Generic Introduction Page

Jack Benny

Childhood and Youth

Biography of
Jack Benny

Radio and Television

The main events in Jack Benny's career in radio
and television

The Jack Benny Show

What made the show so special?

Historical Significance

A discussion of the effects of Benny's performance on the rest of comedy history.

Chronology

Digital Bibliography

"Jack Benny had a style from the beginning. He stood straight and walked kind of sideways as if he were being shoved by a touch of genius - and knew it, and knew you'd know it, too, in a moment."
---William Saroyan

The legend of Jack Benny stretches far and wide. Fred Allen, Benny's colleague, once remarked, "There are two kinds of jokes, funny jokes and Jack Benny jokes." Although he may have been teasing, he was more right than wrong. In most cases, the punch lines of Benny's jokes were not that funny in themselves, it was his delivery and the audience's understanding of Benny's character, learned over the forty years in which Benny performed, that made his jokes so hilarious.

From violinist, to Vaudeville performer, to wartime entertainer, radio personality, and television star, Jack Benny has made his mark on American history. He will always be remembered as the stingiest man on earth, however, there was more to the man than stinginess, Rochester, Mary and the Maxwell. To those who knew him well, he is remembered as the best audience member, the most generous, the most loving, honest and genuine, down to earth radio and television star they have ever known.