18 Facts About Henny Youngman

Henny Youngman was born to Russian Jews Yonkel Yungman and Olga Chetkin in Whitechapel, in the East End of London, England.

Henny Youngman's family moved to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, when he was a child.

Henny Youngman grew up in New York City, and began as a comedian after he had worked for years at a print shop, where he wrote "comedy cards" containing one-line gags.

The comedy cards were discovered by up-and-coming comedian Milton Berle, who encouraged Henny Youngman and formed a close friendship with him.

Henny Youngman led a small jazz band called the Swanee Syncopaters, and during performances, he often told jokes.

One night, the club's regular comedian did not show up and the owner asked Henny Youngman to fill in.

Henny Youngman enjoyed it and began his long career as a stand-up comic.

Henny Youngman first played in clubs and speakeasies, but his break came on Kate Smith's radio show in 1937.

Henny Youngman returned to nightclubs and worked steadily, performing as many as 200 shows per year.

Henny Youngman never retired, and he performed his stage act in venues worldwide until his final days.

Henny Youngman would take his fiddle and go to some hotel that had banquet rooms.

Henny Youngman made numerous appearances on television, including a long-running stint on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.

Henny Youngman had cameo appearances in several movies, including Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood; History of the World, Part I; and Goodfellas.

Henny Youngman had a larger role as the strip-club owner in Herschell Gordon Lewis's The Gore Gore Girls.

Henny Youngman performed while holding his trademark prop of a violin and bow, occasionally playing a short interlude of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" on the violin in between jokes.

Henny Youngman explained the origin of his classic line "Take my wife, please" as a misinterpretation: he took his wife to a radio show and asked a stagehand to escort his wife to a seat.

Henny Youngman developed pneumonia and died at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan on February 24,1998, three weeks before his 92nd birthday.

Henny Youngman is interred in the Mount Carmel Cemetery, Glendale, New York, next to his wife Sadie.