Paul Lynde

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Paul Edward Lynde (June 13, 1926 – January 11, 1982) was an American comedian, voice artist, game show panelist, and actor.

Lynde, a character actor with a distinctively campy and snarky persona who often mocked his barely emerging homosexuality, appeared on Bewitched, Befuddled father Harry MacAfee in Bye Birdie, and as a regular "center square" panelist on the game show The Hollywood Squares from 1968 to 1981.

He also acted animated characters in four Hanna-Barbera productions. Lynde has consistently ranked in audience polls of the most adored TV stars in the UK, and has been lauded and praised by his peers throughout his lifetime.

Mel Brooks used to say Lynde could be amused by reading "a phone book, tornado warning, or seed catalog." Lynde once said that although he would rather be known as a serious actor, "We live in a world that loves laughter," he said, and I've decided that if I can make people laugh, I'm making a significant contribution."

Early life

Paul Lynde was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the uncle of Sylvia Bell (Doup) and Hoy Corydon Lynde, who owned and operated a meat market. Lynde had older sisters, Grace and Helen, older brothers, Richard Hoy and Coradon ("Cordy") George, and younger brother, John ("Johnny") Johnny. Coradon's uncle, Coradon, died in 1944 at the age of 21, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. His parents died within three months of each other five years ago in 1949.

Lynde descended on Mount Vernon High School in 1944, where he played the bass drum in the high school band. He then studied speech and drama at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where his classmates included Cloris Leachman, Charlotte Rae, Patricia Neal, Jeffrey Hunter, and Claude Akins. He was active in the school's dramatic productions and joined the Upsilon chapter of Fraternity Phi Kappa Sigma. He is rated as one of the nation's most popular celebrities. He graduated in 1948.

Personal life

Lynde's private life and sexual orientation were not explicitly revealed or discussed on television or in other media during his lifetime, despite his flamboyant television persona. Entertainment journalists did not investigate the personal lives of artists who were best known as game show regulars in the 1970s, according to an article on The Biography Channel's website.

Stan Finesmith, who was described as Lynde's hairstylist, "suite mate," and "chauffeur-bodyguard" in a 1976 People magazine article on Lynde, was included in a text about him. One photograph of Lynde styled his hair was included in the magazine. This was as close as the media ever hinted at Lynde's homosexuality during his lifetime. In a 2018 interview, Cathy Rudolph, a friend of Lynde's 2013 book Paul Lynde: A Biography – His Life, His Love(s), and his Laughter, expressed disappointment about being gay and having to hide it.

Lynde bought Errol Flynn's Hollywood mansion and invested a considerable amount of money on upgrades and decor, given the abundance he had earned while working on Hollywood Squares. Harry MacAfee, his beloved dog, lived there until Harry died in 1977. Lynde was unable to live in the house alone and later bought a new one.

Lynde, who was overweight at the time, was suffering from weight loss after graduating from high school. In 1977, Weight Watchers named him.

Lynde struggled with alcoholism and had several run-ins with the new bill, including frequent arrests for public intoxication. When incarcerated, Peter Marshall and Kaye Ballard revealed that Lynde became cruel, often violent, and would often mock his families.

Lynde was involved in an incident in which a friend, another young actor, inadvertently fell to his death from the window of their hotel room in San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake Hotel in July 1965. According to an Associated Press article, Lynde and 24-year-old James "Bing" Davidson had been drinking for hours when Davidson died, down and down eight stories.

Lynde was involved in an incident at Northwestern University, when he was the Grand Marshal for homecoming in October 1977. He made racial comments and movements to African-American NU professor James P. Pitts at a fast food restaurant near the university after the homecoming parade. Lynde attributed his inebriation and inebriation.

Lynde was arrested outside a tavern and charged with interfering with a police officer in January 1978 while in Salt Lake City to film a segment for Donny & Marie's television show Donny & Marie. When Lynde was inside the tavern, his car had been broken into and his possessions were stolen. Instead, the detaining officer had been investigating another car and discovered Lynde continued to insist that he "attend Lynde's report." The lawsuit was later dismissed.

