Voting Station

Shelley Berman

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Comedian

The Resume

    (February 3, 1925-September 1, 2017)
    Born in Chicago, Illinois
    Acted in 'Meet the Fockers' (2004), 'Last Producer' (2000), 'In God We Trust' (2000), 'Teen Witch' (1989), 'Rented Lips' (1988) and 'Best Man' (1964)
    Recorded 'Inside Shelley Berman,' 'Outside Shelley Berman' and 'Edge of Shelley Berman'
    Portrays Nat David on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' Mr. Kaplan Jr. on 'Friends,' Judge Robert Sanders on 'Boston Legal,' Ben Flicker on 'L.A. Law' and Mel Beach on 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'

Why he might be annoying:

    His career almost ended in 1963 when he threw a tantrum that was filmed for an NBC documentary.
    He instructed the stage manager to take the back stage phone off the hook when he was on stage. Towards the end of his act the phone rang and interrupted his act./n/When he got back stage he threw the phone to the ground, which NBC filmed and showed nationally.
    He agreed to let NBC show his back stage tantrum, but TV viewer opinions turned against him.
    Because he worked alone and did not have ventriloquist skills, he would make believe he was on the phone talking to someone. It inspired Bob Newhart to do the same thing.
    He smokes.
    He is a perfectionist and expects the same from those around him.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He is best known as Larry David's dad on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.'
    He appeared in a memorable 'Twilight Zone' as a very angry man, a role specifically written for him by Rod Serling.
    He appeared in over 50 different roles on TV covering six decades.
    He fought in WWII as a member of the U.S. Navy.
    He continued to act well into his 80's.
    He was able to parlay being a successful stand up comedian into a sitcom actor.
    He was a dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios.
    He was a member of the original Second City Comedy Troupe, known then as Compass Players.
    'Inside Shelley Berman' won the first non musical Grammy. It also was the first comedy album to go gold.
    He appeared on the 'Ed Sullivan Show' 21 times.
    He's been married to the same woman for over 60 years.
    He adopted two children, Joshua and Rachel.
    Joshua died at 12 of a brain tumor. When Rachel gave birth to her son, she named him Joshua, in her older brother's honor.

Credit: bruce


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 32 Votes: 31.25% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 61 Votes: 70.49% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 35 Votes: 51.43% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 27.78% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 38.10% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 20 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 57 Votes: 38.60% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 34 Votes: 38.24% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 89 Votes: 47.19% Annoying