Brooks was born in Louisville, Kentucky, one of eight sons, whose father was a county sheriff. Brooks dropped out of school after the 6th grade and did a variety of jobs before beginning a career in radio at the age of 21. He was a newscaster and disc jockey in Louisville, and Buffalo before switching to television newscasting. Brooks moved to L.A...
December 20, 2001, Encino, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack
Nationality
American
Spouse
Teri Brooks (m. 1950–2001), Loretta Brooks (m. 1934–1950)
Children
Teri Foster Brooks
Parents
Pleasant M. Brooks, Edna Brooks
Siblings
Bruce Brooks, Bob Brooks, Scott Brooks, Pleasant Brooks, Jr., Ed Brooks, Stuart Brooks, Tom Brooks
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor - Comedy Variety or Variety Musical
Movies
Cannonball Run II, Cracking Up, The Villain, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
TV Shows
The Jetsons, Challenge of the GoBots, The New Bill Cosby Show, The Book Of Lists
Star Sign
Taurus
#
Trademark
1
Frequently played drunk who tried to hide his drinking
#
Quote
1
[Interview in "Los Angeles Times", 1972] I never drew a sober breath from Friday night to Monday. Eight years ago I quit. Fellow made me a $10 bet I couldn't quit, and I haven't had a drink since. At the time I needed the $10.
Brother of "Cactus" Tom Brooks who portrayed a cowboy clown on Louisville Kentucky CBS affiliate WHAS at the beginning of the 1950s on local TV shows and events, most famously the children's birthday show T Bar V.
Despite the fact that his greatest fame came from portraying a comic drunk, Brooks himself quit drinking in the early 1960s, on a bet, and remained a teetotaler for the rest of his life.
7
Between appearing on bit parts on TV shows, Brooks got odd jobs delivering phone books or picking up packages at the post office at Christmas.
8
Perry Como saw Brooks perform his drunk act at a celebrity golf tournament and asked him to be his opening act at the opening of the new Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. When hotel management balked at having the unknown Brooks open for Como, the singer told them if Brooks didn't appear neither would he. The Hilton engagement opened the doors for Brooks, who made his national debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).
9
Once was a guard at Dodger Stadium.
10
Despite the fact he played drunks, Brooks was in reality a national spokesman for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and did public service announcements on their behalf.
11
Dropped out of school after the 6th grade.
12
Started his career as a newscaster and disc jockey in his hometown of Louisville.
13
Before becoming an actor, he was a newscaster and disc jockey.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Munsters
1965
TV Series
The Admiral
Cosby
1996
TV Series
The Giant of Thunder Mountain
1991
Doc (Townsman)
What a Dummy
1990
TV Series
Jackie Clark
The Munsters Today
1990
TV Series
Igor
Murder, She Wrote
1987
TV Series
Simon Thane
The New Mike Hammer
1987
TV Series
Manny, The Great Mandrell
Small Wonder
1986
TV Series
Roland Cardwell
GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords
1986
Stoneheart / Fossil Lord (voice)
The Jetsons
1985
TV Series
CBS Storybreak
1985
TV Series
Cannonball Run II
1984
Fisherman #1
Oddballs
1984
Hardy Bassett
Cracking Up
1983
The Pilot
Quincy M.E.
1983
TV Series
The Carriage Driver
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
1981
TV Series
Mork & Mindy
1981
TV Series
Miles Sternhagen
The Villain
1979
Bank Clerk
B.J. and the Bear
1979
TV Series
Terry Morgan
$weepstake$
1979
TV Series
Edgar
Fantasy Island
1978
TV Series
Frank 'Spider' Randall
Police Woman
1977
TV Series
Darryl Everson
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
1977
TV Movie
Switch
1977
TV Series
Dale Abee
Starsky and Hutch
1976
TV Series
Drunk Gambler
Super Seal
1976
Harold
The Dean Martin Show
1974
TV Series
Press Secretary
Here's Lucy
1973
TV Series
David Benton Miller
The New Bill Cosby Show
1972
TV Series
Regular (1972-1973)
The Manhunter
1972
TV Movie
Gas Station Owner
Adam-12
1968-1972
TV Series
Mr. Allen / George Selfridge / Harry Sachs / ...
