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COMEDIANS REMEMBER HENNY*
by Ron Orendi
As I sat in the audience, I looked around. There
were older people, thirty-somethings, and people in their 20's
all laughing and enjoying the man on stage.
The comic was a master at his craft. He conducted
his act with violin and bow in hand.
He played the audience like a classical piece of
music. Henny Youngman had yet another audience eating out of the
palm of his hand.
Following the show, I had the opportunity to talk with Henny Youngman. There I was a young comic, with not much road experience, chatting with one of the icons in the field of laughter.
Many of the big names in the business don't want
to be bothered with "budding" talent picking their brains
for information and comedic wisdom.
But not Henny, he took his time and patiently offered
his philosophy on the craft as well as personal experiences and
encouraging advice. At one point, I asked, "With the club
pay so low, how long did it take you to earn a solid income?"
The "King of One Liners" avoided the natural
tendency to fire a funny line from his act. Instead, he paused,
took a breath and said, "Ya know kid, I lived off my wife
for 20 years, before I made any real money."
"You keep at it. Be patient. It'll happen."
This maestro of comedy spent the best part of an
hour talking to several Pittsburgh area comics. He wasn't sarcastic.
He wasn't condescending. No, true to his professionalism, Henny
Youngman treated all of us as though we were his comedy children
by giving us fatherly advice.
That's the Henny Youngman I got to meet. That's the
Henny Youngman I knew. When I heard of his death, I was extremely
saddened. I had always heard that angels played harps. Well, I
guess Henny Youngman will change that and play his violin...but
not until he looks at the Father and says, "Take my life,
please!"
COMEDIANS REMEMBER HENNY*