Las Vegas has lost a true icon of comedy as Shecky Greene, the renowned standup comedian known for his long career and collaborations with legendary entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, passed away at the age of 97. Greene's wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, confirmed his death to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

During his heyday in the 1960s and '70s, Greene was a regular fixture on TV talk shows and the guest star circuit. With his signature comb-over haircut and wide-lapel suits, he epitomized the Rat Pack-adjacent comedian, delivering lightly risqué and edgy anecdotal stories and zingers on stage.

One of Greene's notable achievements was his numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," where he showcased his comedic brilliance. He also worked as the opening act for Sinatra in Miami and Presley in Las Vegas. Fans may remember him for his recurring role on the ABC drama "Combat" during the 1962-63 season.

Greene's television career spanned various popular shows, including "Love, American Style," "The Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," "Laverne & Shirley," "The Fall Guy," "The A-Team," "Trapper John, MD," "Roseanne," and "Mad About You." Additionally, he had significant roles in films such as "Splash," Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I," and "Tony Rome."

"The Tonight Show" was a platform where Greene truly thrived, appearing in more than 60 episodes, including multiple occasions as a guest host in place of Carson. He even made a memorable appearance on the show during Jack Paar's tenure. Moreover, he co-hosted and guest hosted popular talk shows like "The Mike Douglas Show" and "The Merv Griffin Show." Game shows and variety shows also welcomed Greene, with appearances on "Tattletales," "Hollywood Squares," "Match Game," "The Dean Martin Show," and "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour."

Born and raised in the Chicago area, Greene served in the Navy during World War II and discovered his passion for comedy while attending college in Milwaukee. Martha Raye recruited him to perform at her nightclub in Miami, and he later returned to Chicago to entertain at the renowned Chez Paree nightclub.

However, Greene's career faced challenges due to his battles with mental health and substance abuse. In 1968, he made headlines when he drove his Oldsmobile into a fountain outside Caesars Palace, admitting he was under the influence at the time.

In the 1990s, after a period of inactivity caused by chronic depression, Greene made a remarkable comeback. According to longtime friend and former PR representative Tony Angellotti, he made a roaring comeback, filling the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles for two nights. This outstanding performance led to an invitation from Jay Leno to appear on "The Tonight Show," which subsequently reignited his career. Since then, Greene continued to work regularly, bringing laughter to audiences once again.

Greene had called Las Vegas home since the 1950s. His enduring association with the city began in 1954 when he performed alongside Dorothy Shay at the New Frontier casino. His final performances in Sin City occurred in 2011, marking the end of an era in his illustrious journey.

Not only was Greene an exceptional comedian, but he was also renowned for his ability to perform without a net or script. According to Angellotti, Greene never wrote down or bought jokes but rather conjured them, remembered them, and brought them to life on stage. He had a deep love for entertaining and went to great lengths to make people laugh, even calling up Angellotti's mother to sing impromptu songs or putting red frosting on his nose to amuse his young son. His gift of laughter will forever be cherished by all who had the pleasure of experiencing it.

In 1978, Greene celebrated a significant milestone in his career by taking out a full-page ad in Variety to announce his lucrative new contract with the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. "It has taken me 30 years of trial and error, triumphs and failures, good fortune and adversities to finally reach the apex of the first love of my profession - night clubs," he wrote, reflecting on his extraordinary journey.

Greene is survived by his loving wife Marie Musso Greene and their five adult children. The comedy world mourns the loss of a true legend, a master of laughter whose memory will forever be etched in the hearts of fans and fellow entertainers alike.