Thomas Richard Martin (January 30, 1922 – May 24, 2008) was an American comedian and director, best known for his role as the cohost of the sketch comedy program Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973.
Early in his career, Martin was a staff writer for Duffy's Tavern, a radio situation comedy. In 1952, Martin and Dan Rowan formed the comedy team Rowan and Martin, and played in nightclubs across the United States and overseas. They were a quick and easy match; their first comedy routine, in which Martin played a drunk heckling a Shakespearean performer, was a mainstay of their live act for years. The duo could frequently be seen as host-performers on NBC's Colgate Comedy Hour, alternating with Martin and Lewis and other more established names. In 1958 they starred in a feature film, Hal Kanter's comedy western Once Upon a Horse, which failed to catch on with moviegoers. In 1960, their contract with NBC was cancelled four years early by mutual consent.
1962 found Martin working solo, playing next-door neighbor to Lucille Ball in her comeback sitcom The Lucy Show, a role he played intermittently until 1964. The duo returned to the nightclub circuit until 1966, when they were tapped to host the summer-replacement series for The Dean Martin Show.
Early in his career, Martin was a staff writer for Duffy's Tavern, a radio situation comedy. In 1952, Martin and Dan Rowan formed the comedy team Rowan and Martin, and played in nightclubs across the United States and overseas. They were a quick and easy match; their first comedy routine, in which Martin played a drunk heckling a Shakespearean performer, was a mainstay of their live act for years. The duo could frequently be seen as host-performers on NBC's Colgate Comedy Hour, alternating with Martin and Lewis and other more established names. In 1958 they starred in a feature film, Hal Kanter's comedy western Once Upon a Horse, which failed to catch on with moviegoers. In 1960, their contract with NBC was cancelled four years early by mutual consent.
1962 found Martin working solo, playing next-door neighbor to Lucille Ball in her comeback sitcom The Lucy Show, a role he played intermittently until 1964. The duo returned to the nightclub circuit until 1966, when they were tapped to host the summer-replacement series for The Dean Martin Show.
Martin also established himself as an efficient comedy director. Starting on The Bob Newhart Show, he directed for over a dozen series. Martin later became the chief director of the 1980s sitcom Newhart.
He married Playboy playmate Dolly Read on August 22, 1971. They divorced in 1975, but remarried in 1978 and remained married until his death. Martin was formerly married to Peggy Connelly. He has two sons, Richard Martin and Cary Martin.
He married Playboy playmate Dolly Read on August 22, 1971. They divorced in 1975, but remarried in 1978 and remained married until his death. Martin was formerly married to Peggy Connelly. He has two sons, Richard Martin and Cary Martin.
Martin died on May 24, 2008 of breathing complications in Santa Monica, California. He lost the use of a lung as a teenager and suffered respiratory problems late in life.[1]
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