Keefe Brasselle (February 7, 1923 – July 7, 1981) was an American film actor, television actor/producer and author. He is best remembered for the starring role in The Eddie Cantor Story (1953). The film was a response to the wildly successful The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again starring Larry Parks. The Eddie Cantor Story, however, could not equal the success of the Jolson films and Brasselle's career did not launch as anticipated. In 1953, Braselle hosted an episode of The Colgate Comedy Hour with comedian/dancer Dick Wesson as a promotional tie-in for the film.In 1956, Braselle married the singer Arlene DeMarco (28 January 1933 – 19 February 2013). They divorced in 1967.Brasselle had a close friendship with CBS executive James Aubrey. Brasselle started his own production company and Aubrey granted Brasselle's company three television series without any previous script, pitch or pilots. The insider-chicanery resulted in a lawsuit against Aubrey and Brasselle launched by CBS shareholders. There were rumors that Aubrey had no choice in the matter due to threats from the Mafia, with which Brasselle was known to be connected.In 1961, an Edison Township, New Jersey nightclub owned by Brasselle burned under suspicious circumstances. Fire officials came across six empty cans of gasoline at the scene, while their caps and spouts were found separately in a paper bag.In the summer of 1963, Brasselle starred in a summer replacement series for The Garry Moore Show. Called The Keefe Brasselle Show, the program featured actress Ann B. Davis as herself in three episodes. During the 1964-1965 season, Brasselle's "Richelieu Productions" banner produced three new but untested series: The Baileys of Balboa, The Cara Williams Show, and The Reporter, starring Harry Guardino. Those series suffered from poor ratings. Aubrey was removed as president of CBS Television in February 1965 after a long court battle. Brasselle later wrote a novel that was a thinly disguised account of his relationship with Aubrey and the network, The Cannibals (1968), followed by a sequel, The Barracudas (1973), in which he attacked several showbiz figures he'd worked with, including comedian Jack Benny.
Brasselle's chief claim to fame was starring in the titular role of The Eddie Cantor Story (1953), a film which failed to emulate the success of a similar biopic, The Jolson Story (1946). Much of the blame for the picture's failure was attributed to Brassell's unconvincing performance which, critics said, bordered on caricature. He fared little better as a producer, despite his friendship to CBS executive James Aubrey. All three shows produced under the banner of Keefe Brasselle's Richelieu Productions (The Baileys of Balboa, The Cara Williams Show, and The Reporter) showed poor ratings returns, resulting in Aubrey's removal as CBS president.
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Was rumoured to have connections to the Mafia. Brasselle himself bragged about his mob ties.
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At one time worked as a professional wrestler.
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A New Jersey nightclub in which Brasselle had an interest, burned down in July 1961 under suspicious circumstances.
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Father of Erin Keefe Brasselle (b. 1943), with Norma Jean Aldrich.
Was assistant to and protegé of CBS Television Network president James T. Aubrey in the early 1960's.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Adam-12
1973
TV Series
George Baker
Black Gunn
1972
Winman
The United States Steel Hour
1962
TV Series
The Red Skelton Hour
1956-1960
TV Series
Mr. Zimba / Sr. Alberto / Musician
The David Niven Show
1959
TV Series
Gentry
The Phil Silvers Show
1958
TV Series
Sgt. J.J. Covington
The Loretta Young Show
1958
TV Series
Johnny Roberts
Death Over My Shoulder
1958
Jack Regan
Matinee Theatre
1957
TV Series
The Fighting Wildcats
1957
Brett Manders
Battle Stations
1956
Chris Jordan
The Ford Television Theatre
1954-1956
TV Series
Johnny Bartlett / Johnny Cantrell
Studio One in Hollywood
1956
TV Series
Science Fiction Theatre
1955
TV Series
Edward Burton
Celebrity Playhouse
1955
TV Series
Lux Video Theatre
1955
TV Series
Joe Martini
Bring Your Smile Along
1955
Martin 'Marty' Adams
Mad at the World
1955
Sam Bennett aka Bill Holland
The Star and the Story
1955
TV Series
Ed Fielding
Three Young Texans
1954
Tony Ballew
The Eddie Cantor Story
1953
Eddie Cantor
Skirts Ahoy!
1952
Dick Hallson
A Letter from a Soldier
1951
Short
Maxie Klein
It's a Big Country: An American Anthology
1951
Sgt. Maxie Klein
The Unknown Man
1951
Rudi Wallchek
Bannerline
1951
Mike Perrivale
A Place in the Sun
1951
Earl Eastman
Dial 1119
1950
Skip
Never Fear
1949
Guy Richards
Not Wanted
1949
Drew Baxter
The Babe Ruth Story
1948
Call Boy (uncredited)
T-Men
1947
Ocean Park Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Railroaded!
1947
Cowie Kowalski
Heartaches
1947
Gus. Prop Boy (uncredited)
Killer at Large
1947
Copy Boy (uncredited)
Repeat Performance
1947
Delivery Boy (uncredited)
Bells of San Angelo
1947
Ignacio (uncredited)
River Gang
1945
Johnny
Three Little Sisters
1944
Soldier (uncredited)
Janie
1944
Soldier (uncredited)
USS VD: Ship of Shame
1942
Chicken (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
If You Don't Stop It... You'll Go Blind!!!
1975
lyrics: "We've Got To Get Back On Our Backs" / music: "We've Got To Get Back On Our Backs" / performer: "Don't Fuck Around With Love" / writer: "Don't Fuck Around With Love"
Bring Your Smile Along
1955
performer: "Italian Mother Song Mama Mia", "Side By Side"
Skirts Ahoy!
1952
performer: "I Get a Funny Feeling" - uncredited
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Cara Williams Show
1964-1965
TV Series developer - 2 episodes
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
If You Don't Stop It... You'll Go Blind!!!
1975
The Fighting Wildcats
1957
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Cara Williams Show
1964
TV Series producer - 1 episode
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Reporter
1964
TV Series developer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
If You Don't Stop It... You'll Go Blind!!!
1975
Himself
The Keefe Brasselle Show
1963
TV Series
Himself - Host / Himself
Talent Scouts
1963
TV Series
Himself
Be Our Guest
1960
TV Series
Himself - Host / Himself
The Ed Sullivan Show
1959
TV Series
Impressionist
Keep It in the Family
1957
TV Series
Himself - Host (1957)
Spectacular
1957
TV Series
Himself
The 26th Annual Academy Awards
1954
TV Special
Himself - Co-Presenter: Short Subject Awards
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1954
TV Series
Himself - Singer
This Is Your Life
1953
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Case Against the 20% Federal Admissions Tax on Motion Picture Theatres
1953
Documentary short
Himself, actor in film clip from 'Dial 1119' (uncredited)