Lynde became sober and drug-free in early 1980, determined to get his life back to track.

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Career

Lynde, a bachelor who went to college, migrated to New York City, working odd jobs while waiting for his show business break. At the famed supper club Number One Fifth Avenue, his first appearance as a stand-up comedian was at the famed supper club Number One Fifth Avenue. He made his Broadway debut in the hit comedy New Faces of 1952, in which he co-starred with fellow newcomers Eartha Kitt, Robert Clary, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. Lynde portrayed a man on crutches recounting his misadventures on Africa's safari trip with his late wife in his monologue from that revue. In 1954, the program was filmed and released as New Faces.

Lynde co-starred in the short-lived 1956 sitcom Stanley opposite Buddy Hackett and Carol Burnett, both of whom were also working in show industry, following the revue's run. He appeared on NBC's sitcom The Martha Raye Show earlier this year.

In 1960, Lynde, the father of Bye Bye Birdie, appeared in Broadway. He appeared in the 1963 film version as well. He recorded a live album in 2005 that was later released as an LP record. He wrote all six tracks. Although he could afford writers, he seldom used his own work until his time on The Hollywood Squares years later.

In the 1960s, Lynde was in high demand. He appeared on NBC's The Perry Como Show as part of Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, and Sandy Stewart during the 1961-1962 television season. He appeared on many sitcoms, including The Patty Duke Show, The Farmer's Daughter, The Patty Duke Show, The Patty Duke Exhibition, The Flight of Jeannie and F Troop; and many others; The Ed Sullivan Exhibition and The Dean Martin Exhibition. In addition, he appeared in a number of 1960s films, including Send Me No Flowers and The Glass Bottom Boat, which both starred Doris Day. Bewitched was Lynde's best-known sitcom appearance.

Lynde made his debut on Bewitched in 1965 during the first-season series "Driving is the Only Way to Fly" (air date March 25, 1965). Samantha Stephens' befuddled driving instructor Harold Harold Harold, was well liked by viewers. Elizabeth Montgomery and her partner, writer/producer William Asher, who played Endora's practical-joking Uncle Arthur, was also impressed by Lynde. Lynde appeared on Bewitched as the beloved character, the first being "The Joker is a Card." (air date October 14, 1965). In the series's seventh season, Arthur Built "The House That Uncle Arthur Built" (February 11, 1971). Paul Lynde, Elizabeth Montgomery, and William Asher became good friends and were often seen together off the set.

In the 1960s, Lynde appeared in four failed television pilots:

Out of the four series, only the Victorian detective spoof Sedgewick Hawk-Styles: Prince of Danger was initially picked up by ABC, but it was later cancelled at the last minute. ABC had reservations about Lynde, particularly because of his increasingly erratic offscreen behavior and persistent rumors of his homosexuality, according to William Asher in the A&E Biography episode on Lynde.

Lynde debuted on the fledgling game show The Hollywood Squares in 1966 and quickly became the country's most popular guest star. He eventually took up "center square" as the "center square," a step that promised that contestants would call him on at least once in virtually every round. Despite a urban legend to the contrary, Lynde remained in the center at the producers' discretion.

Lynde was the best at showcasing his comedic talents in his signature snickering delivery on The Hollywood Squares. Many gags were barely announced allusions to his homosexuality. Other jokes were based on a double entendre, an alleged fondness for deviant conduct, or a touchy subject matter for 1970s television.

Lynde gained acclaim and wealth from the series, earning him a total of 707 times. He became dissatisfied with being "boxed into" The Hollywood Squares, and he departed the show in 1979. In 1980, The Hollywood Squares experienced a decrease in Nielsen ratings, and Lynde was approached about returning to the program. He initially refused, but then learned he'd be co-starring with host Peter Marshall. In 1980, he returned to the series in the spring of 1980 and stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1981.

