Leonard Alfred Schneider (October 13, 1925 – August 3, 1966), better known by his stage name Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic and satirist.He was renowned for his open, free-style and critical form of comedy which integrated satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity. His 1964 conviction in an obscenity trial was followed by a posthumous pardon, the first in New York State history, by then-Governor George Pataki in 2003. He paved the way for future outspoken counterculture-era comedians, and his trial for obscenity is seen as a landmark for freedom of speech in the United States.
October 13, 1925, Mineola, New York, United States
Died
August 3, 1966, Hollywood Hills, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Mineola, Long Island, New York, USA
Profession
Writer, Actor, Soundtrack
Education
Wellington C. Mepham High School
Nationality
American
Spouse
Honey Bruce (m. 1951–1957)
Children
Kitty Bruce
Parents
Sally Marr, Myron Schneider
Nominations
Academy Award for Best Actor, Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for Best Director, Academy Award for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay, Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Award ...
Movies
Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth, Lenny Bruce Without Tears, Thank You Mask Man, The Lenny Bruce Performance Film, The Cape Canaveral Monsters, The Rocket Man, Dance Hall Racket, Hungry I Reunion, Dream Follies
TV Shows
Broadway Open House
Star Sign
Libra
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Trademark
1
Jokes about controversial social issues
2
His obscene language
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Quote
1
I won't say ours was a tough school, but we had our own coroner. We used to write songs like, "What I'm going to do if I grow up".
2
A lot of people say to me, "Why did you kill Christ?". I dunno. It was one of those parties, got out of hand, you know.
3
The only truly anonymous donor is the guy who knocks up your daughter.
4
Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.
5
[on André Previn's shock at being presented with a stolen set of books] You're not thinking straight, man. If I had 90 bucks and spent it in order to get you a present, what would be a big deal in that? It wouldn't even make a dent in me! But to steal 'em for you--I'm already on parole, man, and if I had got caught, I would have gone back to jail. Now that's what I call giving you a present.
6
I'll die young, but it's like kissing God.
7
If God made the body, and the body is dirty, then the fault lies with the manufacturer.
8
Marijuana will be legal some day, because the many law students who now smoke pot will someday become Congressmen and legalize it in order to protect themselves.
9
I credit the motion picture industry as the strongest environmental factor in molding the children of my day.
10
"Life" is a four-letter word.
11
I hate small towns because once you've seen the cannon in the park there's nothing else to do.
12
All my humor is based on destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I'd be standing in the breadline--right in back of J. Edgar Hoover.
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Fact
1
#3 in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Standups of All Time.
2
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy", by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 69-72. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
3
On December 23, 2003, New York Gov. George Pataki granted him a posthumous pardon, a first in New York state history, for an obscenity charge filed after a particularly raunchy performance in 1964 at "Cafe Au Go Go" in New York City's Greenwich Village during which he was said to have used more than 100 obscene words.
4
Is given a respectful thank-you in the credits to George Carlin's "Class Clown" album, under his real name, Leonard Schneider.
5
Information about his death was mentioned in Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's song "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night". He is also mentioned in the lyrics of the Genesis song "Broadway Melody of 1974" from their album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" and R.E.M.'s hit song "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". Bob Dylan wrote a song about him, entitled "Lenny Bruce", which is the fourth track on his 1981 album "Shot of Love".
6
He appears on the sleeve artwork of the album "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles (released in 1967). He is also one of several famous and tragic figures from history to be featured on the sleeve artwork of the album "Clutching at Straws" by rock band Marillion (released in 1987).
$600,000
