Dick Martin
About
Biography
Biography
Over the course of his 25 years in television, comedian Dick Martin created an enviable legacy as an actor, director, and co-host of the top-rated comedy show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." Born in 1922, Martin teamed up with fellow comedian Dan Rowan in 1952, and the two played the nightclub circuit across America off and on for the next 15 years. In 1967 they were recruited by NBC to replace "The Dean Martin Show" with their own hour-long comedy program. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" featured a cast of young unknowns such as Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, and Arte Johnson. The show was fast-paced, colorful, and obviously derived from the far-out spirit of the times. Martin and Rowan played themselves off against the swinging '60s energy of the show as straight-men from another era. After "Laugh-In" went off the air in 1973, Martin appeared as a panelist on a number of celebrity-staffed comedy game shows such as "Match Game" and "Password Plus." He also started his second career as a director. He first worked with Bob Newhart in 1977 on the original "The Bob Newhart Show" and later directed 32 episodes of the very successful '80s version, "Newhart." Martin also helmed filming of "Family Ties," "Mama's Family," and "Webster." He died in Santa Monica, California, in 2008.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Cast (Special)
Producer (Special)
Misc. Crew (Short)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1952
Formed (with Dan Rowan) the comedy team Rowan and Martin, playing mostly in nightclubs at the beginning
1958
Co-starred (with Dan Rowan) in their film debut, Hal Kanter's comedy western "Once Upon a Horse..."
1962
Played the boyfriend of Lucille Ball in her comeback sitcom, "The Lucy Show" (CBS)
1968
Became well known for his role as the co-host of NBC's "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"
1977
Made his TV directing debut, directing several episodes of "The Bob Newhart Show" (CBS)
1985
Directed several episodes of the Showtime series "Brothers"
1987
Helmed episodes of the CBS sitcom "Newhart," starring Bob Newhart
1992
Guest-starred on the short-lived Newhart sitcom "Bob" (CBS) and directed several episodes
