Jan Murray Biography

Fast Facts

• Entertained in England with the USO in 1944, but his plans to visit his B-17 co-pilot brother were cut short when his brother was shot down on a mission
• Raised funds for Hebrew University by performing in Israel
• A regular performer at Catskill resorts, he did everything from stand-up comedy to emceeing to hosting game nights and campfire nights
• At 18, he was performing at the Melody Club in Union City, N․J․, which took him two hours to reach by subway and train
• Would go with his mother to 25-cent vaudeville shows until she got too sick to go with him, at which point he would go alone, then come back and recount everything that he'd seen
• Quote: "Being in a resort area, you would play to practically the same audience every night, only you'd do different things․"
• Quote: "Let's say I polished my timing on the borscht belt․"
• A Las Vegas marquee performer, he headlined the Flamingo Hotel the year it opened with his comedy act
• Emceed nine game shows during television's golden era, one of which was the popular "Treasure Hunt․"
• An avid golfer, he chaired the Comedians' Golf Classic for several years