RIP Jackie Mason

[George K]

Jackie Mason Dies: Rabbi Who Later Rose To Fame As A Comedian, Actor & Author Was 93

Jackie Mason, the rabbi who later cultivated careers as a comedian, actor and author, died in a Manhattan hospital on Saturday, according to the New York Times. He was 93.

Mason’s longtime friend, attorney Raoul Felder, confirmed his passing to the Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 9, 1931. While the son of Belarusian immigrants would ultimately earn fame and accolades for his work on stage, he initially looked to pursue the path of a rabbi, at the behest of his family. He was ordained after completing his rabbinical studies at Yeshiva University, working as a rabbi in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He decided to pursue a career as a writer and performer following the death of his father in 1959.

Mason began his career in comedy as a regular performer in the Catskills. He later became a fixture on such popular variety shows as The Ed Sullivan Show, releasing comedy albums including I Am the Greatest Comedian in the World, Only Nobody Knows It Yet! and I Want to Leave You With the Words of a Great Comedian.

Link to video

[jon-nyc]

That’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. I would have guessed he was dead already. I just think of him as part of a generation already gone. RIP Mr Mason.

However I have to comment about this…

He was 93.

Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 9, 1931.

[Horace]

@george-k said in RIP Jackie Mason:

Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

From the large communities of Dutch or German settlers in that area, I presume?

[Horace]

@jon-nyc said in RIP Jackie Mason:

That’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. I would have guessed he was dead already. I just think of him as part of a generation already gone. RIP Mr Mason.

However I have to comment about this…

He was 93.

Mason was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 9, 1931.

You didn't comment on that.

[jon-nyc]

They fixed it already

He was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wis., on June 9, 1928, to immigrants from Belarus, although other sources give the year as 1931.

[Horace]

@jon-nyc said in RIP Jackie Mason:

They fixed it already

He was born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wis., on June 9, 1928, to immigrants from Belarus, although other sources give the year as 1931.

You choose numeracy over anti-semitism every single time.