Red Buttons

Red Buttons (born Aaron Chwatt; February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was an American comedian, actor, and singer whose six-decade career spanned vaudeville, burlesque, television, and film, highlighted by his Academy Award-winning dramatic performance in Sayonara (1957). Born to Jewish immigrant parents on New York City's Lower East Side, with his father a Polish hatmaker who inspired his show business aspirations, Buttons began performing as a child singer in burlesque shows and on street corners to support his family. In 1939, at age 20, he joined Minsky's burlesque circuit, and at age 16, while working as a bellhop at Ryan's Tavern in the Bronx, his red hair and the shiny buttons on his uniform earned him the stage name "Red Buttons," suggested by orchestra leader Charles "Dinty" Moore.

Buttons rose through the Borscht Belt resorts and vaudeville circuits in the 1930s and 1940s, performing comedy routines and impressions, before serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, where he entertained troops in Europe. Postwar, he transitioned to television with guest spots on shows like The Admiral Broadway Revue and The Colgate Comedy Hour, leading to his own NBC variety series, The Red Buttons Show (1952–1955), which featured sketches, monologues, and guest stars, earning him Emmy nominations for his energetic hosting and character work. After the show's cancellation, he pivoted to film, debuting in Winged Victory (1944) but gaining acclaim for dramatic roles, culminating in his Oscar and Golden Globe wins for portraying Airman Joe Kelly, a soldier in a forbidden interracial romance, in Joshua Logan's Sayonara.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Buttons balanced comedy and drama in ensemble films like Hatari! (1962), The Longest Day (1962), and They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), the latter earning him a Golden Globe nomination, while also appearing in Disney's Pete's Dragon (1977), another Globe-nominated role. As a songwriter, he penned hits like "Strange Things Are Happening" (1953), a chart-topping novelty song. His signature "Never Got a Dinner!" routine, a satirical litany of historical figures overlooked for testimonial dinners, became a staple at Friars Club and Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts in the 1970s, reviving his stand-up popularity and showcasing his rapid-fire delivery. Buttons died at his Century City home from vascular disease at age 87, leaving a legacy as a versatile entertainer who bridged eras of American comedy.