Jan Murray, a renowned stand-up comedian, actor, master of ceremonies, game show host, and raconteur, was a stalwart of the "Borscht Belt" circuit, relying on his amiable Jewish ethnic humor to sustain a long and illustrious career.
Born Murray Janofsky in 1917 in New York City, he got his first booking in 1933 at the Bronx Opera House. He developed a reputation in the Catskills, entertaining WWII USO troops, and later became a standard Vegas marquee headliner.
Murray broke into television in the early 1950s, becoming the first comedian to host a game show, and went on to become a much-sought-after emcee throughout that decade. He hosted various programs, including Sing It Again, Dollar a Second, and Treasure Hunt, paving the way for other comedians to find new audiences.
He was a prolific guest host on TV variety and talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Mike Douglas Show. In addition to his television work, Murray also had a successful acting career, appearing in numerous TV shows and films.
Murray moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to focus on his acting career, landing roles in The Lucy Show, Car 54, Where Are You?, Dr. Kildare, and Mannix, among others. He also appeared in a few films, including The Busy Body, Which Way to the Front?, Who Killed Teddy Bear, and Tarzan and the Great River.
In his later years, Murray became a mainstay celebrity roaster. However, his health began to decline rapidly in the last several years of his life, and he died of complications from pneumonia and emphysema on July 2, 2006, at the age of 89. He was survived by his wife, Kathleen "Toni" Mann, and their three children, as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
