Pinky Lee was born on May 2, 1907 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA as Pincus Leff. He was an actor, known for Lady of Burlesque (1943), Hawaiian Nights (1954) and Dental Follies (1937). He was married to Bebe Dancis. He died on April 3, 1993 in Mission Viejo, California, USA.
Ocean's 11, South of Caliente, In Old Amarillo, That's My Gal, One Exciting Week, Blonde Ransom
TV Shows
The Pinky Lee Show
Star Sign
Taurus
#
Trademark
1
Garish plaid suit, checkered baggy pants and hat, and a huge lisp
#
Quote
1
I was the cleanest comedian in burlesque. I don't sing any love songs. I'm never in love. No Jane Russell type jokes. No violence. There are no gestures alluring to the derrière or other parts of the anatomy. Words like 'lousy' or 'stinker' are absolutely verboten. It's a happy, wholesome show.
2
If I've done nothing else, I've at least left some love with children who have grown up. I've reached a very great height to say I've touched people's hearts and I've stayed there.
#
Fact
1
Always maintained that his lisp was not an affectation, but was inherited, as there were several lispers on both sides of his family.
2
Children: Patty and Morgan. His daughter, Patty, has one child, a daughter.
3
Wild burlesque comic whose silly, childish routines worked perfectly as the manic host of a children's show. His program, The Pinky Lee Show (1950) proved a solid lead-in to the long-running Howdy Doody (1954) in the 50s.
4
Plagued by parental complaints that his frenetic kiddie show caused their children to misbehave, NBC tone down Pinky's show by limiting the destruction of property, bad grammar, squirting seltzer water, throwing things, name-calling and other antisocial behavior.
5
Pee Wee Herman (aka Paul Reubens) and his show, Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986) was lifted almost 100% from Pinky Lee -- right down to the little slanted window on the set, the ill-fitting checked suit, the laugh, the hat, the behavior, even the eyebrows. The resemblance was eerie.
6
One of the hardest-working men in TV, Pinky collapsed live on the air in 1955 in what appeared to be a heart attack, but was later discovered as a severe sinus attack. When he regained his health and attempted to return, the TV networks were not receptive and his career went downhill fast. They were afraid he might once again collapse in front of thousands of children on THEIR station.
7
Often the punchline of other comedian's jokes, one Broadway critic called him "the comedian that comedians hate" because of his brash, over-the-top persona.
8
Later years were spent on the The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) (aka "Ed Sullivan Show"), Bob Hope specials, game shows, and the burlesque and dinner theatre circuit.
9
Comic.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Here It Is, Burlesque!
1979
TV Movie
Skits
The ABC Comedy Hour
1972
TV Series
Ocean's 11
1960
Pinky Lee (scenes deleted)
The Pinky Lee Show
1957
TV Series
Pinky Lee
The Gumby Show
1956
TV Series
Host (1957)
Hawaiian Nights
1954
Short
Pinky - the Valet
Those Two
1951
TV Series
Regular
Pals of the Golden West
1951
Photographer Pinky
South of Caliente
1951
Pinky
In Old Amarillo
1951
Pinky Lee
That's My Gal
1947
Harry Coleman
One Exciting Week
1946
Itchy
Blonde Ransom
1945
Pinky Lee
Earl Carroll Vanities
1945
Pinky Price
Lady of Burlesque
1943
Mandy
Dental Follies
1937
Short
Dentist
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hawaiian Nights
1954
Short performer: "Kumu in the Muumuu"
Earl Carroll Vanities
1945
performer: "Rockabye Boogie", "The Last Man in Town"
$19 Million
