Jack Benny Biography

Fast Facts

• Dropped out of high school to pursue a career playing the violin, an instrument that became a prop in his act
• A far better violinist than he made himself out to be, he owned a real Stradivarius (made in 1724) that he often played in charity events
• Cheapness was another part of the Benny persona, but he was said to be one of Hollywood's biggest tippers
• Hosted the Academy Awards in 1944 and 1947
• Made provisions in his will for his widow, Mary Livingstone, to receive a red rose every day for as long as she lived
• Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame posthumously in 1988
• The California town of Rancho Cucamonga, made famous by Benny in his radio and TV skits, erected a seven-foot bronze memorial statue of him in 1993
• When the price of a U
• S
• postage stamp was raised to 39 cents, a campaign began to feature Benny on a stamp since the comedian always claimed to be 39 years old throughout his career
• Unfortunately, the campaign was unsuccessful