David Frye

David Frye (né David Shapiro)
David Frye featured on his album, "Richard Nixon- A Fantasy"
Born	November 21, 1933 Brooklyn, New York
Died	January 24, 2011(2011-01-24) (aged 77) Las Vegas, Nevada
Notable works and roles	"Richard Nixon, A Fantasy"

David Frye (born David Shapiro; November 21, 1933 – January 24, 2011^[1] ) was an American comedian, specializing in comic imitations of famous political figures, most of which were based on notable Americans including, former U.S. Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard M. Nixon, Senators Hubert Humphrey and Bobby Kennedy, as well as film celebrities, e.g., Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, and Jack Palance.

However, as eerily accurate and subtle as his impersonations were, the comedic narratives spoken by those depicted via Frye were outrageously à propos as well as politically savvy and temporal. ^[2][3] For example, in one narrative, Frye had newly-elected Nixon and his wife visit the White House just prior to assuming residency there in 1969. The incumbent Johnson answers the doorbell, oblivious as to the identity of his unannounced visitors, misidentifying them even after introductions have been made:

JOHNSON [doorbell] "I'll get it, Lady Bird! Who's there?"
NIXON "It's Dick and Pat."
JOHNSON [shouting back information] "It's Pick 'n Pat!"
NIXON "No, it's Dick and Pat: The President Elect...and Mrs. Elect."
JOHNSON "I understand. [shouting back] Company, Lady Bird! Beautify yourself!"

Another, from a February 1971 appearance on NBC'S Kraft Music Hall, had him appear in two segments. In the first, he portrayed Humphrey as a drug store owner being interviewed by show host Eddy Arnold. The latter segment had Frye impersonating Nixon, William F. Buckley, Jr., George Jessel, Truman Capote and Liberace at a Valentine's Day party.^[4]

In 1973, Frye's album, "Richard Nixon: A Fantasy," which dealt with Nixon's Watergate troubles, developed marketing problems when all three network affiliates in New York City (WNBC-TV, WABC-TV and WCBS-TV) rejected commercials promoting the album, citing questions of taste. In addition, the Woolworth's department store chain decided not to stock the record because, in their words, "some of our customers might be offended."^[5]

Death

David Frye died at his home of cardiopulmonary arrest according to the Clark County Coroner.^[6][7]

Discography

As featured artist:

• Clinton: An Oral History (1998)
• Frye Is Nixon (1996)
• David Frye Presents The Great Debate (1980)
• Richard Nixon: A Fantasy (1973)
• Richard Nixon Superstar (1971)
• Radio Free Nixon (1971) (re-released in compilation 2006)
• I Am The President (1969) (re-released in compilation 2006)

As player:

• Bob Booker & George Foster Present The New First Family, 1968: A Futuristic Fairy Tale (1966)

Impersonated public figures

• Spiro Agnew
• Muhammed Ali
• John B. Anderson
• Humphrey Bogart
• Marlon Brando
• David Brinkley
• Tom Brokaw
• Pat Buchanan
• William F. Buckley, Jr.
• Raymond Burr
• Richard Burton
• Jimmy Cagney
• Truman Capote
• Al Capp
• Jimmy Carter
• Bill Clinton
• Howard Cosell
• Walter Cronkite
• Richard J. Daley
• Sammy Davis, Jr.
• Bob Dole
• Kirk Douglas
• William Fulbright
• Henry Fonda
• Al Gore
• Billy Graham
• Hubert Humphrey
• Wolfman Jack
• Jesse Jackson
• Peter Jennings
• Georgie Jessel
• Lyndon Johnson
• Boris Karloff
• Bobby Kennedy
• Ted Kennedy
• Larry King
• Henry Kissinger
• James Mason
• George McGovern
• John McLaughlin
• Ed Muskie
• Jack Nicholson
• Richard Nixon
• Jack Palance
• Gregory Peck
• Ross Perot
• Dan Rather
• Ronald Reagan
• Don Rickles
• Pat Robertson
• Nelson Rockefeller
• George C. Scott
• O.J. Simpson
• Rod Steiger
• David Susskind
• Jimmy Swaggart
• George Wallace
• Walter Winchell

References

1. ^ "David Frye, Nixon impressionist, dies at 77". EW. 29 January 2011. http://news-briefs.ew.com/2011/01/29/david-frye-nixon-dies/. Retrieved 29 January 2011. 
2. ^ http://www.s9.com/Biography/David-Frye
3. ^ http://music.msn.com/music/artist/david-frye/
4. ^ (http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_fAqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1934,1452292&dq=david-frye&hl=en)
5. ^ (http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lrUlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mvMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1007,961436&dq=david-frye&hl=en)
6. ^ New York Times: "David Frye, Perfectly Clear Nixon Parodist, Dies at 77", January 29, 2011.
7. ^ Mark Evanier: "David Frye, R.I.P.", January 29, 2011.

External links

• Obituary David Frye - New York Times
• David Frye's YouTube channel
• Extensive history from liner notes of the recording I Am the President/Radio Free Nixon
• David Frye at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Frye, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 31, 1934
Place of birth	Brooklyn, New York
Date of death	January 24, 2011
Place of death	Las Vegas, Nevada