Comedian David Brenner Dies At 78

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

Posted on March 15, 2014 at 5:47 PM

By LYNN ELBER / AP Television Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A spokesman for the family of comedian David Brenner says the "Tonight Show" favorite has died. He was 78.

Brenner died Saturday afternoon at his home in New York City, said Jeff Abraham, who was Brenner's publicist.

The gangly, toothy Brenner made more than 150 appearances as a guest and substitute host on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," starting in the 1970s.

His "Tonight" exposure turned the former documentary filmmaker into a hot comedian. Brenner was a regular on other TV talk shows and game shows and starred in four HBO comedy specials. He also briefly hosted his own syndicated talk show in 1987.

Read more: http://www.wwltv.com/news/Comedian-David-Brenner-dies-at-78-250478811.html

[shenmue]

1. No! :(

Rest in peace.

[Demit]

2. Good grief I had no idea he was 78.

Philly boy. Very funny. RIP, David Brenner.

[shenmue]

3. I didn't know either

I had no idea he was sick. May he rest in peace.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Wow.

Forgot all about him. Hadn't seen him in a long time after being so ubiquitous in the '70s & '80s.

So sorry to see this! R.I.P.

[Seeking Serenity]

5. He was so funny back in his day

I used to love when he'd come on Johnny Carson.

RIP, funny man.

[jaysunb]

6. I had no idea he was this old....

RIP.

[calimary]

7. Seventy-Eight?!

Holy Cow! I had no idea he was that old. Enjoyed his work quite a bit. Funny! I just laughed out loud watching this clip - about the guy picking his nose with a broom handle!

Sleep with a smile, David. You sure gave us a bunch of 'em.

[mimi85]

14. I spit some tea out on that one too!

And hey, 78 isn't THAT old is it? Time goes WAY too fucking fast. What a funny, funny man. I think having the ability to make one laugh is a true gift. Thanks, David.

[Boomerproud]

8. R.I.P Mr. Brenner

I'm really showing my age but I've always thought the '70's was the golden age of comedy-probably just because the stand-ups were speaking about my reality.

[Beaverhausen]

9. Always loved him

Saw him live in Philly on July 4th way back in the 1970s

Thanks for all the laughs!

[GoCubsGo]

10. Awwww, no!

I always liked him. Shoot.

[OnyxCollie]

11. (sigh)

[Tx4obama]

12. R.I.P.

[Bigredhunk]

13. The Radio Station At Which I Worked In College

Carried his syndicated talk show. Every afternoon for a couple hours, he was part of our programming. I had no idea who he was at the time. Enjoyed the show. It was so much better than having one of the rw shit shows on, as so many radio stations did/do.

[GReedDiamond]

15. KnR, and tweeted...

...RIP David Brenner...his 1st Tonight Show appearance really builds, and he literally "kills" at the end!

[librechik]

16. great comedian, and wit! RIP, David n/t

[red dog 1]

19. Your little video "loop" is hilarious!

Thanks for the laughs.

[jcboon]

17. RIP

One of the funniest people ever. I loved him.

[tabasco]

18. Seemed like a good guy.

I remember him very well and he was very funny.

[red dog 1]

20. RIP David, and thanks for the many laughs

He was my favorite stand-in for Johnny Carson.

Richard Lewis called him a mentor who even loaned him money to quit his day job in order to pursue a career in comedy.

He will be missed.

[Reter]

21. I always thought he looked a lot like Henry Winkler

RIP.

[mackerel]

22. He had great hands. RIP

[Orsino]

23. I don't know that he was brilliant, but he was reliably funny.

Maybe no one in the business could punch a clock like he could and did. That's something special.