19 Facts About Bill Dana

William Szathmary, known as Bill Dana, was an American comedian, actor, and screenwriter.

Bill Dana often appeared on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, frequently in the guise of a heavily accented Bolivian character named Jose Jimenez.

Bill Dana benefited from the expertise of an older brother, Arthur, who was fluent in several languages and gave his sibling his second entry into foreign languages.

Bill Dana began his career as a page at NBC's famous Studio 6B while performing comedy in nightclubs around New York with partner Gene Wood.

Bill Dana's career took a major turn when he began writing stand-up routines for the young comedian Don Adams.

Bill Dana had several comedy albums but only one that strictly featured the Jose Jimenez character.

Hinkley and Bill Dana met as writers for the Allen show.

In 1961, Bill Dana made the first of eight appearances on The Danny Thomas Show, playing Jimenez as a bumbling but endearing elevator operator.

Bill Dana co-wrote the script for the Get Smart theatrical film The Nude Bomb.

Bill Dana's brother, Irving Szathmary, wrote the theme song for the Get Smart television series.

In 1966, Bill Dana wrote the animated television movie Alice in Wonderland, in which he supplied the voice of The White Knight.

In 1966, Bill Dana appeared uncredited in episode 48 of Batman playing Jose Jimenez, opening the window in the wall Batman was climbing and talking with him.

In May 1967, Bill Dana hosted his own late-night talk show, The Las Vegas Show, on the new United Network.

Joey Forman's 1968 parody album about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, called The Mashuganishi Yogi, was produced by Bill Dana, and includes a cameo of Bill Dana as Jimenez, as well as a cover appearance.

In 1970, responding to changing times and sensitivities, Bill Dana stopped portraying the Jose Jimenez character; however, he played the character again on the 1988 revival of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Bill Dana wrote the script for possibly the best known episode of the situation comedy All in the Family, entitled "Sammy's Visit", which featured Sammy Davis Jr.

Bill Dana would have a recurring role on The Golden Girls as Sophia Petrillo's brother Angelo.

Bill Dana reprised the role of Bernardo the servant on the CBS TV series Zorro and Son, but his performance was different from Gene Sheldon's pantomime counterpart on the 1950s live-action show.

Bill Dana died on June 15,2017, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 92.