Benny, Jack (1894-1974), was an American radio , television , and motion picture comedian . He entered show business at the age of 17, playing his violin in a vaudeville act. He made his first motion picture in 1929 and later appeared in more than 20 films, including To Be or Not to Be (1942), It’s in the Bag (1945), and The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945). Benny starred in a popular weekly radio program from 1932 to 1955 and a weekly television program from 1950 to 1965. His television show used his old radio theme of the comedy adventures of a vain, stingy man. Benny was born on Feb. 14, 1894, in Chicago. His real name was Benjamin Kubelsky. Benny died on Dec. 26, 1974.