Jerry Colonna
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Born Name:
Gerardo Luigi Colonna
Born Date: September 17, 1904
Born Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Died Date: November 21, 1986
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Musician, actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, trombonist
Brief Biography: Jerry Colonna was known for his surreal humor, rapid-fire wit, and large handlebar mustache. He gained widespread fame as a zany sidekick to Bob Hope in radio, film, and USO tours during the 1940s and 1950s.
Early Life and Career:
He began his career as a skilled trombonist, working with big bands, including Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, and playing for the CBS house orchestra in the 1930s.
The "Professor": While in the CBS orchestra, his comedic antics led to him developing the persona of a "professor" or "madman" of comedy.
Comedic Style and Fame:
Sidekick to Bob Hope: Colonna was a regular on The Bob Hope Show on radio and appeared in four of the "Road to..." movies with Hope and Bing Crosby.
Signature Look & Voice: Known for his large, twirled moustache, wide-eyed facial expressions, and a comical, high-pitched vocal style that often featured long, shouted notes.
Catchphrases: He was famous for asking, "Who's Yehudi?" (referring to violinist Yehudi Menuhin) and using the greeting, "Greetings, Gate!".
USO Tours: During World War II, he was a massive favorite of soldiers on USO tours with Bob Hope. Film and Disney Work
Disney Roles: Colonna provided the voice of the March Hare in Disney's Alice in Wonderland (1951) and narrated Casey at the Bat in Make Mine Music.
Other Roles: He appeared in over 30 films and TV shows, often playing eccentric or manic characters, such as in It's in the Bag (1945) and Road to Rio (1947).
Born Date: September 17, 1904
Born Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Died Date: November 21, 1986
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Musician, actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, trombonist
Brief Biography: Jerry Colonna was known for his surreal humor, rapid-fire wit, and large handlebar mustache. He gained widespread fame as a zany sidekick to Bob Hope in radio, film, and USO tours during the 1940s and 1950s.
Early Life and Career:
He began his career as a skilled trombonist, working with big bands, including Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, and playing for the CBS house orchestra in the 1930s.
The "Professor": While in the CBS orchestra, his comedic antics led to him developing the persona of a "professor" or "madman" of comedy.
Comedic Style and Fame:
Sidekick to Bob Hope: Colonna was a regular on The Bob Hope Show on radio and appeared in four of the "Road to..." movies with Hope and Bing Crosby.
Signature Look & Voice: Known for his large, twirled moustache, wide-eyed facial expressions, and a comical, high-pitched vocal style that often featured long, shouted notes.
Catchphrases: He was famous for asking, "Who's Yehudi?" (referring to violinist Yehudi Menuhin) and using the greeting, "Greetings, Gate!".
USO Tours: During World War II, he was a massive favorite of soldiers on USO tours with Bob Hope. Film and Disney Work
Disney Roles: Colonna provided the voice of the March Hare in Disney's Alice in Wonderland (1951) and narrated Casey at the Bat in Make Mine Music.
Other Roles: He appeared in over 30 films and TV shows, often playing eccentric or manic characters, such as in It's in the Bag (1945) and Road to Rio (1947).