[Deathwatch] Pat McCormick, actor, 78

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Pat McCormick, writer for many TV comedies

August 1, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- Pat McCormick, a walrus-mustachioed comedy writer for
Phyllis Diller, Red Skelton and others, and who also appeared on "The
Tonight Show" and had a role in three "Smokey and the Bandit" movies,
died Friday. He was 78.

Mr. McCormick died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's hospital
in Woodland Hills, spokeswoman Jennifer Fagen said Saturday.

He was admitted to the facility in 1998 after a stroke left him
partially paralyzed.

Mr. McCormick dropped out of Harvard Law School to pursue advertising
work in New York but abandoned that career when he began earning money
writing jokes for television and nightclub performers.

Mr. McCormick eventually became a writer for "The Jack Paar Show." Over
a five-decade career, he wrote for the 1960s comedy series "Get Smart"
and "The Danny Kaye Show."

He also wrote and appeared on "Candid Camera" and was an announcer and
straight man on Don Rickles' short-lived TV variety show in 1968.

He was a regular on "The New Bill Cosby Show" in 1972.

Mr. McCormick wrote for and made scores of appearances on "The Tonight
Show." He played characters in sketches, dressing up as turkeys,
squirrels and the shark from "Jaws." In one 1974 show, he streaked
naked across the stage behind Carson during the opening monologue.

Mr. McCormick, who was more than 61/2 feet tall, also appeared in small
roles in movies. He played Big Enos in the 1977 movie "Smokey and the
Bandit" and two sequels.

'Bandit' star McCormick dead at 78
Comedian wrote for 'Tonight Show,' others

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Pat McCormick, the walrus-mustachioed
comedian and comedy writer who made regular appearances on "The Tonight
Show" with Johnny Carson and "The Gong Show," has died at 78.

He died Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in
Woodland Hills, where he was admitted in 1998 following a stroke that
left him partially paralyzed.

Says longtime friend and comedian Shelley Berman, quote "Few, very few,
will ever be able to craft a joke as beautifully as Pat."

On being on the wagon, McCormick often joked: "I gave up drinking booze
when my liver started showing up on airport metal detectors."

In one 1974 "Tonight Show," he streaked naked across the stage behind
Carson during the opening monologue.

He wrote for numerous comedians and performers, including Phyllis
Diller, Merv Griffin and Red Skelton.

McCormick is survived by his son Ben McCormick and a grandson.



Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary