Entertainer. George Kirby broke into show business in the 1940s at an establishment that employed a variety-show format and hired talent. His first recording was as a stand-up blues singer in 1947. He was one of the first African-American comedians to begin to appeal to a wide spectrum audience during the 1960s and 1970s on various prime time variety shows from The Dean Martin Show to The Tonight Show and many others. His impressions targeted white actors rather than solely black stars, and he was an agile dancer. He also did vocal impressions of singers like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. In 1970, he produced The George Kirby Show; this led to his hosting Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour, which lasted for 22 episodes in 1972. He was also a regular in the British series The Kopykats. Following the demise of his show, his career declined. He took to selling drugs, and in 1977 he sold heroin to an undercover police officer; and spent 42 months in prison. His career never recovered, although he did have occasional appearances on a few sitcoms. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and made his last public appearance at a benefit in 1995 given by his friends to assist with his medical bills. He died of Parkinson's Disease at a nursing home.
Entertainer. George Kirby broke into show business in the 1940s at an establishment that employed a variety-show format and hired talent. His first recording was as a stand-up blues singer in 1947. He was one of the first African-American comedians to begin to appeal to a wide spectrum audience during the 1960s and 1970s on various prime time variety shows from The Dean Martin Show to The Tonight Show and many others. His impressions targeted white actors rather than solely black stars, and he was an agile dancer. He also did vocal impressions of singers like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. In 1970, he produced The George Kirby Show; this led to his hosting Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour, which lasted for 22 episodes in 1972. He was also a regular in the British series The Kopykats. Following the demise of his show, his career declined. He took to selling drugs, and in 1977 he sold heroin to an undercover police officer; and spent 42 months in prison. His career never recovered, although he did have occasional appearances on a few sitcoms. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and made his last public appearance at a benefit in 1995 given by his friends to assist with his medical bills. He died of Parkinson's Disease at a nursing home.
Bio by: Pete Mohney
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