Jackie Mason was an American stand-up comedian and film and television actor.
Mason started out as a rabbi, following in his family's tradition, but eventually left rabbinical life behind to pursue a career as a comedian.
Doing stand-up at an L.A. nightclub, Mason was spotted by comedians Bill Dana and Jan Murray. They told Steve Allen, who put Mason on his show, and he became a popular guest on programs hosted by Garry Moore, Perry Como, Jack Paar, Ed Sullivan, the Smothers Brothers, and Dean Martin.
He also voiced Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky on eight episodes of The Simpsons.
Mason made an attempt at a sitcom in 1989 with Chicken Soup, in which he played opposite Lynn Redgrave. Unfortunately, the show only lasted 12 episodes.
He had better luck with the televised version of his one-man Broadway show called Jackie Mason on Broadway, for which he received Emmy and Grammy nominations.
Mason died July 24, 2021 in New York City, New York. He was 93.