Red Buttons
Although Red Buttons is best known as a stand-up comic, he is also a successful songwriter, an Academy Award-winning actor (and has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards) and an accomplished singer. Born Aaron Chwatt on February 5, 1919 (Aquarius) in New York City's Lower East Side, stood at a height of 5' 6" (1.68 m). Buttons (who got his name from a uniform he wore while working as a singing bellhop), also known as Cpl. Red Buttons, started his show-business career singing on street corners as a child. At 16 he got a job as part of a comedy act playing the famed Catskills resort area in upstate New York (his partner was future actor Robert Alda). Buttons worked the burlesque circuit as a comic and even landed a role in a Broadway play, "Vicki", in 1942. He soon joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and in 1943 was picked for a role in Moss Hart's service play "Winged Victory" on Broadway, and soon afterwards journeyed to Hollywood to make the film version. After his discharge from the service he returned to Broadway, both in plays and as a comic with several big-band orchestras. He was successful enough that he got his own TV series, The Red Buttons Show (1952), on CBS. It lasted three years and won Buttons an Emmy for Best Comedian. He worked steadily for the next several years, and in 1957 got his big film break in the drama Sayonara (1957) with Marlon Brando, in which he played an American soldier stationed in Japan who struggled against the societal and racist pressures of both American and Japanese cultures because of his love for a Japanese woman. His performance garnered him an Academy Award, and more film roles followed. He played a paratrooper in The Longest Day (1962), was nominated for a Golden Globe for Harlow (1965) and again for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969). He had a part in the TV series The Double Life of Henry Phyfe (1966) and has done pretty much every kind of TV show there is, from variety to comedy to soap operas. He gained further renown in the 1970s for his appearances on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" where he performed his "Never Got a Dinner" act to great acclaim. He has played Las Vegas for years, has a star on Hollywood Boulevard (corner of Hollywood and Vine) and has appeared in numerous telethons and charitable events, for which he has been honored by such organizations as the Friars Club and the City of Hope Hospital. He died July 13, 2006 at the age of 87 in Century City, California, USA from vascular disease.
The Poseidon Adventure
as James MartinWhen their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.
Movie page
Pete's Dragon
as HoagyPete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend a lovable,...
Movie page
Hatari!
as PocketsA female wildlife photographer arrives on an East African reservation where a group of men trap...
Movie page
It Could Happen to You
as Walter ZakutoCharlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip...
Movie page
The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and...
Movie page
One, Two, Three
as MP Sergeant (uncredited)C.R. MacNamara is a managing director for Coca Cola in West Berlin during the Cold War, just...
Movie page
The Story of Us
as Arnie JordanBen and Katie Jordan are a married couple who go through hard times in fifteen years of marriage.
Movie page
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
as SailorIn the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance...
Movie page
The Ambulance
as Elias ZacharaiJosh meets a young woman who shortly afterwards collapses and is rushed to hospital in an...
Movie page
Sayonara
as Joe KellyAir Force Major Lloyd Gruver (Marlon Brando) is reassigned to a Japanese air base, and is...
Movie page
When Time Ran Out...
as Francis FendlyAn active volcano threatens a south Pacific island resort and its guests as a power struggle...
Movie page
18 Again!
as Charlie18 Again! is a 1988 comedy film starring George Burns and Charlie Schlatter. The plot involves a...
Movie page
Stagecoach
as PeacockA group of unlikely travelling companions find themselves on the same stagecoach to Cheyenne....
Movie page
Harlow
as Arthur LandauHollywood drama loosely based on the life of film actress Jean Harlow, with Carroll Baker in the...
Movie page
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
as Milton (voice)Winterbolt is trying to make the North Pole his evil wonderland, and it is up to Frosty the...
Movie page
Gay Purr-ee
as Robespierre (voice)Mewsette is a starry-eyed cat who grows weary of life on a French farm and heads for the...
Movie page
Movie Movie
as Peanuts / Jinks MurphyThree movie genres of the 1930s, boxing films, WWI aviation dramas, and backstage Broadway...
Movie page
Night of 100 Stars II
as SelfThis special is the second "Night of 100 Stars" to benefit The Actors Fund of America. Edited...
Movie page
Viva Knievel!
as Ben AndrewsThe legendary stuntman plans his most incredible stunt yet while battling the mob in this...
