Norman Abbott

Norman Abbott
Norman Abbott
Born	July 11, 1922; New York City
Died	July 9, 2016 (aged 93); Valencia, California
Occupation	Vaudevillian, Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse(s)	Dominique Abbott
Children	2 daughters; 2 sons; 3 stepsons

Norman Abbott (July 11, 1922 – July 9, 2016) was an American vaudevillian, actor, producer and television director.

Abbott was born in New York City,[1] where his uncle, comedian Bud Abbott, and his mother raised him.[2] His early experience in entertainment was as a vaudeville performer, including summers working the 'borscht circuit" in resorts in the Catskill Mountains of New York.[3]

During World War II, Abbott served as a member of the original United States Navy SEALs team.[2]

He directed episodes of Welcome Back, Kotter, Get Smart, The Munsters, Leave It To Beaver, Sanford and Son, and The Jack Benny Program.

In the 1940s, he and Pat Costello (brother of Lou Costello) formed a lesser-known Abbott and Costello comedy duo. Their act reversed roles from the original, with Norman Abbott being the comedian and Pat Costello being the straight man. They also worked as stand-ins for the better-known act during rehearsals for the film Who Done It? (1942).[3]

Abbott's obituary in The Hollywood Reporter described him as "the brainchild behind the Broadway sensation Sugar Babies, the comeback vehicle for Mickey Rooney in the late 1970s".[4] He conceived the idea of a Broadway musical based on burlesque after inheriting his uncle's "treasure trove of burlesque material, including written gags, props, music and posters".[4] Despite his having originated the concept, Abbott was fired as director of the show after two weeks' rehearsals.[4]

Abbott died in Valencia, California, on July 9, 2016[1] at the age of 93.[2] He was survived by his wife, four children, a sister, three stepsons, and four grandchildren.[4]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1942	Rio Rita	Hotel Laundry Boy	Uncredited
1942	Grand Central Murder	Whistling Messenger	Uncredited
1942	The Affairs of Martha	Newsboy	Uncredited
1942	Who Done It?	Organist	Uncredited
1942	Whistling in Dixie	Attendant	Uncredited
1943	Keep 'Em Slugging	Ape
1950	Katie Did It	Chick	Uncredited
1953	Walking My Baby Back Home	Doc

gollark: Somewhat energetic lights, but lights nevertheless.

gollark: Lasers are lights.

gollark: Or not. It let umwn past.

gollark: Traffic lights appear to be working. laggily.

gollark: umwn: this is a public billboard!

References

Lentz, Harris III (February 2017). "Norman Abbott, 93". Classic Images. p. 49.
Saperstein, Pat (July 12, 2016). "Norman Abbott, Veteran Sitcom Director, Dies at 93". Variety. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
Foster, Ernest (August 18, 1942). "Hollywood Roundup". Republican-Northwestern. Illinois, Belvidere. United Press. p. 4. Retrieved February 28, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
Barnes, Mike (July 13, 2016). "Norman Abbott, TV Director and Brainchild Behind Broadway's 'Sugar Babies,' Dies at 93". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

External links

Norman Abbott on IMDb

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[ci-1] Lentz, Harris III (February 2017). "Norman Abbott, 93". Classic Images. p. 49.

[v-2] Saperstein, Pat (July 12, 2016). "Norman Abbott, Veteran Sitcom Director, Dies at 93". Variety. Retrieved 2016-07-30.

[rn-3] Foster, Ernest (August 18, 1942). "Hollywood Roundup". Republican-Northwestern. Illinois, Belvidere. United Press. p. 4. Retrieved February 28, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.

[hr-4] Barnes, Mike (July 13, 2016). "Norman Abbott, TV Director and Brainchild Behind Broadway's 'Sugar Babies,' Dies at 93". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 March 2017.