Biography
A veteran of New York burlesque and the Catskills comedy circuit, Buttons appeared as a pilot in training in the moral-boosting stage drama "Winged Victory", and recreated the role soon thereafter in the 1944 film version. He played on Broadway after WWII and enjoyed tremendous popularity during the first season of TV's "The Red Buttons Show" (1952-55). Part variety show, part sitcom, the program gave full vent to Buttons' manic, fast-talking, …
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Career Milestones
| "The Red Buttons Show" moved to NBC; format revamped into more of a sitcom style | ||
| Acted on Broadway after WWII in "Barefoot Boy with Cheek" | ||
| Performed in the Catskills at resorts along the famous "Borscht Belt"; also played in burlesque at Minsky's, among other places | ||
| Served during WWII; acted onstage in "Winged Victory" | ||
| Was a regular on the NBC comic tribute series, "Dean Martin's Celebrity Roast" | ||
1931 | Won an amateur night entertainment contest at age 12 (date approximate) | |
1935 | Worked as a combination bellhop and singer at a tavern in the Bronx at age 16; supposedly acquired the nickname "Red Buttons" because of his uniform | |
1942 | Made Broadway acting debut in a supporting role in "Vickie" | |
1944 | Made feature film debut in "Winged Victory" | |
1952 | Starred in the CBS sketch comedy and variety show, "The Red Buttons Show" | |
1966 | Starred in the title role of the ABC sitcom, "The Double Life of Henry Phyfe"; also performed title theme along with series co-star Fred Clark | |
1985 | Played the White Rabbit on the CBS musical miniseries, "Alice in Wonderland" | |
1987 | Played recurring role of Al Baker on the CBS primetime soap, "Knot's Landing" | |
1988 | Returned to feature films after an eight-year absence in "18 Again!" | |
1994 | Appeared in the feature "It Could Happen to You" | |
1999 | Made cameo appearance in the Rob Reiner-directed comedy-drama "The Story of Us" | |
2002 | Had regular role on the Showtime series "Street Time" | |
2005 | Emmy nominated guest-starring role on the drama series "ER" (NBC) | |
Awards
1957 | Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in Sayonara |
1957 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Sayonara |
1958 | BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer To Film in Sayonara |
1965 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Harlow |
1969 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? |
2005 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Drama Series in ER |