Skip Stephenson
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Charles F. "Skip" Stephenson (April 18, 1940 - May 18, 1992) was an American comedian and actor. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated in 1958 from Holy Name High School. After attending a year at University of Omaha, Stephenson took a job as DJ in Alliance, Nebraska. Sometime during the 1970s he moved to Los Angeles and performed stand-up comedy at the Cabaret and the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
His big break came in 1979 as the co-host of NBC's Real People. Wearing bright crew-necked sweaters, he was known for his quirky comments and flirtings with co-host Sarah Purcell. A 1981 comic parody[1] by MAD Magazine summed up his part best: I'm Skip Stepinson, and I step in, son, with some bad jokes when things get serious!
Alongside this success came appearances on The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, The Match Game, and Hollywood Squares, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin. He released a comedy album, The Real Comedy of Skip Stephenson on Laff Records. Unfortunately, his career declined after the cancellation of Real People. He dabbled in country music in 1982, then went on to appear in a 1991 video, Skip Stephenson Live at the Comedy Store.
Stephenson died of a heart attack at his home at the age of 52. He is buried near his parents at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Omaha.
