Phil Silvers Biography

Fast Facts

• At age 11, became a "breakdown singer" at a Brooklyn movie house, entertaining the audience whenever the projector failed
• Started in vaudeville at age 13
• Made his Broadway debut in 1938 in a Buddy Ebsen musical, "Yokel Boy
• " One of his first screen tests was for the role of an English vicar in the 1940 production of Pride and Prejudice, starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
• He didn't get the part
• Introduced Lana Turner to legendary bandleader---and his pal---Artie Shaw
• When the two eloped, it was left to Silvers to break the news to Shaw's girlfriend, Betty Grable
• Initially dismissed the concept of The Phil Silvers Show (aka You'll Never Get Rich) as "too Abbott and Costello
• " Won the Best Comedian Emmy Award in 1956
• In 1981, guest starred on Happy Days opposite his daughter Cathy, who played Joanie's pal Jenny Piccalo