Shelley Berman's journey in acting began shortly after his honorable discharge from the US Navy. He enrolled in the drama program at Chicago's Goodman Theater, where he met his future wife, Sarah Herman, a fellow aspiring actress. They married in 1947 and went on to graduate from the Goodman Theater. Berman's early career included stints with the Woodstock Players, a stock theater company in Illinois, where he honed his skills alongside fellow performers Geraldine Page, Betsy Palmer, and Tom Bosley.
After leaving Woodstock, Berman and his wife traveled across the country, with Berman searching for acting work. When opportunities were scarce, he took on various jobs, including social director, cab driver, speech teacher, and assistant manager at a drugstore. In New York, he found work as a sketch writer for The Steve Allen Plymouth Show and later joined the improvisational troupe The Compass Players, which later evolved into Second City.
With Compass, Berman worked alongside future stars Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Barbara Harris, developing his solo pieces and employing an imaginary telephone to replace an onstage partner. His success at Mr. Kelly's nightclub in Chicago led to national television appearances and a recording contract with Verve Records. His comedy album "Inside Shelley Berman" became the first non-musical recording to win a Grammy Award, selling over one million copies.
Berman's subsequent albums, including "Outside Shelley Berman" and "The Edge of Shelley Berman," also went gold. He appeared on numerous TV specials and variety shows, including those of Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. His success as a comedian enabled him to continue pursuing his passion for acting, with notable Broadway performances in "A Family Affair" and "The Odd Couple."
Throughout his career, Berman has made memorable appearances on various TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "Bewitched," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "Friends." He has also appeared in several films, such as "The Best Man," "Divorce American Style," and "Meet the Fockers." Berman has continued to work in film and television, making personal appearances and teaching humor writing at the University of Southern California.
