Milton Berle (1908-2002) was a comedian known for his work on vaudeville, in films, and especially early TV comedy (earning the nickname "Mr. Television" for his work on Texaco Star Theater).
Berle guest starred on The Muppet Show episode 203.
He made a cameo appearance in The Muppet Movie as the used-car salesman Mad Man Mooney.
He died on March 27, 2002, the same day as his fellow Muppet Show guest star Dudley Moore.
References[]
- In the February 28, 1982 installment of The Muppets comic strip (reprinted in Moving Right Along!), Fozzie Bear is cleaning his room and considers tidying away all his "nostalgic junk," including his "autographed picture of Milton Berle."
- One of Berle's signature gags was the line "Makeup!", followed by an oversized powder puff hitting the person, normally Berle, in the face with a large cloud of dust. In the Muppet Babies episode "This Little Piggy Went to Hollywood," Baby Animal uses the gag on Baby Piggy in a running gag throughout the episode. This gag was also incorporated into the opening of Berle's Muppet Show episode.
- In 1978, Kermit appeared on an NBC Special A Tribute to Mr. Television: Milton Berle introducing a montage of Berle's "Makeup!" gags, which included the clip from Berle's Muppet Show episode.
- Berle's star from the Hollywood's Walk of Fame is seen during "I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu)" in Muppets Most Wanted.