Entertainer. An influential comedian, he was a model for such performers as Richard Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reiser. He will be best remembered for his association with the "Tonight Show." Born to Jewish parents who were both vaudeville performers (some sources state his year of birth as 1945), he was raised in a poor Philadelphia neighborhood. After serving with the United States Army, he graduated from Temple University with a degree in Mass Communication. Brenner began his career as a standup comedian in Brooklyn, New York. His reputation grew nationally which led to roughly more than one-hundred and fifty appearances on the "Tonight Show" from the early 1970s until the mid 1980s, with many of them coming as guest host. In 1983, his bestselling autobiography "Soft Pretzels With Mustard" was published. He remained active in the industry with several specials on HBO, in addition to more books written and published. He died from cancer, but even in death, he kept the jokes coming. According to a family spokesman, his final request was to have $100 in small bills tucked in his sock -- "just in case tipping is recommended where I'm going."
Entertainer. An influential comedian, he was a model for such performers as Richard Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reiser. He will be best remembered for his association with the "Tonight Show." Born to Jewish parents who were both vaudeville performers (some sources state his year of birth as 1945), he was raised in a poor Philadelphia neighborhood. After serving with the United States Army, he graduated from Temple University with a degree in Mass Communication. Brenner began his career as a standup comedian in Brooklyn, New York. His reputation grew nationally which led to roughly more than one-hundred and fifty appearances on the "Tonight Show" from the early 1970s until the mid 1980s, with many of them coming as guest host. In 1983, his bestselling autobiography "Soft Pretzels With Mustard" was published. He remained active in the industry with several specials on HBO, in addition to more books written and published. He died from cancer, but even in death, he kept the jokes coming. According to a family spokesman, his final request was to have $100 in small bills tucked in his sock -- "just in case tipping is recommended where I'm going."
Bio by: C.S.
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