Portrait of Jerry Lester

Jerry Lester

Acting

Biography

Jerry Lester (February 16, 1910 – March 23, 1995) was an American comedian, singer and performer on radio, television and the stage, who hosted the first network late night television program as host of Broadway Open House on NBC, a vaudeville-esque combination of comedy and music, whose success demonstrated the potential for late-night television and led to the creation of the Tonight Show.

Born: February 16, 1910

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Filmography

1980
Smokey and the Bandit II

as Warehouse Guard

1980
1978
Odds and Evens

as Mike Firpo

1973
The Godmothers

as Ricky Mastrasso

1961
The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host

1959
The Rookie

as Jerry Mann

1942
Sleepytime Gal

as Downbeat

1933
Arizona to Broadway

as Jimmy Dante

1933
Mickey's Gala Premiere

as Maurice Chevalier / Ed Wynne / Jimmy Durante (voice)