His most notable roles included:

Lynde's sardonic inflections brought a new dimension to such lines as the sly, drawn-out whine, "What's the deal for me?" says the narrator. Impressionists are still raving about his distinctive voice. "It was Paul who was inspired by Alice" although actress Alice Ghostley's appearances and demeanors are often based on Lynde's.

Lynde appeared in The Paul Lynde Show, a short-lived ABC sitcom, in 1972. In the aftermath of Bewitched's aborted ninth season, the show was a contractual fulfillment to ABC.

Paul Simms, an uptight advocate and father who was at odds with his liberal-minded son-in-law, was portrayed in Lynde. Martha (Elizabeth Allen), daughters Sally (Pamelyn Ferdin), Barbara (Jane Actman), Barbara (Jane Actman), Barbara's husband Howie (John Calvin), and Howie's parents (Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara) were among the family's children.

Critics characterized the show as a clone of All in the Family, television's then most popular primetime program, although most agreed the writing was top notch and the sexual connotations gave it an additional layer of spice. Lynde had been nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe for the performance. The Carol Burnett Show on CBS and the Top 20 on NBC were broadcast opposite the first half of the Top 30 hit The Carol Burnett Show on CBS and the Top 20 on NBC are the series's lowest-rated series to have been cancelled after a single season.

According to credible media reports, viewers loved Lynde but not The Paul Lynde Show and preferred another ABC show, Temperatures Rising, but not James Whitmore. For the 1973-1974 season, Unhappy himself, Whitmore, and ABC shifted Lynde to Temperatures Rising. Despite William Asher's (our producer of both shows who also resigned in protest against ABC's meddling), this move was made.

The New Temperatures Rising ratings were even lower than the previous season, in part, because Asher's replacements changed the show's tone to a much darker one than the previous season's. Happy Days, ABC's mid-season replacement, cancelled the show and its time slot.

ABC resuscitated the program with new cast members (most notably, Alice Ghostley, who replaced Sudie Bond in the role of Lynde's sister, Edwina). Asher, who admitted that Lynde's presence likely saved the series, was also convinced to return. After the series was eventually cancelled, seven new episodes were released for summer 1974 airings.

Lynde was a fixture on the Kenley Players summer stock theatre circuit, appearing in Don't Drink the Water (1969, 1978) and Stop, Thief, Stop! (1975). He appeared in nine Kenley Players productions, more than any other headliner. Paul Ferguson performed in the summer of 1980 in the United States and Canada, premiering three one-act performances of "California Suite," "Plaza Suite," and "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," 'Neil Simon's Suite" and "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," starring Beverly Sanders, friend, and bodyguard, Kristie Siverson and actor Robert Barresi.

Lynde's continuing success led to his being signed by ABC to host a number of specials from 1975 to 1979, including: "Longer and More."

Lynde appeared on various television shows Donny & Marie from 1976 to 1978, before he lost his guest appearance due to a tense, inebriated argument with police officers.

Lynde's performing jobs remained to be scarce, though it's unclear if or not this was related to his alcoholism, which made him impossible to deal with. He accepted a wider variety of occupations as demand for his services increased.

He appeared on WSPD-TV in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978, to promote both The Hollywood Squares and a summer stock show.

He appeared as Indian chief Nervous Elk in the 1979 film The Villain (released as Cactus Jack in the United Kingdom) alongside former Bye Birdie co-star Ann-Margret. This was his last film role.

The Beaux Arts Society, Inc. (founded in 1857) named Paul Lynde "King" of the Beaux Arts Ball, with Kitty Carlisle branded as "Queen" on November 1980. From 1980 to his untimely death, Paul Lynde was a Life Member of the Beaux Arts Society.

Lynde received an award for being named the year's funniest man of the year at the Sixth Annual American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). Lynde immediately handed over the award to host Jackie Gleason, quoting him as "the funniest guy ever." The unexpected gesture sparked Gleason.

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