Red Buttons

Birth Name:

Aaron Chwatt

Birth Place:

New York City, New York, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack, Writer

Won the Academy Award for one of his few dramatic roles, 1957's "Sayonara", featuring Marlon Brando
Started working as a comedian as a teenager and caught a break while working on the Borscht Belt when the Master of Ceremonies at the Irving Hotel fell ill and he begged for the chance to replace him
Best known for numerous guest appearances on television variety shows including his own short-lived series, "The Red Buttons Show" which premiered in 1952 and later "The Double Life of Henry Phyfe" in 1966
Made his Broadway debut in 1942, while continuing to perform in night clubs throughout New York City, before being drafted into the Air Force during WWII
Earned his nickname while working as a bellhop as a teenager, as his uniform had several giant buttons that matched his red hair
Formed a comedy duo with friend and future actor Robert Alda as a teenager

Fast Facts