Jack E. Leonard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack E. Leonard (April 24, 1910 – May 10, 1973) was an American comedian who made frequent appearances on television variety and game shows. His name at birth was Jack Lebitsky, and he was sometimes called Fat Jack.
Leonard's comedic method was sarcastic and aggressive, creating an "insult humor" genre which anticipated Don Rickles – who, he sometimes claimed, appropriated his performance style and material. A strong and unapologetic on-stage personality belied a gentle and giving spirit that all of his friends knew well, and which would occasionally be revealed in his act when he would perform against type and sing a sentimental song.
He wore a distinctive outfit: a dark suit which was purposefully two sizes too small, a white narrow-brimmed hat, and horn-rimmed glasses. On one variety show, Leonard's contemporaneous popularity was demonstrated when a lookalike came onstage and did a Leonard-like schtick. Then Leonard himself walked onstage and addressed his doppelgänger: "You've got a great future, son... but not in this business!"
Leonard was significantly overweight, a condition he sometimes referenced while performing. He collapsed onstage at a New York venue at age 63 and subsequently died from complications following a recent heart surgery.
