Legendary Las Vegas Comedian Shecky Greene Passes Away at 97
ICARO Media Group
Known for his incredible talent and larger-than-life personality, Greene entertained audiences for decades while battling various personal demons. His wife, Marie Musso Greene, confirmed that he died of natural causes at his Las Vegas home.
Greene's career soared to new heights with numerous appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where he became an occasional guest host. The comedian's garrulous act in the 1950s and '60s transformed the hotel lounge scene, making Las Vegas a 24-hour party town. His unique style, characterized by improvisation and physical comedy, allowed him to turn any situation into laughter.
Born and raised in Chicago, Greene had a knack for singing, impressions, storytelling, and wild tangents that delighted audiences. However, behind the scenes, he battled severe stage fright that often kept him from performing for extended periods. Furthermore, his struggles with alcoholism and prescription drug abuse were well-documented. In a notorious incident in 1968, Greene crashed his Oldsmobile convertible into the famous fountains outside Caesars Palace, making light of the situation even amidst the chaos.
Despite his erratic behavior and attitude at times, Greene's immense popularity kept him in demand at the Vegas hotels. Overcoming his addictions, he ultimately conquered his demons. However, his commitment to his craft sometimes came at a cost, such as losing his voice due to throat surgery, which forced him to take a year-long hiatus from performing.
In addition to his live performances, Greene made a mark in both television and film. He starred as Pvt. Braddock on the first season of Combat! and appeared in movies like Tony Rome (1968), The Love Machine (1971), and Splash (1984), among others. His unforgettable comedy acts on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace showcased his immense talent, though he often pushed the boundaries of time constraints.
Greene's career began in a small Milwaukee resort, where he formed a comedy duo with Sammy Shore, who would later become the co-founder of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. From there, he went on to perform in New Orleans, Chicago, and Reno before making his mark in Las Vegas. Greene's first appearance in Vegas in 1953 at The Last Frontier proved to be the turning point of his career, leading to extended engagements and introducing future stars like Elvis Presley.
Throughout his career, Greene's performances commanded high fees, earning him the distinction of being the second headline act at the MGM Grand Hotel after Dean Martin in 1975. His passion for horse racing led to a thoroughbred being named after him, and the Arlington Park racetrack even had a Shecky Greene Handicap race in his honor.
In his personal life, Greene was married to Marie Musso for 41 years, and he is survived by his two adopted daughters, Dorian and Alison. In memory of the legendary comedian, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Ranch of Las Vegas.
Shecky Greene leaves behind a legacy of laughter, dedication, and resilience. His contributions to the world of comedy will forever be cherished, and he will be sorely missed by his fans and peers alike.