Dick Martin Biography

Fast Facts

• Once hosted a variety show with Dan Rowan at the London Palladium that was staged for Queen Elizabeth II in 1972
• Worked as a writer for the "Duffy's Tavern" radio show and as a bartender before he met Dan Rowan in 1952 and began performing with him in nightclubs
• He and Dan Rowan got the opportunity to debut "Laugh-In" on NBC after they successfully hosted "The Dean Martin Summer Show" in 1966
• Quote: "People are basically irreverent․ They want to see sacred cows kicked over․ You can't have Harry Belafonte on your show and not have him sing a song, but we did; we had him climbing out of a bathtub, just because it looked irreverent and silly․"
• Best known as a comedian who co-hosted and co-produced "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" alongside Dan Rowan
• He and Dan Rowan made two films together, "Once Upon a Horse" in 1958 and "The Maltese Bippy" in 1969, as well as a comedy album in 1960 called "Rowan and Martin at Work․"
• Became a director during his later career, working on shows like "The Bob Newhart Show," "Archie Bunker's Place," and "Family Ties․"
• Made a cameo appearance in the film "Air Bud 2: Golden Receiver" in 1998, which was directed by his son, Richard Martin
• Was responsible for coining a number of popular catchphrases on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," including "Sock it to me!" and "You bet your sweet bippy․"