December 1, 2003


  • My brush with greatness ....


    During the late 70's early 80's I was going to a junior college in Stockton, California. to make ends meet, I was working at a local movie theater and dating a gal who was the manager of the Swenson's Ice Cream Parlor next door (hey, those ice cream sundaes came in handy when payday seems soooooo long away).


    Anyway, being the funny kinda guy I am, I found out that Henny Youngman was going to be performing at our college. Sadly, I wasn't able to attend because of work, and my manager didn't see the importance of this event on my life.


    So I was stuck at work, the night of the show.


    Around 10:00PM, some friends came by and told me that they saw Henny after the show getting hammered at a local bar, nd that he had left to go to his hotel. Well, there was only one semi-nice hotel in town, so I too a chance and called it from the pay phone.


    "Hello, such-and-such Hotel?"


    "Uh, yes, may I have Mr. Youngman's room, please?" I said, using my best adult voice I could muster at 20 years old.


    "Certainly, please hold."


    Holy shit! I was being patched in to Henny Youngman ... live on the phone. The phone rang twice and then was picked up.


    "Hello?"


    "Is this Henny Youngman?"


    "Yes, yes it is."


    Oh my god. I'm actually talking to THE Henny Youngman ... one of the oldest king of the one-liners. And here I was babbling like I had a school girl crush.


    "Mr. Youngman, I'm a huge fan of yours and I couldn't make it to the show tonight because I couldn't get off work. But I just want you to know how much I love your comedy and how much you've made me laugh over the years. And since I couldn't come to the show, I was wondering if you could say, "Take my wife, please?"


    "(laughter) Sure thing kid. "Take my wife .....please!"


    "Mr. Youngman, you just made my life complete."


    "No problem, kid. Goodnight."


    That was 1981, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. It did make my life, and it's one of those fond memories that makes you feel all warm inside. I was sad when he passed away in 1998. but that phone call will live with me forever.


    DG

Comments (10)

  • That was beautiful. Wonderful story

    BTW...in 1981, I was in sixth grade.

  • Great story, I wonder if any celebs register under their own name anymore at all?

    I was in 3rd and 4th grade in '81 (ouch, I feel old).

  • That was so cool!

  • :) Now that is a great historical moment...for him to grant you that wish..is just ...awesome!  I am awestruck...Wow....Thanks for sharing that moment..I had one brush with greatness...I was getting into the same cab as Boy George in New York back in 1985..My good friend was so nervous he forgot to take the lens cap off the camera....TEE HEE....peace..*hugs* Sheri

  • I think Rodney Dangerfield is the last of the great old school one line comedians.  It's a lost art form.  BTW I remember when that happened to you.  The story still cracks me up.

  • Heck of a story, amigo!

  • y'know, age combined, we could take the punks up there who are shoving their age in your face.
    i got married in '81...I was...over 20 and under 25.

    my brush with greatness?  met, talked to, got an autograph from and shook hands with Count Basie.  Yes.  THE count basie.  At a sleazy bar in the downtown KC jazz district...when I was underage.  It was...a moment of divine madness I'll tell ya.

  • oh and thanks for the compliment on my pics.  i appreciate it.

  • What a great story! 

  • Hey, wasn't I there when you made that phonecall?

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