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IN MEMORY OF COMIC-ACTOR PAUL LYNDE #02 |
Updated: October 11, 2022
Paul Edward Lynde (June 13, 1926-January 10, 1982) was an
American comedian and actor. A noted character actor, Lynde
was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and
Harry McAfee, the befuddled father in Bye Bye Birdie. He was
also the regular "center square" on the classic game show,
Hollywood Squares, from 1968 to 1981.
Lynde made his Broadway debut in the hit revue New Faces of
1952 which he co-starred in opposite fellow newcomers Eartha
Kitt, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. In one now-famous
monologue, the "Trip of the Month Club," Lynde portrayed a man
on crutches recounting his misadventures on the African safari
he took with his late wife. The show was filmed and
released as a movie in 1954.
After the revue's run, Lynde co-starred in the short-lived
sitcom Stanley opposite Buddy Hackett and Carol Burnett, both
of whom were also starting out their careers in show business.
In 1960, Lynde returned to Broadway when he was cast as the
father in Bye Bye Birdie. He reprised the role in the play's
film adaptation, which was released in 1963 and co-starred
Dick van Dyke and Ann-Margret.
Over the years, Lynde made regular appearances on sitcoms such
as The Phil Silvers Show, The Munsters, and I Dream of
Jeannie, and variety shows such as The Perry Como Show and The
Dean Martin Show. He has been a frequent guest on the Donny
and Marie Osmond Show. He is often best remembered for his
recurring role as "Uncle Arthur" on Bewitched.
Scene from Bewitched with Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur
Lynde also did extensive voice work on animated cartoons,
particularly those of Hanna-Barbera Productions. His most
notable roles included Sylvester Sneakly (a.k.a. "The Hooded
Claw") in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop and Pertwee from
Where's Huddles?. He also voiced the role of Templeton the
gluttonous rat in the animated feature Charlotte's Web, whose
most memorable line was the sly, drawn-out whine, "What's in
it for meeee?"
In 1966, Lynde debuted on the fledgling game show Hollywood
Squares, where he eventually won the coveted spot as the
permanent center square and was able to showcase his comedic
talents for the next several years. He left the show in
1979, but returned for the 1980-81 season. Lynde won two Emmy
Awards for his work on Hollywood Squares.
In 1972, Lynde starred in the short-lived sitcom, The Paul
Lynde Show, playing an uptight attorney and father at odds
with his liberal-minded son. The series was cancelled after
only one season. The series' failure reportedly exacerbated
Lynde's pre-existing drinking problem, which led to numerous
run-ins with the law and frequent arrests for public
intoxication.
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