"Laugh-In" Star Dick Martin Dies

Remembered As Zany Half Of Duo Whose TV Show Revolutionized Comedy In The 1960s

(CBS/AP)  Dick Martin, the zany half of the comedy team whose "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" took television by storm in the 1960s, making stars of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin and creating such national catch-phrases as "Sock it to me!" has died. He was 86.

Martin, who went on to become one of television's busiest directors after splitting with Rowan in the late 1970s, died Saturday night of respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, family spokesman Barry Greenberg said.

"He had had some pretty severe respiratory problems for many years, and he had pretty much stopped breathing a week ago," Greenberg said.

Martin had lost the use of one of his lungs as a teenager, and needed supplemental oxygen for most of the day in his later years.

He was surrounded by family and friends when he died just after 6 p.m., Greenberg said.

"Laugh-in," which debuted in January 1968, was unlike any comedy-variety show before it. Rather than relying on a series of tightly scripted song-and-dance segments, it offered up a steady, almost stream-of-consciousness run of non-sequitur jokes, political satire and madhouse antics from a cast of talented young actors and comedians that also included Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and announcer Gary Owens.

Presiding over it all were Rowan and Martin, the veteran nightclub comics whose standup banter put their own distinct spin on the show.

Like all straight men, Rowan provided the voice of reason, striving to correct his partner's absurdities. Martin, meanwhile, was full of bogus, often risque theories about life, which he appeared to hold with unwavering certainty.

2Against this backdrop, audiences were taken from scene to scene by quick, sometimes psychedelic-looking visual cuts, where they might see Hawn, Worley and other women dancing in bathing suits with political slogans (or just plain nonsense) painted on their bodies. Other times, Gibson, clutching a flower, would recite nonsensical poetry, or Johnson would impersonate a comical Nazi spy.

"Laugh-In" astounded audiences and critics alike. For two years the show topped the Nielsen ratings, and its catchphrases "Sock it to me," "You bet your sweet bippy" and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall's" - were recited across the country.

Several huge stars of the day made frequent guest appearances on the show, including Jack Benny, Flip Wilson, Johnny Carson, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Stars such as John Wayne and Kirk Douglas were delighted to make brief appearances, and even Richard Nixon, running for president in 1968, dropped in to shout a befuddled-sounding "Sock it to me?" His opponent, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, was offered equal time but declined because his handlers thought it would appear undignified.

[tonysj1]

During the height of Laugh-In, *** Martin hosted a game show (I can''t remember its name) in the summer one year in the early 1970''s. There were three questions. The first one was worth one point, the second was worth one point, and the third one was worth twenty points. So that meant that the first two questions didn''t matter at all!! I always thought that was hilarious!

[shortmama2]

Fitting tributes to a unique artist. Also a
pleasure to read these intelligent tributes --
if only they prevailed in Cyberspace.

[luckygirl042]

Laugh-in sure brings back the memories. We never missed it, it was sweet and silly and a riot. A lot of people thought it was shocking with all the double meanings, but the only "F" word on this show was "Funny"! I do have to say it, too,
"Say good night ***"! We''ll, miss you.

[harp1963]

These guys were classics. Thanks for the memories.

[harrydoghiny]

Goodnight, Dikk, you made us all laugh. What a concept.

[blackwater66-2009]

Sock it to me *** !! Be seeing you on the other side my friend !!

Rest in peace brother !!

[hissteps4u]

I hve very fond memories of the show and enjoyed it alot. At age 52 now comedy has taken a strange turn in years. not for the better in some cases. It was a great show

[hypnotoad72]

That file photo probably came from 1968; season 2 ran from 68-69 and that background was used only in that season. (maybe season 1, but the show was a mid-season replacement if I recall rightly...)

And, yes, what passes as comedy today most certainly is not.

May he be in Heaven, sockin'' it to everyone. :)

[monkfellow]

I showed some YouTube clips to my mass comm students. They laughed out loud, after they spent a couple of minutes trying to figure out what was going on all over the set.
What passes for comedy on TV today IS NOT.
SOCK it to ME, ***. Rest in peace.

[haoli25]

May his ''BIPPY'' rest in peace.

[brianbwb-2009]

A positive contribution to the evolution of American TV, I was disappointed when this ground-and-format breaking show was abruptly replaced, without announcement, with the Smothers Brothers" show, while it was still popular, with many of the comic characters becoming pop icons.

G''nite, Mr. Martin.