Movie page
Five Weeks in a Balloon
as Donald O'ShayProfessor Fergusson plans to make aviation history by making his way across Africa by balloon....
Movie page
C.H.O.M.P.S.
as BrackenA young man invents a robot dog that has super strength, x-ray vision and can detect crimes...
Movie page
The Muppets Go Hollywood
as SelfKermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the...
Movie page
Gable and Lombard
as Ivan CooperA biography about the love affair between 1930s Hollywood superstars Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.
Movie page
Joys
as SelfOver fifty of the greatest living comedians are called to a party at Bob Hope's house, where...
Movie page
Power
as Solly WeissLoosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa, this traces the rise of Tommy Vanda (Joe Don Baker)...
Movie page
Telethon
as Marty RandThe behind-the-scenes intrigues — including, possibly, a murder — of an all-star fundraising...
Movie page
Imitation General
as Cpl. Chan DerbyAn officer poses as a general after the death of his commanding officer and inspires his troops...
Movie page
Leave 'Em Laughing
as Roland GreenReal-life clown Jack Thum, along with his devoted wife, Shirlee, cared for dozens of homeless...
Movie page
Side Show
as Harry HubbellA teenage boy who runs off to join the circus as a side show puppeteer stumbles onto the dark...
Movie page
Your Cheatin' Heart
as Shorty YoungerThe story of the country and western singer Hank Williams.
Movie page
A Ticklish Affair
as Flight Officer Simon 'Uncle Cy' ShelleyA young widow Amy Martin with three young boys is investigated by the Navy after one of her...
Movie page
Footlight Varieties
as HimselfA compilation of scenes and acts from various comedy and musical shorts over the years.
Movie page
Louis Armstrong - Chicago Style
as uncreditedThe story of how jazz great Louis Armstrong got his start playing in Chicago clubs, how he was...
Movie page
Winged Victory
as Whitey / Andrews SisterPinky Scariano, Allan Ross, and Frankie Davis all join the Army Air Forces with hopes of...
Movie page
The Big Circus
as Randy ShermanA circus owner tries to keep his financially troubled circus on the road, despite the efforts of...
Movie page
Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years
as SelfThe first half century of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation from its beginnings under...
Movie page
The Users
as Warren AmbroseA beautiful girl from a small town with dreams of making it in Hollywood marries an actor whose...
Movie page
Reunion at Fairborough
as Jiggs QuealyWorld War II vets travel to England for a reunion at their old base. Stars Judi Trott, Barry...
Movie page
Darryl F. Zanuck: 20th Century Filmmaker
as SelfA biography of Darryl F. Zanuck, mogul and the power behind 20th Century Fox throughout the...
Movie page
Who Killed Mary Whats'ername?
as Mickey IsadoreA prostitute is murdered on the streets of a tough, low-income neighborhood. A diabetic retired...
Movie page
George M!
as Sam H. HarrisBased on the semi-hit Broadway musical of 1968 starring Joel Grey, this TV version has been...
Movie page
Goodnight, We Love You
as HimselfGOODNIGHT, WE LOVE YOU is a film that chronicles the final stand-up comedy performance of a true...
Movie page
Up from the Beach
as PFC Harry DevineAfter the D-Day landings in June 1944, a US squadron liberates a small village in Normandy from...
Movie page
A Marriage of Strangers
as JerryJerry and Louise are two shy types who meet and wed through a lonely hearts club. They soon...
Movie page
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as SelfThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight...
TV Show page
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - HostThe Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...
TV Show page
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-HostThe Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...
TV Show page
The Love Boat
as Cyrus FosterPassengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...
TV Show page
The Love Boat
as Buddy RedmondPassengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...
TV Show page
Love, American Style
as NormanAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in...
TV Show page
The Cosby Show
as uncreditedThe Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for...
TV Show page
What's My Line?
as Self - Mystery GuestFour panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while...
TV Show page
Little House on the Prairie
as uncreditedLittle House on the Prairie is an American Western drama television series, starring Michael...
TV Show page
The Ed Sullivan Show
as SelfThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...
TV Show page
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self - GuestThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...
TV Show page
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self - ComedianThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...
TV Show page
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self - SingerThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...
TV Show page
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self - Comedian / SingerThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...
TV Show page
227
as uncreditedA housewife sits on the stoop of her apartment building in a black neighborhood of Washington,...
