Dick Shawn

Dick Shawn, born Richard Schulefand on December 1, 1923 in Buffalo, New York, was a prolific American actor and comedian whose career spanned three decades. He first burst onto the entertainment scene in the mid‑1950s, quickly becoming known for his manic energy, razor‑sharp timing, and willingness to push the boundaries of both comedy and character work. Shawn’s film credits include memorable supporting roles such as the mother‑obsessed Sylvester Marcus in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and the hippie‑type Lorenzo St. DuBois—affectionately called “L.S.D.”—in Mel Brooks’s The Producers, a part that earned him lasting acclaim for its satirical edge. Beyond the silver screen, he was a fixture on television, appearing on shows ranging from The Ed Sullivan Show to sitcoms like Three’s Company, and even guest‑hosting The Tonight Show on New Year’s Day 1971, a broadcast noted for airing the final cigarette commercial before the ban.
In addition to his screen work, Shawn cultivated a legendary stand‑up career that lasted over 35 years, touring nightclubs worldwide and delivering his award‑winning one‑man show, The Second Greatest Entertainer in the Whole Wide World. His performances often featured daring visual gags—such as emerging from a pile of bricks onstage—to surprise and delight audiences. He was also a popular speaker at Friars Club roasts, delivering famously outrageous bits like the pea‑soup “vomit” at the 1986 Playboy roast of Tommy Chong. Shawn’s personal life was anchored by his marriage to Rita Bachner in 1946, with whom he raised four children. Tragically, his life ended on stage during a performance at UC San Diego on April 17, 1987, when a heart attack caused him to collapse, initially mistaken for part of the act. He was interred at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, leaving behind a legacy of fearless comedy that influenced performers such as Andy Kaufman.