Watch CBS News

Comedian Sid Caesar Dead At Age 91

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sid Caesar, a giant of the Golden Age of Television, has died.

He was 91.

Family spokesman Eddy Friedfeld says Caesar died early Wednesday.

Born Isaac Sidney Caesar in Yonkers, N.Y. on Sept. 8, 1922, the innovative, influential comedy genius's sketches lit up 1950s television with zany humor.

Caesar's two most important programs were "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour." He used them to display his incredible skill in pantomime, satire, mimicry, dialect and sketch comedy.

He paired with Imogene Coca in sketches that became comedy classics.

He attracted a stable of young writers who went on to highly successful careers of their own including Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.

Caesar also appeared on Broadway and on the big screen in the 1963 comedy epic "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World."

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.