Milton Berle

Full Name: Milton Berle born Mendel Berlinger
Profession: Comedian and TV Host

Nationality:

Biography: Milton Berle broke into show business by winning a Charlie Chaplin impersonation contest aged 5 and went on to become the first major American television star, so much so he was dubbed 'Mr Television'.

Berle had a successful career on stage, in vaudeville and on radio before landing a role on the new TV version of "Texaco Star Theater" in 1948. He became its permanent host and dominated the early days of television with his quick wit, gags and funny costumes. The show was so popular it is reputed to have driven the sales of new televisions and forced bars and clubs to change their usual day of closing to the same day the show was on.

In 1951 NBC signed him to an unheard of 30-year-contract of one million dollars. This led to the "Milton Berle Show" (1955-56) after Texaco Star Theater finished in 1954.

In his later career he frequently appeared on shows as a guest star and was an Emmy nominated guest actor for"The Dick Powell Show" in 1961 and for "Beverly Hills, 90210" in 1995.

He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1984,its first year and he has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for radio and TV.

Born: July 12, 1908
Birthplace: NYC, New York, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: March 27, 2002 (aged 93)