George Gobel Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a Personal Award at the 1955 Peabody Awards
• Enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II
• When he got older, he sang sad cowboy ballads as Lonesome George, picking at his guitar along to lyrics about lost loves and evenings on the prairie
• Sang as Little George Gobel on the radio program "The National Barn Dance" when he was 11 years old
• Spent a full year touring in the play "The Odd Couple․"
• Known for delivering tall tales full of tangled digressions and references to his supposed wife, Spooky Old Alice
• A comic known as much for his distinctive sad eyes and flattop haircut as his underplayed, deadpan humor
• Had a prolific career working in night clubs, conventions and trade shows after his comedy show went off the air
• Made a special version of the Gibson L-5 archtop guitar that better fit his small stature, and several dozen of these guitars were produced in the 1950s and 1960s
• Resisted appearing on "Hollywood Squares" for a long time despite pressure from host Peter Marshall until actress Karen Valentine convinced him to give the game show a try