Robert Schimmel
| Robert Schimmel | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert George Schimmel |
| Born | January 16, 1950 Bronx, New York |
| Died | September 3, 2010 (aged 60) Scottsdale, Arizona |
| 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 was often X-rated and controversial.[1] 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.[2]
Early life and career
Schimmel was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Betty and Otto Schimmel, Jewish survivors of the Holocaust.[3] He was voted class clown during high school and was in the United States Air Force for one year during the Vietnam War.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6] He wrote material for In Living Color and for comedians such as Yakov Smirnoff and Jimmie Walker.[7]
Schimmel married his first wife, Vicki, in 1977, and they had four children together. Their son Derek died from cancer at the age of 11.[8] Schimmel later divorced and remarried, having two sons with his second wife, Melissa.
Comedic style
Schimmel cited Lenny Bruce as his all-time comedy hero.[9] 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.[7] His act was described as raunchy and sexually explicit, which he claimed as the reason he never appeared on network television.[10] He said his inappropriate comments on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Hollywood Squares got him disinvited, though he later returned to O'Brien's program.[11] However, his edgy style has made him a hit on The Howard Stern Show.
2009 arrest and divorce
Schimmel was arrested in Calabasas, California on May 2, 2009 as a result of an alleged confrontation between himself and his wife Melissa. The district attorney eventually declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence.[12] On May 8, 2009, Melissa Schimmel filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[13]
Auto accident and death
On August 26, 2010, while travelling on Arizona State Route 101 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Schimmel was involved in a major car accident that left him in a very serious condition. Schimmel's 19 year old daughter Aliyah was driving with her father and brother. Police reported that she was run off the road by an out-of-control SUV and lost control of the vehicle which rolled over a concrete embankment.[14][15] It came to a stop on its side on the shoulder of the freeway. Aliyah Schimmel was hospitalized and is in stable condition. Schimmel’s son was not injured.[16]
On September 3, 2010, Schimmel died of his injuries.[17] He was survived by five of his children.
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
- ^ Wilson, Eric (September 4, 2010). Robert Schimmel, 60, Provocative Comic, Dies. New York Times
- ^ 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 & Stoughton (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 L.A." Seattle Times
- ^ Quizon, Derek (September 4, 2010). Scottsdale comedian Robert Schimmel dies after car accident. Arizona Star
- ^ Young, John (August 28, 2010). Comedian Robert Schimmel in serious condition after car accident. Entertainment Weekly
- ^ "Comedian Robert Schimmel dies after car accident in Arizona". Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
- ^ "Comedian Robert Schimmel Dies After Car Accident". ABCnews. September4, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
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External links
- Robert Schimmel.com
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