 Retrieved 2021 11 02 Zeitchik Steven May 11 2017 Robert Klein returns to a late night world that helped create him Los Angeles Times Retrieved October 9 2022 Hinds Julie March 30 2017 New film gives Robert Klein his due as a comedy icon Detroit Free Press Retrieved October 9 2022 Patterson Jordan W August 6 2017 Robert Klein Discusses Expansive Career In Comedy The Post Journal Jamestown New York Retrieved October 9 2022 At 75 there s still no stopping comedian Robert Klein The Associated Press March 29 2017 Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein TCM Retrieved June 12 2022 a b Robert Klein Playbill Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein Trakt tv Retrieved 2020 02 24 Robert Klein Discogs com Retrieved 2020 02 24 Artist Robert Klein Grammy Awards Retrieved June 12 2022 Robert Klein Emmy Awards Retrieved June 12 2022 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Klein Robert Klein at IMDb Robert Klein at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp Robert Klein at the Internet Off Broadway Database Robert Klein Biography from aish com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Klein amp oldid 1218608183, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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