Berle, Milton (1908-2002), an American comedian and actor, became the first big star of television . In 1948, Berle became the host of “The Texaco Star Theater,” a TV variety show that became a national institution in its early years. Berle gained popularity for his extravagant comic style, which included bizarre costumes and sight gags. Berle’s viewers knew him as “Uncle Miltie” and he earned the title “Mr. Television” for his role in popularizing TV, which was then a new medium.
Berle was born on July 12, 1908, in New York City. His real name was Milton Berlinger. He began his show-business career as a child, appearing in about 50 silent motion pictures as well as on the stage and in vaudeville . He made his adult movie debut in 1937 in New Faces of 1937. He also worked as a comedian in nightclubs and performed on many radio shows, including his own “The Milton Berle Show” (1939-1948).
Berle had been well known as a comedian before television, but “The Texaco Star Theater” made him a superstar. The show’s title was changed several times before it went off the air in 1956. Berle returned to TV as the star of his own show in 1958 and 1959 and again in 1966 and 1967, but neither show was a success.
Berle’s major films include Margin for Error (1943), Always Leave Them Laughing (1945), It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Muppet Movie (1980), and Broadway Danny Rose (1984). He wrote two autobiographies, Out of My Trunk (1945) and Milton Berle, An Autobiography (1974). He also wrote a serious novel called Earthquake (1959) with Joe Roeburt. Berle died on March 27, 2002.
