Jack Benny: An intimate biography

by Irving Fein

A warm and intimate portrait of the quintessential humorist of an age – Jack Benny – by Irving A. Fein, Jack’s personal manager, and with an introduction by George Burns.

When Americans heard the rasping strains of “Love in Bloom” and the first long-drawn-out, perfectly timed “Well!” they sat back and prepared to laugh at that dean of comedians Jack Benny. Now Irving Fein, Jack’s friend for twenty-eight years, reaches behind the persona of “the world’s worst violin player” and “the stingiest man in in show business” to write about Jack Benny the man: a gentle, generous, yet serious person who loved to make people laugh and who loved to laugh himself.

It’s all here – the best anecdotes of a half century in show business, the enduring friendships with stars as well as everyday people, his long and happy marriage to Mary Livingstone. Anyone who ever laughed at or with Jack Benny will treasure this perspective, revealing tribute to a man who represented humor itself, a man whose voice characterized the laughter of an age – Mr. Jack Benny.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[John G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit disappointed with this. Was interested in Benny's comedic technique, because he's considered the king of timing and facial gestures and stares. Very little of that here, a lot of name dropping though. I came away liking Benny less after reading this, he came away as petty, vain and rather spoiled.

[Samantha Glasser]

Chuck Schaden interviewed Fein and they chatted about his association with Benny and discussed Benny's enthusiasm for the little things in life, such as a drive from point A to B without hitting a red light, or a great dish of ham and eggs.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my interest in the old comedians, who moved from Vaudeville to radio, to TV. After reading the Marlo Thomas book and several books by George Burns, I had to read something on Jack Benny, the ultimate entertainer. This book is a bit too detailed, written by Benny's producer for close to 30 years, but it still has some interesting insights and stories. After reading over 100 pages, and then skipping to the end, I think I read enough. Maybe a little more before I return it to the library.

The nice thing about these comedians is they, as my grandmother would say, if she was alive, is that the humor more mostly clean and good natured. I'm tired with the young comedians who can't be funny without being coarse and crude. The older comedians knew their audiences, and when to work straight and when to work "blue". But it wasn't all the time.

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed watching The Jack Benny Program when I was a kid. Sixty years later I still enjoy it when it comes on one of my non-cable channels. Very often it was one of his supporting cast members who had the funny lines but Benny held the show together. He projected an image he worked hard to protect on and off the stage. Irving Fein tells us that this was not always easy, that Benny could be crude and cruel. He was a hard worker and produced entertaining programs. I certainly admire his tenacity in practicing the violin for his numerous concerts with symphony orchestras spanning the country. How well I know that the fingers don't move as freely as we get older.
One mystery still unsolved although Fein tries to give an explanation. My mother once told me that her father, my grandfather, the finest man I ever knew, did not like Jack Benny. This stemmed from a smuggling case against Benny n which he was caught bringing precious jewelry into the country without declaring them to customs. My grandfather was a platinum smith, a man who made jewelry using platinum. He had a shop in Washington D.C. and struggled during the Depression. Benny was fined $10,000. I never watched Jack Benny's show in my grandfather's presence.

Below are a few comments concerning isolated passages.

One startling error, on page 268, after a story concerning the appearance of the Apollo 1 astronauts with Jack Benny at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas:
Two months later at Cape Kennedy when their spaceship exploded at takeoff, a tragic accident which claimed the lives of those three men,…
They astronauts were killed in a flash fire inside their space capsule. It was not during takeoff. There was no explosion.
Later, on the same page, Fein wrote that Alan Shepard was the first man to fly in space. He was not the first; that honor goes to Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union. Shepard was the first American to fly in space.

Benny had a lasting friendship with pro golfer Doug Sanders, perhaps best known for his many pairs of golf shoes. Fein misspelled Sanders’ name, inserting a U as the third letter.

I was reading a book on the final year of the Donald Trump presidency, 2020, while reading this book. Benny and Trump seemed to have similar personalities: very argumentative (unlike Trump, Benny would yield to good advice), controlling, everything was about them.

Three stars waxing

[Mark Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first published of several Benny biographies, written by his publicist/manager. Highlight is a selection of humorous letters Benny wrote to Frank Remley and Freddie De Cordova. Has just a smidgeon of “tell all” type details concerning Jack’s pessimism & temper, Mary’s spending, and Joanie’s marriages.

[Sarah Dunn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read if you want to maintain respect for Jack Benny. Fans are better off watching “To Be Or Not To Be” instead of languishing through this bitter diatribe.

[Howard Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, funny and gossipy. A wonderful light read and insight into America's funniest patriot.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Milt Josefsberg bio is better.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, His friend and manager of 28 yrs was there and tells Jack's life story with interesting detail, really fascinating life of a performer for 60 yrs in comedy/radio and television. He praised his writers and did a ton of charity work. A book I enjoyed reading about a chapter or two every night. His character and style influenced Johnny Carson and many self deprecating comedians. Check his videos on you tube. This book looks at Benny in a positive light. If I was a hippie I would say , I dug it. But I am not, ( I enjoy soap baths) I liked it.
Easy read, brought back memories, I still think he is funny today and He introduced Frank Nelson, The YESSSSSS, May I Help YOUUU! guy who played the clerk everywhere Jack went.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a new fan of Benny's, and it was my daughter whom introduced me to this genius of comedy. I would've liked less of his "bits" repeated in this book, and more about the man himself. Regardless, I learned more than I knew, which was nothing:)

[Tom Walsh]

details his long friendship with Gracie Allen and George Burns. Did you know Benny dated Gracie before she met Burns? True.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hesitated over the rating stars; let's call it 3.75 stars.

Full review to come

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

read some time in 1979