Birthday: January 23, 1919 in Trenton, New Jersey, USA
Birth Name: Ernest Edward Kovacs
Height: 188 cm
Author, actor, comedian, composer and producer. He was educated at the New York School of Theatre, and received the Sylvania Television Award. Joining the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1957, he composed a number of songs and themes, a number of which were used in his famed television comedy sketches including &qu...
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Author, actor, comedian, composer and producer. He was educated at the New York School of Theatre, and received the Sylvania Television Award. Joining the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1957, he composed a number of songs and themes, a number of which were used in his famed television comedy sketches including "Mr. Question Man". His other popular-songs included "Ugly Duckling", "So Good to Me", "The Patty Cake", "The Irving Wong Song", and many more. Show less «
There is currently a formula for success in the entertainment medium, that is -- beat it to death if...Show more »
There is currently a formula for success in the entertainment medium, that is -- beat it to death if it succeeds. Show less «
Nothing In Moderation" - The epitaph on his tombstone
Nothing In Moderation" - The epitaph on his tombstone
I don't have an audience for my shows. I don't believe in that. An audience with free tickets will l...Show more »
I don't have an audience for my shows. I don't believe in that. An audience with free tickets will laugh at the pause because they've been told, nudgingly,'You are now to laugh'. And they're trying to be nice - they're fond of the people in the show and they want to show their appreciation and show they're glad to be there, so they'll laugh. Show less «
It's appropriate that television is considered a medium, since it's rare if it's ever well done.
It's appropriate that television is considered a medium, since it's rare if it's ever well done.
Some years ago I had a complete nervous breakdown, was dead broke and had to be put in a charity war...Show more »
Some years ago I had a complete nervous breakdown, was dead broke and had to be put in a charity ward with 30 others. I was there 18 months and doctors didn't give me long to live. So now each day to me is a special dividend, so I live it to the hilt. - response to gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, who asked him why he was "trying to kill himself." Show less «
[on the 'Ernie Kovacs Show'] This is not primarily a comedy show, this is more or less an experiment...Show more »
[on the 'Ernie Kovacs Show'] This is not primarily a comedy show, this is more or less an experiment that I'm doing. There is a strong element of comedy that runs through it, but it is a unique comedy. My particular affinity for the medium is to make it an electronic one and to use it for it's own intrinsic value and approach. But I don't put it above - nor do I put it below - other forms of comedy. This happens to be mine. Show less «