Oscar winning comedian Red Buttons dies at 87.
The carrot-topped burlesque comedian who became a top star in early television and then won a 1957 Oscar with a surprising dramatic turn in “Sayonara,” died Thursday.
Buttons died of vascular disease at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles, publicist Warren Cowan said. He had been ill for some time, and was with family members when he died, Cowan said.
Buttons’ Academy Award led to other films, both dramas and comedies. They included “Imitation General,” “The Big Circus,” “Hatari!” “The Longest Day,” “Up From the Beach,” “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” “The Poseidon Adventure,” “Gable and Lombard” and “Pete’s Dragon.”
“He proved it was no accident by winning an Oscar that comedians can be in movies,” said fellow legendary comedian Jack Carter. “He was more than a comedian, he was a wise man.”
I remember Red most from “The Poseidon Adventure”. In fact, he kinda bugged me in that role. Actually, it was probably the over-acting of the entire cast that irked me, not just Red. I did find it a little unconvincing that he could keep his bow tie completely straight during the entire movie, given the situation.
Goodbye Red.
