- Martin, Dick
-
▪ 2009Thomas Richard MartinAmerican comedianborn Jan. 30, 1922, Battle Creek, Mich.died May 24, 2008, Santa Monica, Calif.was the irrepressible cohost with straight man Dan Rowan of the breakout hit television variety show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968–73), which featured an ensemble cast of largely unknown comics whose frenetic-paced routines were interspersed with unexpected drop-ins by celebrities such as Robert Goulet, Cher, Jack Benny, and even Pres. Richard M. Nixon. In its first two seasons, Laugh-In topped the ratings and won Emmy Awards for outstanding variety or musical series. The show introduced a slew of taglines, including one for Martin, “You bet your sweet bippy,” which became his signature. Prior to Laugh-In Martin and Rowan performed together in nightclubs, and after the show left the airwaves, Martin began a career in directing for TV.
* * *
Universalium. 2010.
