Perpetually glum standup comedian Joey Bishop was born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb on February 3, 1918, in the Bronx, New York. He was the youngest of five children of Chana "Anna" is an actor-turned-director and producer. Long retired and the last surviving "Rat Pack" member after Sinatra's death in 1998, his wife Sylvia of 58 years died of cancer in 1999. Joey, in failing health for some time, died of multiple organ failure on October 17, 2007, at his Newport Beach, California home.
Member of the "Rat Pack"--himself, Dean Martin , Frank Sinatra , Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford. All appear in Oceans Eleven .
Father of actor Larry Bishop.
Received a citation from Pope John XXIII for his help with the Boys Towns throughout Italy.
Weighed 2 lbs, 14 oz, at birth. At the time was the smallest baby ever born at Fordham Hospital in New York City.
While he performed as the "straight man" during the famous "Rat Pack" performances in Las Vegas, he wrote much of the material.
Guest-hosted "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" more than anyone else, doing so 177 times.
Was a regular on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts".
Biography in: "Whos Who in Comedy" by Ronald S. Smith, pg. 53-54. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
His professional surname, Bishop, was taken from the last name of a chauffeur friend of his in his early days in show business.
He and the other members of the Rat Pack were banned from Marilyn Monroe s funeral by Joe DiMaggio.
Is portrayed by Bobby Slayton in The Rat Pack
Some time after his wifes death, Nora Garbotti became his constant companion.
One of his biggest passions was simply playing golf with his comic cronies Buddy Hackett , Phil Foster and Dick Shawn.
Comedian/producer Danny Thomas was so impressed with Bishop that he had a weekly sitcom built around Bishop in the early 1960s.
During his "Rat Pack" peak, he was asked by Frank Sinatra to be the master of ceremonies for President John F. Kennedy s inaugural gala.
Was the last surviving member of "The Rat Pack".
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as the title character in "The Joey Bishop Show" .
Acting mentor and friend of Abby Dalton.
Interviewed in "The Great Comedians Talk About Comedy" by Larry Wilde.
Patrick Fischler used Bishop as his major influence for the Jimmy Barrett character in the series "Mad Men" , as he wanted Barretts humor to have a charming element to it even while he was being insulting or mean.
In the late 1940s he had a nightclub comedy act with Jack Soo.
