Bert Lahr was one of the most beloved actors and comedians of his time. He is best remembered for his role as the Cowardly Lion, as well as his counterpart Kansas farmworker “Zeke”, in the MGM adaptation of The Wizard of Oz (1939) . He was also a star of Broadway musicals, such as Hold Everything (1928), DuBarry Was a Lady (1939), and The Beauty Part (1962). He had a distinctive style of humor, combining slapstick, wordplay, and improvisation. He was admired by his peers and audiences alike for his energy, charisma, and versatility.
Early Life and Career
Bert Lahr was born as Irving Lahrheim on August 13, 1895, in New York City. He was the son of German-Jewish immigrants who worked as upholsterers . He attended public school until he dropped out at age 15 to pursue a career in show business. He started performing in minor parts on vaudeville stages and soon became a headliner with his own act. He developed his trademark routines, such as “The Song of the Woodman” and “The Nervous Wreck” .
He made his Broadway debut in 1927 in Harry Delmar’s Revels and achieved his first major success in 1928 in Hold Everything, a musical comedy that showcased his talents as a singer, dancer, and boxer . He continued to star in various Broadway shows throughout the 1930s, often collaborating with famous composers and lyricists such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Ira Gershwin. He also appeared in some movies, such as Flying High (1931) and Merry-Go-Round of 1938 (1937), but they did not capture his stage presence or personality .
The Wizard of Oz and Beyond
In 1939, Lahr landed the role that would make him immortal: the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. He was cast by MGM producer Mervyn LeRoy, who had seen him perform on Broadway and was impressed by his comic timing and expressive face. Lahr had to endure a heavy costume made of real lion skins and a prosthetic nose and chin that prevented him from eating solid food during filming . He also had to improvise many of his lines and actions, as the script was constantly being revised . Despite these difficulties, he delivered a memorable performance that stole the show. His rendition of “If I Were King of the Forest” became one of the most iconic songs in movie history .
The Wizard of Oz was not an immediate hit at the box office, but it gained popularity over time through re-releases and television broadcasts. It is now considered one of the greatest films ever made and has been preserved by the Library of Congress . Lahr’s role as the Cowardly Lion has been praised by critics and fans alike as one of the best examples of comic acting on screen. He received a special Tony Award in 1960 for his contribution to American musical comedy .
Lahr did not achieve much success in Hollywood after The Wizard of Oz. He once joked, “How many lion parts are there in pictures?” . He returned to Broadway in 1939 in DuBarry Was a Lady, co-starring with Ethel Merman. He also appeared on radio and television shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Colgate Comedy Hour, and The Ford Show. He continued to work on stage until his death, earning acclaim for his roles in Hotel Paradiso (1957), Waiting for Godot (1956), and The Beauty Part (1962) .
Death and Legacy
Lahr died on December 4, 1967, at the age of 72. He was filming The Night They Raided Minsky’s, a musical comedy about burlesque. He had been hospitalized on November 21 for what was reported as a back ailment . The official cause of death was listed as pneumonia, but it was later revealed that he had suffered from cancer for some time . He was buried at Union Field Cemetery in Ridgewood, New York .
Lahr left behind a rich legacy of laughter and entertainment. He influenced many comedians who came after him, such as Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and Billy Crystal . His son John Lahr wrote a biography of him titled Notes on a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr, which was published in 1969 . His daughter Jane Lahr edited a collection of his writings and photographs titled The Lahr Touch, which was published in 1976 . His grandson Jason Lahr is a painter and professor of art .
Bert Lahr was a unique and gifted performer who brought joy and wonder to millions of people. He will always be remembered as the lovable and courageous Cowardly Lion of The Wizard of Oz. As he sang in the movie, “What makes a king out of a slave? Courage!”
