"Laugh-In" Star Dick Martin Dies

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

(CBS/AP)  The show's quick pace and sketch comedy featuring regular characters influenced shows that followed, including "Sesame Street" and "Saturday Night Live."

Rowan and Martin landed the show just as their comedy partnership was approaching its zenith and the nation's counterculture was expanding into the mainstream.

The two were both struggling actors when they met in 1952. Rowan had sold his interest in a used car dealership to take acting lessons, and Martin, who had written gags for TV shows and comedians, was tending bar in Los Angeles to pay the rent.

Rowan, hearing Martin was looking for a comedy partner, visited him at the bar, where he found him eating a banana.

"Why are you eating a banana?" he asked.

"If you've ever eaten here, you'd know what's with the banana," he replied, and a comedy team was born.

Although their early gigs in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley were often performed gratis, they donned tuxedos for them and put on an air of success.

"We were raw," Martin recalled years later, "but we looked good together and we were funny."

They gradually worked up to the top night spots in New York, Miami and Las Vegas and began to appear regularly on television.

In 1966, they provided the summer replacement for "The Dean Martin Show." Within two years, they were headlining their own show.

The novelty of "Laugh-In" diminished with each season, however, and as major players such as Hawn and Tomlin moved on to bigger careers, interest in the series faded.

After the show folded in 1973, Rowan and Martin capitalized on their fame with a series of high-paid engagements around the country. They parted amicably in 1977.

"Dan has diabetes, and his doctor advised him to cool it," Martin told The Associated Press at the time.

Rowan, a sailing enthusiast, spent his last years touring the canals of Europe on a houseboat. He died in 1987.

Martin moved onto the game-show circuit, but quickly tired of it. After he complained about the lack of challenges in his career, fellow comic Bob Newhart's agent suggested he take up directing.

He was reluctant at first, but after observing on "The Bob Newhart Show," he decided to try. He would recall later that it was "like being thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool and being told to sink or swim."

Soon he was one of the industry's busiest TV directors, working on numerous episodes of "Newhart" as well as such shows as "In the Heat of the Night," "Archie Bunker's Place" and "Family Ties."

Born into a middle-class family in Battle Creek, Mich., Martin had worked in a Ford auto assembly plant after high school.

After an early failed marriage, he was for years a confirmed bachelor. He finally settled down in middle age, marrying Dolly Read, a former bunny at the Playboy Club in London. Survivors include his wife and two sons, actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin.

At Martin's request there will be no funeral, Greenberg said.

Martin lost the use of his right lung when he was 17, something that never bothered him until his final years, when he required oxygen 18 hours a day.

Arriving for a party celebrating his 80th birthday, he fainted and was treated by doctors and paramedics. The party continued, however, and he cracked, "Boy, did I make an entrance!"

[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.