Stubby Kaye

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Stubby Kaye (November 11, 1918 – December 14, 1997) was an American comic actor. He was born Bernard Sholm Kotzin in New York on West 114th Street in the Washington Heights Section of Manhattan to first generation Jewish Americans originally from Russia and Austria. He was raised in the Far Rockaway section of Queens and in the Bronx.

Kaye is best known for defining the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, first on Broadway and then in the film version. He also played Marryin' Sam in Li'l Abner (which featured his signature song, "Jubilation T. Cornpone"), again on both stage and screen. In 1962 he played the Mikado in Michael Winner's The Cool Mikado. His last featured role was as Marvin Acme in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Around this time he also made a guest appearance on the British science fiction series, Doctor Who.

During the 1960s, Kaye became well known in the UK as host of a weekly children's talent show, Stubby's Silver Star Show. From 1964 - 1965 he hosted the Saturday-morning children's game show Shenanigans on ABC.He loved living in the UK and often referred to himself as the Kosher Squire.

He died on December 14, 1997 from lung cancer in Los Angeles, California and made his home in Rancho Mirage.