One-of-a-kind nightclub comedian/singer Dick Shawn as two con artists deliberately producing a stage "bomb" called "Springtime for Hitler," Shawn sang the hammy, absurdly narcissistic song "Love Power." The movie finally captured Shawn in his element, but this stroke of genius of matching actor to role would never happen again for him. For the most part his roles came off slick and smarmy, and were stuck in mediocre material. Shawn won a huge fan base, however, touring in one-man stage shows which contained a weird mix of songs, sketches, satire, philosophy and even pantomime. A bright, innovative wit, one of his best touring shows was called "The Second Greatest Entertainer in the World." During the show's intermission, Shawn would lie visibly on the stage floor absolutely still during the entire time. By freakish coincidence, Shawn was performing at the University of California at San Diego in 1987 when he suddenly fell forward on the stage during one of his spiels about the Holocaust. The audience, of course, laughed, thinking it was just a part of his odd shtick. In actuality, the 63-year-old married actor with four children had suffered a fatal heart attack. A not surprising end for this thoroughly offbeat and intriguing personality.
Interred at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California, USA.
Died on stage of a heart attack.
Was supposedly the first person to execute the icon "The High Five", in the movie, The Producers . It was during the play in the movie, "Springtime For Hitler", the character of Hitler played by Shawn sent for Goebbels who was played by David Patch , and instead of putting his hand in front of for the "give me five", Shawn held it up and Patch slapped it. Though it would not become popular till many years later.
Father of Amy, Wendy, Adam and Jennifer.
The irony of his death on stage is that it went "unnoticed" because of Shawns strict instructions to stage crews. He would tell all concerned that he was liable to do anything at any time, including pratfalls, and that they were not to react to this. At his last performance, it did not occur to anyone that something tragic had happened until it was felt that his lying motionless on stage had run the joke rather thin. It was only then that Shawn was discovered to have died doing what he did best; enthralling his audience with his marvelous humour.
Dick Shawn was a guest star on a very popular in 1960s TV-show "Password".
William Shatner attended Shawns second-to-last show the night before he died on stage. Shatner has said at conventions that he thinks that would be a great way to go out.
I think of my relationship with any audience as a love affair. It lasts,only a little while but I always look forward to a happy ending. For,both of us.
