Benny Rubin
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
Benjamin Rubin
Born Date: February 2, 1899
Born Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Died Date: July 15, 1986
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Benny Rubin was a versatile entertainer whose prolific career spanned over 50 years, transitioning from the heyday of vaudeville to the early eras of radio, film, and television.
Early Life and Vaudeville;
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood. He taught himself to tap dance on the street corners, which helped him land his first paying job in show business at age 14. During the 1920s, Rubin rose to fame on the vaudeville circuit, becoming a beloved—and sometimes controversial—headliner known for his comic Jewish monologues and repertoire of ethnic dialects.
Film and Radio Career:
In 1929, Rubin made the leap to Hollywood, making his feature film debut in The Hollywood Revue of 1929. Over the decades, he racked up more than 200 film and television appearances. He became a reliable character actor, often playing supporting roles in classic comedies and serving as a go-to actor for varied ethnic dialects. He is especially remembered for his close association with the Jack Benny Program, frequently appearing on both the radio and television versions of the show as a comic foil. Because he perfectly understood Benny's impeccable comedic timing, he was often cast in multiple roles ranging from Arab sheiks to German characters so the crew wouldn't have to re-shoot scenes.
Television and Later Years:
Rubin remained active well into the television era, making appearances on popular shows like I Love Lucy, The Three Stooges shorts (1950s), and Three's Company. In 1980, he published an autobiography titled Come Backstage with Me. Rubin continued working as an actor until his retirement in the late 1970s.
Born Date: February 2, 1899
Born Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Died Date: July 15, 1986
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Benny Rubin was a versatile entertainer whose prolific career spanned over 50 years, transitioning from the heyday of vaudeville to the early eras of radio, film, and television.
Early Life and Vaudeville;
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood. He taught himself to tap dance on the street corners, which helped him land his first paying job in show business at age 14. During the 1920s, Rubin rose to fame on the vaudeville circuit, becoming a beloved—and sometimes controversial—headliner known for his comic Jewish monologues and repertoire of ethnic dialects.
Film and Radio Career:
In 1929, Rubin made the leap to Hollywood, making his feature film debut in The Hollywood Revue of 1929. Over the decades, he racked up more than 200 film and television appearances. He became a reliable character actor, often playing supporting roles in classic comedies and serving as a go-to actor for varied ethnic dialects. He is especially remembered for his close association with the Jack Benny Program, frequently appearing on both the radio and television versions of the show as a comic foil. Because he perfectly understood Benny's impeccable comedic timing, he was often cast in multiple roles ranging from Arab sheiks to German characters so the crew wouldn't have to re-shoot scenes.
Television and Later Years:
Rubin remained active well into the television era, making appearances on popular shows like I Love Lucy, The Three Stooges shorts (1950s), and Three's Company. In 1980, he published an autobiography titled Come Backstage with Me. Rubin continued working as an actor until his retirement in the late 1970s.