Actor, Comedian, Writer. Born in Lakewood, Ohio, with the name of Arley D. McCormick, he grew up in Rocky River where he attended Rocky River High School and was a star athlete, student council president, honor graduate and class clown. He graduated in 1948, and the 6'7" gentle giant entered the U.S. Army. He was a comedian and comedy writer who provided material to almost all the great comedians of his time. He will be remembered most as being one of the main writers for Johnny Carson and the "Tonight Show." He appeared in numerous movies and television shows; he is remembered for playing "Big Enos" in the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" with Burt Reynolds. After suffering a massive stroke in 1998 that left him paralyzed and speechless, he spent his remaining days in the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodlands Hills, California, where he died from the effects of the stroke. He is survived by a son, Ben McCormick, and a grandson.
Actor, Comedian, Writer. Born in Lakewood, Ohio, with the name of Arley D. McCormick, he grew up in Rocky River where he attended Rocky River High School and was a star athlete, student council president, honor graduate and class clown. He graduated in 1948, and the 6'7" gentle giant entered the U.S. Army. He was a comedian and comedy writer who provided material to almost all the great comedians of his time. He will be remembered most as being one of the main writers for Johnny Carson and the "Tonight Show." He appeared in numerous movies and television shows; he is remembered for playing "Big Enos" in the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" with Burt Reynolds. After suffering a massive stroke in 1998 that left him paralyzed and speechless, he spent his remaining days in the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodlands Hills, California, where he died from the effects of the stroke. He is survived by a son, Ben McCormick, and a grandson.
Bio by: Michael W. Mowrey
Family Members
Advertisement
