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Primarily known as a stand-up comedian, this leading figure of the "Borscht Belt" circuit built a long-lasting career on friendly Jewish ethnic humor. He also showcased his versatility as an actor, master of ceremonies, game show host, and storyteller.
Jan Murray, with his gravelly voice, was born Murray Janofsky in New York City in 1917. His first booking came in 1933 at the Bronx Opera House. He earned recognition in the Catskills entertaining WWII USO troops. After the war, he performed in vaudeville venues and top nightclubs before becoming a regular headline act in Las Vegas. Breaking into television in the early 1950s as a game show host—the first comedian to do so—he became a highly sought-after emcee throughout that decade. Hosting programs such as Sing It Again (1950), Dollar a Second (1953), and notably Treasure Hunt (1956), he opened doors for other comedians to reach wider audiences through new platforms. He was also known for his quick-witted storytelling on TV variety and talk shows, guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and The Mike Douglas Show (1961).
In 1965, Murray relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting, securing various roles over the years. Apart from appearances on The Lucy Show (1962) and Car 54, Where Are You? (1961), he took on occasional dramatic roles in Dr. Kildare (1961) and Mannix (1967). His film roles were sporadic but memorable, including comedic parts in The Busy Body (1967), supporting friend Sid Caesar, and in Jerry Lewis’s Which Way to the Front? (1970). His more unusual film roles featured a grim detective specializing in sex crimes tracking Juliet Prowse’s stalker in the thriller Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) and a rugged riverboat captain in Tarzan and the Great River (1967).
In his later years, Murray became a fixture as a celebrity roaster. After some time out of the spotlight, his health declined rapidly in his final years. He passed away from complications of pneumonia and emphysema at age 89 on July 2, 2006. He was survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen "Toni" Mann, their three children—Warren, Celia, and Howard Murray—and a daughter, Diane Moore, from his first marriage to Pearl Cohen. He also left behind eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
