Dick Shawn

About

Dick Shawn (December 1, 1923 – April 17, 1987) was an American actor. Way ahead of his time most say, it was extremely difficult indeed to know how to properly tap into this man's eclectic talents. Shawn began inching toward the forefront during the be-bop 50s and early 60s with his odd penchant for playing cool cats. During his mild bid for film stardom, he was top-billed as a hip, laid back genie in the thoroughly dismal satire The Wizard of Baghdad (1960), but seemed to have better luck when taken in smaller doses. He fared quite well opposite another "way-out-there" comedian, Ernie Kovacs, in Wake Me When It's Over (1960) as a hustling soldier out to make a buck in the Far East. Also on the plus side, he replaced Zero Mostel in the bawdy musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on Broadway and stole a small scene in the all-star epic comedy It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad...

Known for

The Love BoatSeries • 1977Magnum, P.I.Series • 1980St. ElsewhereSeries • 1982The Twilight ZoneSeries • 1985The Lucy ShowSeries • 1962Tales from the DarksideSeries • 1984Medical CenterSeries • 1969Laverne & ShirleySeries • 1976That GirlSeries • 1966Amazing StoriesSeries • 1985Faerie Tale TheatreSeries • 1982The DuPont Show with June AllysonSeries • 1959Batman & RobinMovie • 1997ABC Stage 67Series • 1966It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldMovie • 1963The ProducersMovie • 1968AngelMovie • 1984Captain EOMovie • 1986The Year Without a Santa ClausMovie • 1974Love at First BiteMovie • 1979WaterMovie • 1985PenelopeMovie • 1966What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?Movie • 1966Maid to OrderMovie • 1987