Red Buttons - Overview

Date of Birth: Feb 05, 1919 Date of Death: Jul 13, 2006

Place of Birth: Bronx, New York, USA

Nationality: United States

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Full Biography

Feisty, diminutive, red-haired comedian who regularly played very serious dramatic roles in features. 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, knockabout style. One of Buttons' oft-repeated gestures, placing his hands together in a desperate, somewhat prayerful manner, was on regular display in the show, and children everywhere mimicked the "Ho Ho! He He! Ha Ha! Strange things are happening!" theme song. His gallery of characters, meanwhile, including the Sad Sack; the Kupke Kid, a child; Rocky, a boxer; and the bumbling Keeglefarven, played up the at-once argumentative and long-suffering aspects of his persona.

When the show's popularity abruptly faded, Bu... Read More

Filmography (23)

The Story of Us (1999)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

The Ambulance (1990)

18 Again! (1988)

When Time Ran Out (1980)

C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979)

Milestones (18)

2005
Emmy nominated guest-starring role on the drama series "ER" (NBC)

2002
Had regular role on the Showtime series "Street Time"

1999
Made cameo appearance in the Rob Reiner-directed comedy-drama "The Story of Us"

1994
Appeared in the feature "It Could Happen to You"

1988
Returned to feature films after an eight-year absence in "18 Again!"

1987
Played recurring role of Al Baker on the CBS primetime soap, "Knot's Landing"

1985
Played the White Rabbit on the CBS musical miniseries, "Alice in Wonderland"

Photos From Last Movie