"Never had a dinner!" Remembering Red Buttons
"Red Buttons, the carrot-topped burlesque comedian who became a top star in early television and then won a 1957 Oscar with a surprising dramatic turn in Sayonara, died Thursday. He was 87" (source).
My best memories of Mr. Buttons are from his appearances on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and similar programs where he would send the audience into fits of uncontrollable laughter with his "Never had a dinner" routines.
Of course his film career is legendary in that he was one of the first comedians to win an Academy Award for drama (1958 for Sayonara). Any performance by this skillful wit was worth watching, though, and I enjoy catching his infrequent appearances on the tele. We will miss you, Mr. Buttons. God Bless.In later years, Buttons became a favorite at testimonial/roast dinners with his roaringly funny "Never had a dinner" routine. He cited famous figures who had never been so honored. Examples: "Abe Lincoln, who said `A house divided is a condominium,' never had a dinner"; "(Perennial presidential candidate) Jerry Brown, whose theme song is 'California, Here I Go,' never had a dinner." (When he did "Buttons on Broadway," he altered the routine and named people who never did one-man shows.)
"He would always have a list of people (who never had a dinner)," said comedian Norm Crosby. "He would come up with these wonderful lines and break everyone up. Red will be missed" (ibid).
