How Alan King, the King of Comedy, Died of Lung Cancer

Alan King was a legendary comedian and actor who made millions of people laugh with his witty and angry rants about everyday life. He was also a successful film producer and a philanthropist who supported many causes. He died on May 9, 2004, at the age of 76, from lung cancer. This article will explore his life, career, and death in detail.

Early Life and Career

Alan King was born as Irwin Alan Kniberg on December 26, 1927, in New York City, to Russian Jewish immigrants. He had one older sister, Anita. He grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and later in Brooklyn, where he used humor to survive the tough neighborhoods. He performed impersonations on street corners for pennies and sang on the radio when he was 14. He dropped out of high school at 15 to pursue a career in comedy and worked in Canada in a burlesque house. He also fought as a professional boxer, winning 20 straight bouts, but quit after his nose was broken.

He changed his name to Alan King, after the boxer who beat him, and worked as a doorman at a nightclub while performing comedy. He started with one-liner jokes and material about mothers-in-law and Jews, but later switched to a more conversational style that used everyday life for humor. He was inspired by Danny Thomas, who he saw talking to his audience instead of at them. He also moved to the suburbs of Forest Hills, Queens, with his wife Jeanette, whom he married in 1947, and their three children. He found his new material in the suburban life, which resonated with many Americans who were moving to the suburbs in the 1950s.

He became a popular comedian in the Catskill circuit, known as the Borscht Belt, and appeared on various television shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Garry Moore Show, and The Tonight Show. He also toured with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra and opened for music stars like Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Billy Eckstine, Patti Page, and Nat King Cole. He even performed for Queen Elizabeth in London and made her laugh with his witty remark.

Film and Television Roles

Alan King also ventured into film and television acting, playing supporting roles in more than 20 films and several TV shows. He was dissatisfied with the stereotypical roles he was offered in the 1950s, such as sergeants from Brooklyn named Kowalski, and sought more diverse and challenging roles. He appeared in films such as Bye Bye Braverman, I, the Jury, The Anderson Tapes, Lovesick, Bonfire of the Vanities, Casino, and Rush Hour 2. He also produced several films, such as Memories of Me, Wolfen, Cattle Annie and Little Britches, and the 1997 TV series The College of Comedy With Alan King.

He was known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants, which he used to criticize various aspects of society, politics, culture, and human nature. He was also a serious actor who could portray complex and nuanced characters. He was praised for his performances by critics and audiences alike. He received several awards and honors, such as the Emmy Award, the American Comedy Award, the Golden Globe Award, and the Tony Award.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Alan King was also a generous and compassionate man who supported many philanthropic causes. He was the abbot of the New York Friars Club, and hosted its famous roasts, which were televised on Comedy Central. He was also involved in various Jewish and Israeli organizations, such as the United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish National Fund, and the American Jewish Congress. He donated millions of dollars to various charities, such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

He was also a mentor and a friend to many younger comedians, such as Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, and Jon Stewart. He influenced and inspired generations of comedians with his style and humor. He was regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time and a king of comedy.

Cause of Death

Alan King was a heavy smoker of cigars, which he often used as a prop in his routines. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He died on May 9, 2004, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, surrounded by his family. He was 76 years old. He is survived by his wife Jeanette, his three children, Robert, Andrew, and Elaine, and his seven grandchildren.

He was mourned by his fans, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a brilliant and hilarious comedian, a talented and versatile actor, a generous and kind philanthropist, and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens.

Alan King’s cause of death was lung cancer, but his legacy lives on in his comedy, films, and charity work. He was a true king of comedy and a legend of American entertainment.

Doms Desk

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