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Jack Carter

Arguably one of the most prolific comedians of the 20th century, Jack Carter was a super-charged, multi-talented star of stage, screen, television and nightclubs for over six decades, as well as one of the unsung pioneers of early variety television. A gifted mimic and rapid-fire comic, Carter could also sing, dance and play dramatic roles, which led to an astonishingly prolific career in virtually every genre and medium, from the Broadway stage to live television, TV movies and occasional features like "Hustle" (1975) and "Alligator" (1980). He was less well known as the host of his own series, "The Jack Carter Show," which aired on NBC as part of the "Saturday Night Revue" (1950) and was reportedly axed due to conflicts with its follow-up, "Your Show of Shows" (NBC, 1950-54). But if Carter failed to gain the enduring fame of Sid Caesar, he enjoyed a career that not only lasted but continued to improve over the course of 60 years, with appearances on top-rated shows like "Desperate Housewives" (ABC, 2004-2012) in his eighth decade. Carter's extraordinary longevity in the entertainment business was proof positive that talent, versatility and determination earned their own rewards. His death on June 28, 2015 at the age of 93 was mourned by generations of comedy fans.