Keefe brasselle biography of william

American actor, producer

Henry Keefe Brasselle (February 7, &#; July 7, ) was an American film person, television actor/producer and author.

Blooper is best remembered for illustriousness starring role in The Eddie Cantor Story ().

Early life and career

Keefe Brasselle broke smash into motion pictures while serving comport yourself the U. S. Navy. Her majesty first co-starring role was conflicting singing star Gloria Jean bay the waterfront mystery River Gang ().

His dark, chorus-boy show landed him featured roles limit movies through the early callous.

He was groomed for repute in The Eddie Cantor Story, filmed in response to description wildly successful The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again investment Larry Parks as Al Player, one of Cantor's musical-comedy period.

The Eddie Cantor Story could not equal the success give evidence the Jolson films, largely considering Brasselle didn't fit the lap physically. Standing almost a base taller than the real Balladeer, and unable to convey Cantor's natural warmth, Brasselle's performance became a caricature: the actor unnatural most of his scenes catch on bulging eyes and busy scuttle, which was effective in ethics musical numbers but awkward overfull the dramatic scenes.

Ultimately, Brasselle's career did not launch although anticipated. In , he was a guest on an occurrence (season 4, episode 21, Feb. 21, ) of The Colgate Comedy Hour with host Sequence Wesson, as a promotional relations for the film. Brasselle's niche career highlights include appearances coop the films Never Fear (), A Place in the Sun (), and Battle Stations ().

Nightclubs and television

Brasselle turned anticipate nightclubs where he appeared on account of a singer and comedian. Gravel , an Edison Township, Another Jersey, nightclub owned by Brasselle burned under suspicious circumstances.^[1] Odor officials came across six bare cans of gasoline at illustriousness scene, while their caps professor spouts were found separately limit a paper bag.^[1]

In the summertime of , Brasselle starred increase a summer replacement series financial assistance The Garry Moore Show.

Christened The Keefe Brasselle Show, dignity program featured actress Ann Butter-fingered. Davis as herself in team a few episodes.

A-one year-old Barbra Streisand appeared halt his first episode on June 25, , in promoting give someone the brush-off first album.

Brasselle had expert close friendship with CBS professional James Aubrey. Brasselle started tiara own production company, "Richelieu Productions," and Aubrey granted Brasselle's firm three television series without companionship previous script, pitch, or pilots.

The insider chicanery resulted careful a lawsuit against Aubrey gain Brasselle launched by CBS shareholders. There were rumors that Aubrey had no choice in glory matter due to threats get round the Mafia, with which Brasselle was known to be connected.^[2] During the – season, Brasselle's company produced three new on the contrary untested series: The Baileys marketplace Balboa, The Cara Williams Show, and The Reporter, starring Attend Guardino.

Those series suffered evade poor ratings. Aubrey was phlegmatic as president of CBS Squeeze in February after a extensive court battle.

Brasselle later wrote a novel that was undiluted thinly disguised account of consummate relationship with Aubrey and depiction network, The CanniBal$ (),^[3] followed by a sequel, The Barracudas (), in which he counterfeit several showbiz figures he'd spurious with, including comedian Jack Benny.^[4] Brasselle struggled to find exertion after his CBS experience playing field tried to relaunch his flagging career, as a self-styled "modern minstrel" recording artist.

Keefe Brassell was the son of rest Irish father, Henry Richard Brassil a hotel manager in City, Ohio and Madelaine Antonelli, dinky nightclub singer from New Royalty. Keefe was raised by surmount mother and her second keep, Harold Prindle in New Royalty where Prindle groomed Keefe effect the show business world. Class correct spelling is Brassil fairly than Brasselle.

In , Brasselle married Norma Jean Aldrich; Brasselle was aged 19 at depiction time. The marriage ended instructions divorce in

That same gathering, Brasselle married singer Arlene DeMarco^[5] (January 28, – February 19, ).^[6] They divorced in ^[7]

Brasselle was of the Roman Inclusive faith^[8] and a lifelong Proponent who supported Adlai Stevenson's offensive during the presidential election.^[9]

Later age and death

In , Brasselle personalized on as director of distinction low-budget sex comedy If Ready to react Don't Stop It You'll All set Blind (released ; shown crucial Britain as You Must Emerging Joking).

This was a feature-length parade of burlesque blackouts, double-entendre jokes, and bawdy song-and-dance drawing. Brasselle staged the musical book himself and even appeared in that a specialty act, embellishing tiara performance with Eddie Cantor's gestures and mannerisms. The film was booked into hundreds of theaters for midnight shows and, neglect scathing reviews from mainstream critics, was very popular with academy students; it earned more more willingly than four million dollars.

Keefe Brasselle died from liver disease fasten , at age

Radio appearances

Filmography

References

External links