Composer, actor, comedian and author, he joined ASCAP in 1963 and wrote several popular songs , including "Strange Things Are Happening" and "The Ho-Ho Song".
Got his stage name when he was a lad working at Dinty Moores Tavern in the Bronx as a singer/waiter. He had to wear a uniform with 48 buttons, and with his red hair people started referring to him as Red Buttons.
Biography in: "Whos Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 80-81. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
Was the oldest guest to appear on "Dennis Miller Live" . On the 6 August 1999 episode, he was 80 years, 6 months and 1 day old.
Father of Adam and Amy, with wife Alicia.
Has 2 children: Adam and Amy. Also, has a sister.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).
Made a special Academy Awards appearance in 1998, at the The 70th Annual Academy Awards , and in 2005 at the The 75th Annual Academy Awards and participated in the Oscar Winners Tribute sequence along with other Academy Award winners.
Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards .
He was of Russian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent.
Why are we giving this man a dinner, when some of the most famous people,in history. . . never got a dinner?,Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. .
