Comedian. Known as "The Original King of Insult" and "Fat Jack," often remembered for wearing his trademark Panama straw hat and his horn-rimmed glasses, he paved the way for a future generation of comedians, notably Don Rickles. Born Leonard Lebitsky, to Jewish parents, he acquired early performance experience on the Vaudeville circuit in musical and dance routines, prior to returning to his native Chicago, where he made a name for himself in area nightclubs for two decades, which he would open his shows with the line "Good evening opponents." During the 1950s, with the aid of television, Leonard gained national attention, as audiences grew accustomed to his unique and innovative brand of humor, on such programs as "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Jack Paar Show," "What's My Line?," "I've Got a Secret," "Match Game," "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and many others. Additionally, he appeared in the films "Three Sailors and a Girl" (1953), "The Disorderly Orderly" (1964) and "The Fat Spy" (1966). During the 1960s, he recorded the comedy and sketch material albums "How to Lose Weight with Fat Jack E. Leonard" (1964) and "Scream on Someone You Love Today" (1967). He suffered a heart attack following an appearance at New York's Rainbow Room and died the next day.
Comedian. Known as "The Original King of Insult" and "Fat Jack," often remembered for wearing his trademark Panama straw hat and his horn-rimmed glasses, he paved the way for a future generation of comedians, notably Don Rickles. Born Leonard Lebitsky, to Jewish parents, he acquired early performance experience on the Vaudeville circuit in musical and dance routines, prior to returning to his native Chicago, where he made a name for himself in area nightclubs for two decades, which he would open his shows with the line "Good evening opponents." During the 1950s, with the aid of television, Leonard gained national attention, as audiences grew accustomed to his unique and innovative brand of humor, on such programs as "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Jack Paar Show," "What's My Line?," "I've Got a Secret," "Match Game," "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and many others. Additionally, he appeared in the films "Three Sailors and a Girl" (1953), "The Disorderly Orderly" (1964) and "The Fat Spy" (1966). During the 1960s, he recorded the comedy and sketch material albums "How to Lose Weight with Fat Jack E. Leonard" (1964) and "Scream on Someone You Love Today" (1967). He suffered a heart attack following an appearance at New York's Rainbow Room and died the next day.
Bio by: C.S.
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