One-of-a-kind nightclub comedian and singer Dick Shawn, born Richard Schulefand, was a true original, a master of the unconventional, and a performer who defied categorization. Ahead of his time, he was a puzzle that many found difficult to solve, his eclectic talents and offbeat style making him a acquired taste for some.
Shawn's rise to prominence began in the 1950s and 1960s, during the be-bop era, as he honed his skills playing cool cats, a persona that would become a hallmark of his career. He made a brief foray into film stardom, starring as a hip, laid-back genie in the forgettable satire The Wizard of Baghdad (1960),but it was his smaller, more nuanced roles that showcased his true potential.
One of his most memorable performances was opposite Ernie Kovacs in Wake Me When It's Over (1960),where he played a hustling soldier out to make a buck in the Far East. He also stole scenes in the all-star epic comedy It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) and later replaced Zero Mostel in the bawdy musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on Broadway.
However, it was his mock portrayal of a singing Adolf Hitler in the show-within-a-movie The Producers (1968) that truly showcased his unique talents. In this iconic role, Shawn sang the absurdly narcissistic song "Love Power," a performance that would become a defining moment in his career.
Despite his occasional forays into film, Shawn's true calling was as a stage performer, where he could showcase his innovative wit and eclectic talents. His one-man stage shows, which combined songs, sketches, satire, philosophy, and pantomime, were a huge hit, and his touring show "The Second Greatest Entertainer in the World" was a particular standout.
During his stage shows, Shawn would often incorporate unexpected elements, such as lying still on the stage floor during intermission, a move that was met with both confusion and laughter from the audience. Tragically, it was during one of these performances, at the University of California at San Diego in 1987, that Shawn suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving behind a legacy as a truly one-of-a-kind performer.
