HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The entertainment industry is mourning the death of legendary comedian Soupy Sales, who died Thursday in New York following a lengthy illness. He was 83.
Sales died at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher, told the Associated Press.
Sales was born Milton Supman on Jan. 8, 1926, in Franklinton, N.C. He began his television career in Cincinnati and Cleveland before heading to Detroit in 1953, where he hosted "Lunch with Soupy," a half-hour show that featured a cast of imagined characters.
Sales moved to Los Angeles in 1961 and eventually became a fill-in host on "The Tonight Show."
While his greatest success most likely came in New York with the children's program "The Soupy Sales Show," the comic's pie-throwing schtick was his trademark, with celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Tony Curtis among the stars lining up to take one on the chin.
"I'll probably be remembered for the pies, and that's all right," Sales said in a 1985 interview.
The comedian is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony.
Comments
I couldn't get home fast
I couldn't get home fast enough after school to plop down and watch Soupy. Probably drove my Mom nuts, but she knew this was harmless stuff. I bought the album, did the shuffle and memorized all the voices (White Fang, Black Tooth, Pookie and Hippy) and did my Soupy impressions at school..which I know drove the nuns nuts. Too bad. We have lost another part of a simpler era and our childhood. This getting old sucks, but I will always have very fond memories of 'The Soupman'. Thanks Soupy. Kepp 'em laughing up there.
I couldn't get home fast
I couldn't get home fast enough after school to plop down and watch Soupy. Probably drove my Mom nuts, but she knew this was harmless stuff. I bought the album, did the shuffle and memorized all the voices (White Fang, Black Tooth, Pookie and Hippy) and did my Soupy impressions at school..which I know drove the nuns nuts. Too bad. We have lost another part of a simpler era and our childhood. This getting old sucks, but I will always have very fond memories of 'The Soupman'.
As a 50's child growing up in
As a 50's child growing up in Detroit, I raced home every school day at lunchtime to watch "Lunch With Soupy." I learned the Soupy Sales Shuffle, knew what it was to be a good "birdbath" and was a member of the "Clean Plate Club." He was my hero who had friends like Blacktooth, Whitefang and Pooky. His pie in the face gags were always fun to watch! It was really good, wholesome entertainment that taught values at the same time. We were lucky to have Soupy in our daily lives and he will be missed!
We engaged Soupy for a pie
We engaged Soupy for a pie throwing "seminar" at LSSC, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. I had the privilege of making arrangments, meeting Soupy, etc. What a nice, nice man and a "hoot to boot."
THE FUNNIEST SKIT HE DID WAS
THE FUNNIEST SKIT HE DID WAS WHEN WHITE FANG WAS BARBECUING HAMBURGERS ON A GRILL AND HE ASKED SOUPY IF HE WANTED ONE. SOUPY SAID YES AND STARTED TO EAT IT. SOUPY SAYS HEY THIS HAMBURGER IS REALLY GOOD WHAT KIND IS IT. WHITE FANG TAKES OUT A PACKAGE OF GAINES BURGERS DOG FOOD.
It's ironic that the pie
It's ironic that the pie throwing, legendary Soupy Sales would pass at this time. A year when a team from New York, (the Yankees) where Soupy had so much success, became known for their walk-off wins and pies in the face, compliments of pitcher, A.J. Burnett. Thanks for the many laughs over the years. You were a true "comedian". Your smile meant mischief. Always a great ad-libber, a great interview and great guest of the talk shows. Your show from New York was so hilarious and unique, you actually became a folk hero. And had quite a cult following. Fans like me were loyal viewers of your show and of your career. Thanks for the laughs, Soupy. We'll miss you. Rest in peace.
Who of my generation can
Who of my generation can forget Soupy Sales. With Pookie, White Fang, Black Tooth, and don't forget...Hippy, the Hippo, The Soupy Sales Show was a hit with kids and adults. Although I was a kid when he was on TV, I watched him as an adult. He didn't speak down to childred. He made them laugh at him, at themselves. A truly loving human being who will be missed.
For baby boomers all over the
For baby boomers all over the country, Soupy is a legend. White Fang, Black Tooth, Pookie.... priceless memories. Thank you Soupy, you are a class act. You brought a lot of joy into millions of lives, including mine. Wishing you restful peace, and a heavenly pie in the face.
i worked at nbc in 1969 as a
i worked at nbc in 1969 as a page on the tonight show, i met soupy then and he was the funniest person i had the pleasure to meet on that show. when he said hello to you, you would begin to laugh. he was very sincere and kind to talk to and he left you chuckling every time, he was an extreme hoot to talk to and will be missed.
Thanks for the many
Thanks for the many after-school laughs you gave to those of us who were children of the 60s. Pachalafaka, Soupy, whatever it means....
We'll miss you.
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