Robert Klein
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
Robert Klein
Born Date: February 8, 1942
Born Place: The Bronx, New York
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, singer, actor
Brief Biography: Robert Klein is a pioneering American stand-up comedian, actor, and singer whose observational comedy and sharp satires directly influenced a generation of comics, including Jerry Seinfeld. You can explore his comedy albums on Spotify or watch his catalog of classic stand-up on HBO.
Early Life & Education:
Education: Originally planned to study medicine, graduating from Alfred University, but later shifted to the dramatic arts.
Yale Drama: Attended the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he was encouraged to develop his natural comedic talent into a one-man show.
Breakthrough in Comedy & Theater:
The Second City: In 1965, he successfully auditioned alongside Fred Willard for the famed Chicago improvisational troupe The Second City.
Broadway: Made his Broadway debut in 1966 in The Apple Tree. He later earned a 1979 Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.
Comedy Pioneer:
HBO History: In 1975, Klein made history by becoming the very first comedian to appear in a live, one-man concert special on Home Box Office (HBO).
Grammy Nods: His groundbreaking early comedy albums, A Child of the 50s (1973) and Mind Over Matter (1974), both earned Grammy Award nominations.
SNL: He served as one of the very first celebrity hosts during the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live in 1975.
Acting & Later Career:
Film & TV: Klein has built a massive film and television resume, appearing in movies like The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), One Fine Day (1996), Two Weeks Notice (2002), and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003). He has also held recurring TV roles in Sisters, Law & Order: SVU, and Will & Grace.
Documentary: His decades in the industry were chronicled in the 2017 STARZ documentary Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg, featuring interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher, and Jay Leno.
Born Date: February 8, 1942
Born Place: The Bronx, New York
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, singer, actor
Brief Biography: Robert Klein is a pioneering American stand-up comedian, actor, and singer whose observational comedy and sharp satires directly influenced a generation of comics, including Jerry Seinfeld. You can explore his comedy albums on Spotify or watch his catalog of classic stand-up on HBO.
Early Life & Education:
Education: Originally planned to study medicine, graduating from Alfred University, but later shifted to the dramatic arts.
Yale Drama: Attended the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he was encouraged to develop his natural comedic talent into a one-man show.
Breakthrough in Comedy & Theater:
The Second City: In 1965, he successfully auditioned alongside Fred Willard for the famed Chicago improvisational troupe The Second City.
Broadway: Made his Broadway debut in 1966 in The Apple Tree. He later earned a 1979 Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.
Comedy Pioneer:
HBO History: In 1975, Klein made history by becoming the very first comedian to appear in a live, one-man concert special on Home Box Office (HBO).
Grammy Nods: His groundbreaking early comedy albums, A Child of the 50s (1973) and Mind Over Matter (1974), both earned Grammy Award nominations.
SNL: He served as one of the very first celebrity hosts during the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live in 1975.
Acting & Later Career:
Film & TV: Klein has built a massive film and television resume, appearing in movies like The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), One Fine Day (1996), Two Weeks Notice (2002), and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003). He has also held recurring TV roles in Sisters, Law & Order: SVU, and Will & Grace.
Documentary: His decades in the industry were chronicled in the 2017 STARZ documentary Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg, featuring interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher, and Jay Leno.