Entertainer. He was best known for the highly-popular TV programs "Your Show of Shows" (1950 to 1954) and "Caesar's Hour" (1954 to 1957). Born Isaac Sidney Caesar into a Jewish family, his father was the proprietor of a luncheonette, Sid became a master of dialect as a child and was exceptional in mimicking many languages including Italian, Russian, Polish and Spanish. While in high school, he earned wages playing the saxophone in a small band at weddings. He focused fully on music and after graduation, he moved to New York City, where he studied at Juilliard School of Music. This led to an opportunity to pen comedy sketches on the "Borscht Belt Circuit" and by 1941, he become both an accomplished musician and comedian in New York City. During World War II, Caesar enlisted with the United States Coast Guard and while serving, he entertained the personnel. He became a member of a revue titled "Tars and Spars" and in 1945, a film adaptation was produced. Following the war, he relocated to Los Angeles and experienced a more substantial film role playing a nightclub comic in "The Guilt of Janet Ames" (1947). He went back to New York and appeared in the Broadway production of "Make Mine Manhattan" (1948) and during television's infancy, Caesar landed a job as host of a variety series titled "The Admiral Broadway Revue" (1949). His next series made him a household name. "Your Show of Shows" (1950 to 1953), "Caesar's Hour" (1954 to 1957) and "Sid Caesar Invites You" (1958) were groundbreaking for the legendary staff of writers, among them Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen. Imogene Coca would become long associated with Caesar through his programs. Later films include "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), "The Busy Body" (1967), "Silent Movie" (1976) and "Grease" (1978). Along with success, he endured the personal traumas of alcohol and medication abuse. He was married to Florence Levy from 1943 until her death in 2010. During the course of his career, he received multiple Emmy Awards and earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
Entertainer. He was best known for the highly-popular TV programs "Your Show of Shows" (1950 to 1954) and "Caesar's Hour" (1954 to 1957). Born Isaac Sidney Caesar into a Jewish family, his father was the proprietor of a luncheonette, Sid became a master of dialect as a child and was exceptional in mimicking many languages including Italian, Russian, Polish and Spanish. While in high school, he earned wages playing the saxophone in a small band at weddings. He focused fully on music and after graduation, he moved to New York City, where he studied at Juilliard School of Music. This led to an opportunity to pen comedy sketches on the "Borscht Belt Circuit" and by 1941, he become both an accomplished musician and comedian in New York City. During World War II, Caesar enlisted with the United States Coast Guard and while serving, he entertained the personnel. He became a member of a revue titled "Tars and Spars" and in 1945, a film adaptation was produced. Following the war, he relocated to Los Angeles and experienced a more substantial film role playing a nightclub comic in "The Guilt of Janet Ames" (1947). He went back to New York and appeared in the Broadway production of "Make Mine Manhattan" (1948) and during television's infancy, Caesar landed a job as host of a variety series titled "The Admiral Broadway Revue" (1949). His next series made him a household name. "Your Show of Shows" (1950 to 1953), "Caesar's Hour" (1954 to 1957) and "Sid Caesar Invites You" (1958) were groundbreaking for the legendary staff of writers, among them Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen. Imogene Coca would become long associated with Caesar through his programs. Later films include "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), "The Busy Body" (1967), "Silent Movie" (1976) and "Grease" (1978). Along with success, he endured the personal traumas of alcohol and medication abuse. He was married to Florence Levy from 1943 until her death in 2010. During the course of his career, he received multiple Emmy Awards and earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
