Actor-Comedian Charlie Callas Dies at 83
The veteran funnyman's career spanned more than 40 years in nightclubs, on television and in feature films.
Charlie Callas, a comedian and actor known for his ability to make silly faces and sound effects, died January 27, 2011, in Las Vegas. He was 83.
According to news reports, Callas died of natural causes.
For more than 40 years, Callas was a familiar presence on the nightclub circuit, and maintained steady television and film work.
Callas was a fixture on television variety shows, and appeared on such programs as The Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and was a co-host of The Joey Bishop Show.
When Jerry Lewis appeared on a talk show with Callas in 1965, he was so entertained that he gave Callas a role in his next movie, The Big Mouth, released in 1967.
Other feature films of note included Hysterical, Amazon Women on the Moon, Dracula: Dead and Loving It and History of the World: Part I. Perhaps his largest role came in 1977, when he provided the voice of Elliot, the title character in the animated movie Pete’s Dragon.
His television appearances include episodes of such series as The Munsters, Love, American Style, Switch, The Love Boat, Cagney and Lacey, L.A. Law and Cybill.
Callas was born Charles Callias in Brooklyn, New York, on December 20, 1927. He began his performed with various big bands, including those led by Tommy Dorsey and Claude Thornhill.
While performing music, he drew laughs with his goofy behavior and repartee—so much so that, in 1962, he decided to pursue comedy. A year later he made his first network television appearance on The Hollywood Palace, and shortly thereafter he was an opening act for Frank Sinatra.
Survivors include a son, Mark.