Shari Lewis was best known as the original puppeteer of the sock puppet Lamb Chop, first appearing on Captain Kangaroo in March 1956 and then the initial seasons of Hi Mom, a local morning television show which aired on WRCA-TV in New York City.
16 Facts About Shari Lewis
2.
Shari Lewis had one sister, Barbara, who was nine years younger.
3.
Shari Lewis received instruction in acrobatics, baton twirling, juggling, ice skating, piano, and violin.
4.
Shari Lewis hosted several New York children's series through the decade.
5.
On July 5,1953, Shari Lewis made her television hosting debut on Facts N'Fun on NBC-owned WRCA-TV.
6.
Shari Lewis performed witty comedy skits with two ventriloquist's dummies, Samson and Taffy Twinkle.
7.
Shari Lewis moved to WPIX in 1953 to replace Ted Steele as host of Kartoon Klub, which featured a variety format with a live studio audience.
8.
Shari Lewis performed with Randy Rocket and Taffy Twinkle, and the program featured reruns of Crusader Rabbit cartoons.
9.
NBC gave Lewis her first network program, The Shari Lewis Show, which debuted on October 1,1960, replacing The Howdy Doody Show.
10.
When Shari Lewis appeared before Congress in 1993 to testify in favor of protections for children's television, Lamb Chop gained permission to speak.
11.
Shari Lewis wrote many books and produced 17 home videos.
12.
Shari Lewis kept her surname from her first marriage to Stan Shari Lewis.
13.
Shari Lewis met Tarcher on the set of a radio show; they married a year later.
14.
Shari Lewis legally changed her last name to Lewis and took over her mother's work with Lamb Chop in 2000.
15.
Shari Lewis had a hysterectomy, but her doctors informed her that the cancer was inoperable and she was given six weeks to live.
16.
Shari Lewis was the recipient of numerous awards during her lifetime, including:.