Robert Schimmel: Difference between revisions
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Schimmel was arrested in [[Calabasas, California]] on May 2, 2009 as a result of an alleged confrontation between Schimmel and his wife Melissa. The district attorney eventually declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence.<ref name="moore2009">Moore, Tina (May 2, 2009). [http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/02/2009-05-02_comedian_robert_schimmel_.html Comedian Robert Schimmel, regular on Howard Stern show, arrested for allegedly beating up his wife.] ''[[New York Daily News]]''</ref> On May 8, 2009, Melissa Schimmel filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref name="ap2009">Associated Press (May 21, 2009). [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009164076_apuspeopleschimmel.html Comedian Schimmel won't face assault charges in LA.] ''[[Seattle Times]]''</ref> |
Schimmel was arrested in [[Calabasas, California]] on May 2, 2009 as a result of an alleged confrontation between Schimmel and his wife Melissa. The district attorney eventually declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence.<ref name="moore2009">Moore, Tina (May 2, 2009). [http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/02/2009-05-02_comedian_robert_schimmel_.html Comedian Robert Schimmel, regular on Howard Stern show, arrested for allegedly beating up his wife.] ''[[New York Daily News]]''</ref> On May 8, 2009, Melissa Schimmel filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref name="ap2009">Associated Press (May 21, 2009). [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009164076_apuspeopleschimmel.html Comedian Schimmel won't face assault charges in LA.] ''[[Seattle Times]]''</ref> |
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===Auto |
===Auto accident=== |
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On August 26, 2010 |
On August 26, 2010, Schimmel was involved in a serious car accident that has left him in very serious condition. Schimmel's 19-year-old daughter was driving at the time and Schimmel was in the passenger seat. Sources say his daughter swerved to avoid an accident in her lane and the car rolled over on to the side of the freeway.<ref name="young2010">Young, John (August 28, 2010). [http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/08/28/robert-schimmel-accident/ Comedian Robert Schimmel in serious condition after car accident.] ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''</ref> |
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==Works== |
==Works== |
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Revision as of 09:03, 4 September 2010
| Robert Schimmel | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert George Schimmel |
| Born | January 16, 1950 Bronx, New York |
| Died | September 3, 2010 |
| Nationality | American |
| Website | http://www.robertschimmel.com/ |
Robert George "Bob" Schimmel (January 16, 1950 – September 3, 2010) was an American stand-up comedian whose material is often X-rated and controversial. He was perhaps best known for his comedy albums and his appearances on HBO and The Howard Stern Show. Schimmel is number 76 on the 2004 program Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-Ups Of All Time.[1]
Biography
Early life and career
Schimmel was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Betty and Otto Schimmel, Jewish survivors of the Holocaust.[2] He was voted class clown during high school and was in the United States Air Force for one year during the Vietnam War.[3] A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, his career began when, at the urging of his sister, he performed at a comedy club's open-mic night. A club owner in Los Angeles offered to make him a regular, but when Schimmel moved there he found that the club had burned down.[4]
Undaunted, and with some help from Rodney Dangerfield, who invited him to perform on his HBO Young Comedians Special, Schimmel began making a name for himself.[5] He wrote material for In Living Color and for comedians such as Yakov Smirnoff and Jimmie Walker.[6]
Schimmel married his first wife, Vicki, in 1977, and they had four children together. Their son Derek died of cancer at age 11.[7] Schimmel then married his second wife, Melissa, with whom he had two sons.
Comedic style
Schimmel cited Lenny Bruce as his all-time comedy hero.[8] Schimmel incorporated any aspect of his personal life into his act, even his cancer and the death of his son. In one signature bit, Schimmel joked about making obscene suggestions to a lady from the Make-a-Wish Foundation.[6] His act was described as raunchy and sexually explicit, which he claimed is why he never appeared on netweork television.[9] He said his inappropriate comments on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Hollywood Squares got him disinvited to appear, though he later returned to O'Brien's program.[10] However, his edgy style has made him a hit on The Howard Stern Show.
Medical issues
In 1998, Schimmel suffered a heart attack, and in June 2000, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His treatments included chemotherapy and required long stays in the hospital. During one such session, his daughter Jessica brought her boss, Melissa, to visit him, and the two began an unlikely May-December romance. Schimmel's cancer went into remission, resulting in his decision to return to his wife Vicki and break off his relationship with Melissa. Schimmel later reunited with Melissa, leading to the conception of their child. Schimmel then divorced his wife Vicki and married Melissa.
During an interview on the Howard Stern show on January 28, 2010, Schimmel announced that he contracted cirrhosis as a result of a Hepatitis C infection from a blood transfusion that he received while in the Air Force. His cirrhosis had progressed to the point that he was working to be added to the waiting list for a donated liver.
2009 arrest and divorce
Schimmel was arrested in Calabasas, California on May 2, 2009 as a result of an alleged confrontation between Schimmel and his wife Melissa. The district attorney eventually declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence.[11] On May 8, 2009, Melissa Schimmel filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[12]
Auto accident
On August 26, 2010, Schimmel was involved in a serious car accident that has left him in very serious condition. Schimmel's 19-year-old daughter was driving at the time and Schimmel was in the passenger seat. Sources say his daughter swerved to avoid an accident in her lane and the car rolled over on to the side of the freeway.[13]
Works
Albums
- Comes Clean, Warner Bros. Records, 1996.
- If You Buy this CD, I Can Get this Car, Warner Bros. Records, 1998.
- Unprotected, Warner Bros. Records, 1999.
- Reserection, Warner Bros. Records, 2004.
- Life Since Then, Image Entertainment, 2009.
Book
- Cancer on Five Dollars a Day* (*chemo not included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life. Da Capo Press, 2008
References
- ^ Loughlin, Sean (November 22, 2007) Casino Scene. Press of Atlantic City
- ^ Bickley, Tami (October 8, 1999). Behind the act, comic says he's 'just a regular guy.' Jewish News of Greater Phoenix
- ^ Beggy C, Stoughton S (November 16, 2002). Letting fly some jokes; championing children; here's to tennis's bud. Boston Globe
- ^ Blowen, Michael (October 23, 1998). Schimmel gets jokes the hard way. Boston Globe
- ^ Vaughan, Robin (November 5, 1999). Comedy; Schimmel's a regular, stand-up guy. Boston Herald
- ^ a b Brownfield, Paul (October 13, 1998). Risque Business; Comic Robert Schimmel, in Brea This Week, Is Happy Being Blue. Los Angeles Times Cite error: The named reference "brownfield1998" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Dacies, Dave (January 16, 2009). Robert Schimmel, Laughing Through A Cancer Fight. Fresh Air, NPR
- ^ Rusnak, Jeff (August 27, 1998). Blue comic doesn't need Clinton gags. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
- ^ Parks, Steve (January 26, 2001). Bald Humor / Robert Schimmel, a stand-up guy, fights cancer with chemo and comedy. New York Newsday
- ^ Board, Josh (January 17, 2009). Angel at the Fence -- The Comedy of Robert Schimmel. San Diego Reader
- ^ Moore, Tina (May 2, 2009). Comedian Robert Schimmel, regular on Howard Stern show, arrested for allegedly beating up his wife. New York Daily News
- ^ Associated Press (May 21, 2009). Comedian Schimmel won't face assault charges in LA. Seattle Times
- ^ Young, John (August 28, 2010). Comedian Robert Schimmel in serious condition after car accident. Entertainment Weekly