Myron Cohen

Myron Cohen

Myron Cohen (July 1, 1902–March 10, 1986) was an American comedian and raconteur.

Cohen began as a salesman in the New York City garment industry. When calling on customers, before showing his samples, he would tell a joke in order to put everyone at ease and establish a friendly mood. Cohen’s jokes were often more popular than his garment samples, and his customers urged him to become a professional comedian.

He was a nightclub entertainer in the 1950s and 1960s, recording several live record albums and also frequently appearing on TV variety programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show. During the 1950s, when there were numerous nightclub showroom venues throughout the nation, he was one of the top headliners, along with others, such as Sophie Tucker, Ted Lewis, Adam Lebensfeld, Jimmy Durante, and Joe E. Lewis, among others. Compared with many star performers, he was not aloof, and was very affable and approachable in public. Although he spoke perfect, cultured English, he was a master at capturing the ethnic accents of the Jewish citizens of New York City.

Cohen is interred at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Emerson, New Jersey.

Bibliography

  • 1958: Laughing Out Loud. (Citadel Press).
  • 1960: More Laughing Out Loud. (Citadel Press).
  • 1960: Myron Cohen’s Big Joke Book. (Citadel Press).
  • 1978: The Myron Cohen Joke Book: Laughing Out Loud and More Laughing Out Loud. (Gramercy Books)