Entertainer. A popular standup comedian, he later became associated with early television game shows. He is remembered by TV audiences for his hosting of the program "Treasure Hunt" (1956 to 1959). Born Murray Janofsky into a Jewish family, Murray's gift for comedy can be traced back to when as a child he would tell jokes to his mother who was bedridden in an attempt to cheer her up. By the age of eighteen, he experienced performing on the vaudeville stage and later was a part of the "Borscht Belt" circuit at the Catskill Mountains in New York of which also produced such stars as Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles and Joey Bishop, to name a few. During World War II, he entertained American troops at USO shows. His lengthy association with television began in 1949 when he became host of the program "Your Big Moment" and during the 1950s, he alternated between hosting duties for numerous series and performing comedy routines on such show as "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Steve Allen Show" and "The Jack Paar Show." Murray was a longtime, frequent guest star on the series "The Hollywood Squares" from 1968 until 1980. Additionally, he filled in for Johnny Carson on several occasions as host of "The Tonight Show." Murray also experienced many acting roles on such TV programs as "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Mannix," "Kolchak, the Night Stalker" and "Hunter." His film credits include "The Busy Body" (1967), "Tarzan and the Great River" (1967), "The Angry Breed" (1968), "A Man Called Dagger" (1968) and "History of the World, Part I" (1981). He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for his work in television.
Entertainer. A popular standup comedian, he later became associated with early television game shows. He is remembered by TV audiences for his hosting of the program "Treasure Hunt" (1956 to 1959). Born Murray Janofsky into a Jewish family, Murray's gift for comedy can be traced back to when as a child he would tell jokes to his mother who was bedridden in an attempt to cheer her up. By the age of eighteen, he experienced performing on the vaudeville stage and later was a part of the "Borscht Belt" circuit at the Catskill Mountains in New York of which also produced such stars as Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles and Joey Bishop, to name a few. During World War II, he entertained American troops at USO shows. His lengthy association with television began in 1949 when he became host of the program "Your Big Moment" and during the 1950s, he alternated between hosting duties for numerous series and performing comedy routines on such show as "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Steve Allen Show" and "The Jack Paar Show." Murray was a longtime, frequent guest star on the series "The Hollywood Squares" from 1968 until 1980. Additionally, he filled in for Johnny Carson on several occasions as host of "The Tonight Show." Murray also experienced many acting roles on such TV programs as "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Mannix," "Kolchak, the Night Stalker" and "Hunter." His film credits include "The Busy Body" (1967), "Tarzan and the Great River" (1967), "The Angry Breed" (1968), "A Man Called Dagger" (1968) and "History of the World, Part I" (1981). He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for his work in television.
Bio by: C.S.
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Jan Murray
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Opened 10-4-16 Bronx NY
Closed 7-2-06 Beverly Hills CA
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