Overview (4)
| Born | in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Died | in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (cancer) |
| Birth Name | David Norris Brenner |
| Height | 6' 2" (1.88 m) |
Mini Bio (1)
David Brenner was born on February 4, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA as David Norris Brenner. He was an actor and writer, known for Worth Winning (1989), Snip (1976) and Theory of a Deadman: Not Meant to Be (2009). He was married to Ruth, Elizabeth Slater and Geri Leno. He died on March 15, 2014 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
Spouse (3)
| Ruth | (7 March 2011 - 15 March 2014) (his death) |
| Elizabeth Slater | (19 February 2000 - 2001) (divorced) (2 children) |
| Geri Leno | (? - ?) (divorced) |
Trivia (16)
He and Elizabeth Slater were married in Las Vegas during Brenner's live HBO comedy special.
He died from cancer at his home in Manhattan, NYC, with his wife, Ruth, at his side.
Lived with Charisse Brody from 1980-1983. They had 1 son.
In 1976, he was to co-star as a divorced hairdresser in the beautician comedy series "Snip", a TV takeoff of the Warren Beatty movie Shampoo (1975). Just before its scheduled September 30th debut, NBC abruptly canceled the show -- so fast in fact that TV Guide did not even have time to remove a special feature on the show in its Fall Preview of September 18-24. Why? One of the show's supporting characters, a fellow hairdresser named Michael, was openly gay and NBC got cold feet at the last minute. Had "Snip" premiered, it would have been a first on American series TV. Instead, Billy Crystal went on to receive that honor with his gay character a year later on the popular series Soap (1977). Seven episodes of "Snip" were completed when it got the ax. The only place the series ended up airing was in Australia, and it became the highest rated show in Australian history at that time.
Attended Temple University where he graduated with honors, majoring in mass communication.
In high school, was elected class president each year and "Class Comedian."
Appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) more times than any other guest.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 59-60. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
David has the record for appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) for 158 appearances not including guest hosting.
Became engaged to Tai Babilonia in Central Park in New York City in May, 2005.
Longtime friend of Richard Lewis.
Release of his book, "Revenge is the Best Exercise". [1984]
Release of his book, "I Think There's a Terrorist in My Soup: How to Survive Personal and World Problems with Laughter--Seriously". [2003]
Release of his book, "If God Wanted Us to Travel--". [1990]
Was in a relationship with former pairs figure skater Tai Babilonia 2002 - 2009.
Substituted for Paul Lynde, (while he was on vacation) as the center square on TV's Hollywood Squares during 1975-1980.
Personal Quotes (3)
You know you're getting old when... you start to dress in more than six colors.
You know you're getting old when kids start to dress like you used to and movies are made about your teen life.
[Even in death, he kept the jokes coming. Brenner's final request was to have $100 in small bills tucked in his sock] Just in case tipping is recommended where I'm going. [His grave site reads:] If this is supposed to be a joke, then I don't get it!
