George Gobel

Birth Name:

George Leslie Gobel

Birth Place:

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack

Received a Personal Award at the 1955 Peabody Awards
Sang as Little George Gobel on the radio program "The National Barn Dance" when he was 11 years old
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
Known for delivering tall tales full of tangled digressions and references to his supposed wife, Spooky Old Alice
Spent a full year touring in the play "The Odd Couple․"
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

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