Actor and comedian. He is most remembered for his role as New York City sewer worker 'Ed Norton' in the long-running television series, "The Honeymooners" (1951-1956), in which he played the foil to Jackie Gleason's bus driver role of 'Ralph Kramden.' He won 5 Emmys for that role, and a total of 7 Emmys altogether. He also won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1974, for his role in the movie "Harry and Tonto" (1974). Born in Mount Vernon, New York, he was the son of a newspaperman and publicist. After appearing in amateur theater, he won a job in 1937 with Horace Heidt's dance band, doing impressions and singing novelty songs. He was considered an expert imitator of the voice of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. In 1944, he was drafted into the Army and took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy, where he was wounded in the leg. His injuries left him with a slight limp for the rest of his life. After the war, he returned to radio shows, and in 1948, won a part on the TV show, "The Morey Amsterdam Show," which led to his role on "The Honeymooners." In later years, he created the role of fussy 'Felix Unger' in the original stage production of "The Odd Couple" and appeared in numerous movies, including "A Guide for the Married Man" (1967), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "The Muppets Take Manhattan" (1985), and "Last Action Hero" (1993). He died in 2003 at age 85 at his home in Chester, Connecticut, following a long illness.
Actor and comedian. He is most remembered for his role as New York City sewer worker 'Ed Norton' in the long-running television series, "The Honeymooners" (1951-1956), in which he played the foil to Jackie Gleason's bus driver role of 'Ralph Kramden.' He won 5 Emmys for that role, and a total of 7 Emmys altogether. He also won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1974, for his role in the movie "Harry and Tonto" (1974). Born in Mount Vernon, New York, he was the son of a newspaperman and publicist. After appearing in amateur theater, he won a job in 1937 with Horace Heidt's dance band, doing impressions and singing novelty songs. He was considered an expert imitator of the voice of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. In 1944, he was drafted into the Army and took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy, where he was wounded in the leg. His injuries left him with a slight limp for the rest of his life. After the war, he returned to radio shows, and in 1948, won a part on the TV show, "The Morey Amsterdam Show," which led to his role on "The Honeymooners." In later years, he created the role of fussy 'Felix Unger' in the original stage production of "The Odd Couple" and appeared in numerous movies, including "A Guide for the Married Man" (1967), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "The Muppets Take Manhattan" (1985), and "Last Action Hero" (1993). He died in 2003 at age 85 at his home in Chester, Connecticut, following a long illness.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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