Biography
Known as The Human Joke Machine, Amsterdam began his career as a cellist, then entered vaudeville with his brother. While performing, he penned jokes for such stars as Fanny Brice and Will Rogers, and co-wrote such songs as "Rum and Coca-Cola" and "Why Oh Why Did I Ever Leave Wyoming?". He was also a screenwriter for MGM and for various radio shows. By the late 1940s, Amsterdam was writing gags for himself, appearing on three daily series in …
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Career Milestones
| Appeared in "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (CBS) as Buddy Sorrell | ||
| Co-starred in series "Keep Talking" | ||
| Had regular role on the CBS daytime drama "The Young and the Restless" as a bumbling kidnapper | ||
| Had three daily radio shows; has never-broken record for doing 75 programs in one week | ||
| Talk show host of "Broadway Open House" precursor to NBC's "The Tonight Show" | ||
| Worked for network radio and as a screenwriter at MGM during the 1930s | ||
1922 | Radio debut as tenor | |
1930 | Appeared as musician with Optimistic Doughnut Program and Rube Wolf Orchestra | |
1930 | Wrote comedy material for Fanny Brice and Will Rogers | |
1932 | Wrote material for Al Pearce Gang | |
1948 | Hosted his own show "The Morey Amsterdam Show" | |
1948 | TV debut "Stop Me If You've Heard This One" | |
1953 | Film acting debut, "It Came from Outer Space" | |
1970 | Debut as executive producer, "Can You Top This?" | |
1996 | Last TV appearance, episode of NBC sitcom "Caroline in the City" which also featured Rose Marie | |
Awards
1966 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance By an Actor In a in The Dick Van Dyke Show |