Jan Murray
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Jan Murray (October 4, 1916 - July 2, 2006) was an American stand-up comedian and actor who made his name on the Borscht Belt.
Jan Murray was born Murray Janofsky in The Bronx, New York City. His interest in comedy began during his childhood, when he would often act out comedy routines he'd seen at the local theatre for his bedridden mother. He began performing on the vaudeville stage at the age of 18, then later at the Catskills resorts popular with Jewish vacationers. In the early 50's he became a Las Vegas marquee performer, then later segued into TV, going on to host a number of gameshows such as Dollar a Second (1953-1957), Treasure Hunt (1956-1959), Charge Account (also known as The Jan Murray Show, 1960-1962), and Chain Letters. He was later a frequent panelist on The Hollywood Squares and co-hosted the annual West Coast Chabad Lubavitch telethon for many years.
Murray's film appearances included A Man Called Dagger, Tarzan and the Great River, Which Way to the Front?, and History of the World, Part I.
He moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and was a guest host of The Tonight Show on many occasions. He married Pearl Cohen in 1939, and had two children with her, but later divorced. In October 1949, he married Kathleen (Toni) Mann, had two children with her, and remained married to her until his death. Murray's production company, Jantone, took its name from their first names.
Murray retired from show business at the age of 83, as he felt his asthma was affecting his timing.
Murray died at the age of 89 in Beverly Hills California on July 2, 2006.
[edit] Trivia
- A home version of TREASURE HUNT was issued by the Lowell Toy Mfg. Corp.
- A home version of DOLLAR A SECOND was issued by the Lowell Toy Mfg. Corp.
- A home version of Jan Murray's CHARGE ACCOUNT TV word game, was issued by the Lowell Toy Mfg. Corp., New York, 56, New York, "as seen on NBC, 1961". It was game number 350.
