Comedian and actor, born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. While attending school in the Bronx he worked as a bellhop and singer at a local bar, earning his stage name from his red hair and buttoned uniform. He began working in burlesque on Broadway, and following army service in World War 2 returned to nightclub work. In 1951 he gained some acclaim for his role in an episode of the television series Suspense, and was then given his own variety show by CBS. But his success was short-lived and his career declined until his appearance in the feature film Sayonara (1957) brought him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He gained further film and television roles, and celebrated his 60th year in show business in 1995 with a one-man show Buttons on Broadway.
| Red Buttons | |
| Born |
February 5, 1919 New York, New York, U.S. |
| Died |
July 13, 2006 Century City, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
|
Academy Awards |
Best Supporting Actor, 1957 Sayonara |
Red Buttons (February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was the stage name of American comedian and actor Aaron Chwatt. The combination of his red hair and the shiny buttoned bellhop uniform inspired orchestra leader Charles "Dinty" Moore to call him Red Buttons, the name under which he would later perform.
Later that same summer, Buttons worked on the Borscht Belt;
Career
In September 1942, Buttons at last got his Broadway debut in Vickie with Ferrer and Uta Hagen.
After the war, Buttons continued to do Broadway shows. In 1952, Buttons received his own variety series on television - The Red Buttons Show ran for three years, and achieved high levels of success. After his Oscar-winning role, Buttons performed in numerous feature films, including Hatari!, The Longest Day, Harlow, The Poseidon Adventure, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, and Pete's Dragon. He also made many memorable TV appearances on programs including It's Garry Shandling's Show, ER and Roseanne.
Personal life
From 1947 to 1951, Buttons was married to actress Roxanne Arlen, who would have been only 16 if her year of birth (1931), given by some sources, is accurate. Buttons had two children, daughter Amy Buttons Morgress and son Adam Buttons.
Buttons died of vascular disease on July 13, 2006 at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles.
By coincidence, Buttons was the subject of a Jeopardy! clue on the day that he died.
Filmography
Winged Victory (1944) 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) Footlight Varieties' (1951) Sayonara (1957) Imitation General (1958) The Big Circus (1959) One, Two, Three (1961) Hatari! (1962) Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962) The Longest Day (1962) Gay Purr-ee (1962) (voice) A Ticklish Affair (1963) Your Cheatin' Heart (1964) Up from the Beach (1965) Harlow (1965) Stagecoach (1966) The Moviemakers (1969) (short subject) They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? (1971) The Poseidon Adventure (1972) Gable and Lombard (1976) Viva Knievel! (1977) Pete's Dragon (1977) Movie Movie (1978) C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979) When Time Ran Out (1980) Alice in Wonderland (1985) 18 Again! (1988) The Ambulance (1990) It Could Happen to You (1994) The Story of Us (1999) Odessa or Bust (2001) (short subject) Goodnight, We Love You (2004) (documentary) Sid Bernstein Presents... (2005) (documentary)Awards
Academy Awards
Won:
Best Supporting Actor (Sayonara, 1958)Golden Globe Awards
Won:
Best Supporting Actor (Sayonara, 1958)Nominated:
Best Supporting Actor (Harlow, 1966) Best Supporting Actor (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, 1970)|
Preceded by: Anthony Quinn for Lust for Life |
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1957 for Sayonara |
Succeeded by: Burl Ives for The Big Country |
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