Irwin Corey

"Professor" Irwin Corey (July 29, 1914 – February 6, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, and activist. His career began in 1938. Corey began his stand-up career in an San Francisco club, the Hungry i.

"Professor" Irwin Corey
Corey in August 1963.
Born	(1914-07-29)July 29, 1914 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	February 6, 2017(2017-02-06) (aged 102) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Actor, stand-up comedian
Years active	1938–2016
Spouse(s)	Fran Corey ​ (m. 1941⁠–⁠2011)​ (her death); 2 children
Comedy career
Genres	Wit/Word play, improvisational and character comedy, satire
Influences	Charlie Chaplin, The Marx Brothers
Influenced	Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Shelley Berman, Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart, Tom Smothers
Website	Official website

Early life

Corey was born on July 29, 1914 in Brooklyn, New York to an Jewish family.^[1] His parents were forced to give him up in an Hebrew Orphan Asylum of New York. He was never adopted, so he spent the rest of his teenage years in the Asylum. Corey studied at the Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California.

Influences

Corey was influenced by Charlie Chaplin and by The Marx Brothers. He had influence Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Shelley Berman, Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart, and Tom Smothers.^[2] Lenny Bruce once said that Corey is "one of the most brilliant comedians of all time".^[3]

Personal life

Corey was married to Fran Corey from 1941 until her death in 2011.^[4] They had two children, Margaret Corey (dead) and Richard Corey. He also has a grandson, Amadeo. He lived in his home town of San Francisco, California until moving to Manhattan, New York for his comedic stage career.

Corey died at his Manhattan apartment on February 6, 2017, aged 102.^[5]

Movies

• How to Commit Marriage (1969)
• Fore Play (1975)
• Car Wash (1976)
• Thieves (1977) (reprising his stage role)
• Chatterbox! (1977) (cameo)
• Fairy Tales (1979)
• Stuck on You! (1983)
• Jack (1996)
• The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
• Irwin & Fran (2012)^[6]