Arnie
1972
TV Series
The Partners
1971
TV Series
Willy Cooper
The Late Liz
1971
Howard Borman
Green Acres
1968-1971
TV Series
Farmer #1 / Charlie Williams / Drunk / ...
The Beverly Hillbillies
1968-1971
TV Series
Man / Fiddlin Sam Dingle
Gunsmoke
1962-1970
TV Series
Sporting Gentleman #1 / Ed
Daniel Boone
1970
TV Series
Stranger
The High Chaparral
1970
TV Series
Drunk
Bonanza
1969-1970
TV Series
Judge Rogers / Judge
The Survivors
1969
TV Series
Stafford
Mod Squad
1969
TV Series
Will Jackson
It Takes a Thief
1968
TV Series
Drunk / Judge
Death Valley Days
1968
TV Series
Phil Stockton
The Flying Nun
1967
TV Series
Passenger
The Monkees
1967
TV Series
Conventioneer
Mr. Terrific
1967
TV Series
1st Man
Laredo
1966
TV Series
Harry Tyson
Bewitched
1966
TV Series
Robert Andrews
Tammy
1966
TV Series
Elmer
I Dream of Jeannie
1966
TV Series
Englishman
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Concert: Behind Prison Walls
1977
TV Movie documentary performer: "Half as Much"
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Think I Was an Alcoholic
1993
Short very special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
1988
TV Series
Himself
All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan
1985
TV Special
Himself
Circus of the Stars #8
1983
TV Special documentary
Himself - Performer
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
1983
TV Movie
Himself
Madame's Place
1982
TV Series
Himself
All-Star Celebration Opening the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
1981
TV Movie
Himself
All-Star Salute to Mother's Day
1981
TV Special
Himself
14th Annual Music City News Awards
1980
TV Special
Himself - Presenter
The Hollywood Squares
1979-1980
TV Series
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1975-1980
TV Series
Himself - Comedian / Himself - Co-Host
Match Game 73
1979
TV Series
Himself
Circus of the Stars #3
1979
TV Special documentary
Himself - Performer
Derby-Fieber USA
1979
TV Movie documentary
All-Star Salute to Pearl Bailey
1979
TV Movie
Himself
Everyday
1979
TV Series
Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1972-1978
TV Series
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Betty White
1978
TV Special
Himself - Comedian
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jimmy Stewart
1978
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman
1978
TV Special
Himself
Super Night at the Super Bowl
1978
TV Movie
Himself
Happy Birthday, Las Vegas
1977
TV Special
Himself
Super Night at Forest Hills
1977
TV Special
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Ted Knight
1977
TV Special
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Angie Dickinson
1977
TV Special
Himself
The Merv Griffin Show
1977
TV Series
Himself
A Concert: Behind Prison Walls
1977
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Joys
1976
TV Special
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Dean Martin
1976
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Muhammad Ali
1976
TV Special
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Valerie Harper
1975
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Evel Knievel
1975
TV Special
Himself
Match Game PM
1975
TV Series
Panelist
The Mickie Finns Finally Present How the West Was Lost
1975
TV Special
Himself
Dinah!
1975
TV Series
Himself
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Sammy Davis Jr.
1975
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jackie Gleason
1975
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Lucille Ball
1975
TV Special
Himself
The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards
1974
TV Special
Himself - Award Winner
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Telly Savalas
1974
TV Special
Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Bob Hope
1974
TV Special
Himself
The Troy Cory Evening Show
1974
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The Dean Martin Show
1973-1974
TV Series
Himself
The Real Tom Kennedy Show
1970
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Renée
2011
Documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Here's Harry: Remembering Gale Gordon
2011
Video documentary short
Clip from 'Here's Lucy'
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Roaster
More Laughing Room Only
1986
Video
Himself
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1974
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Best Supporting Actor in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music