TV Show page
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
as SelfThe Dinah Shore Chevy Show is an American variety series hosted by Dinah Shore, and broadcast on...
TV Show page
Kraft Music Hall
as SelfKraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United...
TV Show page
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
as SelfThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts is a NBC television special show hosted by entertainer Dean...
TV Show page
Early Edition
as uncreditedGary Hobson thinks he may even be losing his mind when tomorrow's newspaper mysteriously arrives...
TV Show page
The Hollywood Palace
as Self - ComedianThe Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly...
TV Show page
The Hollywood Palace
as Self - Singer / Sketch ActorThe Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly...
TV Show page
Saints and Sinners
as Joe RoganyanSaints and Sinners is an American drama series that aired on NBC during the 1962-63 television...
TV Show page
Studio One
as St. EmergencyAn American radio–television anthology series, created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher...
TV Show page
The United States Steel Hour
as uncreditedThe United States Steel Hour is an anthology series which brought hour-long dramas to television...
TV Show page
The Dean Martin Show
as uncreditedThe Dean Martin Show, also known as The Dean Martin Variety Show, is a TV variety-comedy series...
TV Show page
Great Performances
as SelfThe best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse...
TV Show page
Startime
as uncreditedStartime is an anthology show of drama, comedy, and variety, and was one of the first American...
TV Show page
The Eleventh Hour
as uncreditedThe Eleventh Hour is an American medical drama about psychiatry starring Wendell Corey, Jack...
TV Show page
ER
as RubyER explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by...
TV Show page
Alice in Wonderland
as The White RabbitSometimes she's too big. Or much too small. Sometimes things are backwards. And there's always...
TV Show page
It's Garry Shandling's Show
as uncreditedIt's Garry Shandling's Show is an American sitcom which was initially broadcast on Showtime from...
TV Show page
Ben Casey
as uncreditedBen Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was...
TV Show page
The Oscars
as SelfAn annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The...
TV Show page
Vega$
as uncreditedVega$ is an American detective television drama series that aired on ABC between 1978 and 1981....
TV Show page
Knots Landing
as uncreditedThe domestic adventures, misdeeds and everyday interactions of five families living on a...
TV Show page
The Danny Thomas Hour
as uncreditedThe Danny Thomas Hour is an American anthology television series that was broadcast on NBC...
TV Show page
Family Law
as uncreditedFamily attorney and mom Lynn Holt has had to scramble to keep her family and her law firm...
TV Show page
Presidio Med
as ChickPresidio Med is an American medical drama that aired on CBS from September 2002, to January...
TV Show page
Aloha Paradise
as uncreditedAloha Paradise is an American comedy series that aired on ABC on Wednesday night from February...
TV Show page
Wonder Woman
as Ashley NormanWith the strength of Hercules, the wisdom of Athena, the speed of Mercury and the beauty of...
TV Show page
Cosby
as uncreditedCosby is an American situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996...
TV Show page
General Electric Theater
as Lieutenant George PooleGeneral Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was...
TV Show page
General Electric Theater
as Tippy-TopGeneral Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was...
TV Show page
Password
as uncreditedPassword is an American television game show which was created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman...
TV Show page
Suspense
as uncreditedSuspense is an American television anthology series that ran on CBS Television from 1949 to...
TV Show page
The Jackie Gleason Show
as uncreditedThe prodigiously talented Gleason became a TV icon after he joined CBS from DuMont, where his...
TV Show page
The Dream Merchants
as Bruce BensonThis star-laden adaptation of Harold Robbins' best-selling 1949 novel about the birth of the...
TV Show page
Street Time
as uncreditedFollows a fair parole officer and his parolee who wants to go straight but his former business...
TV Show page
Roseanne
as uncreditedA working-class family struggles to get by on a limited income in the fictional town of Lanford,...
TV Show page
Philly
as uncreditedPhilly is an American television series created by Steven Bochco that focused on criminal...
TV Show page
Pink Lady
as Red ButtonsPink Lady is an American variety show that aired for five weeks on NBC in 1980, starring the...
TV Show page
Pink Lady
as Police SergeantPink Lady is an American variety show that aired for five weeks on NBC in 1980, starring the...
TV Show page
Frontier Circus
as uncreditedFrontier Circus is an American Western television series about a traveling circus roaming the...
TV Show page