The Wonderful Life of Bert Lahr

The life & times of the Cowardly Lion:Bert Lahr

Bert Lahr was born on August 13, 1895 in Yorkville, NY. His parents were poverty stricken Jewish German immigrants. Irving Lahrheim was his natural name. Lahr dropped out of school at an early age. He learned by taking in vaudeville shows, and quickly began singing on the streets with friends. Lahr's became known for singing in a low baritone. Lahr's forte became portraying comedic roles in Burlesque shows. After a string of great comedic performances, Bert was discovered by producer Blutch Cooper. The producer put Lahr in The Best Show in Town . Lahr was able to hone his comedic timing during this show.

Lahr's career really took off in 1927 when went to Broadway, with a part in Harry Delmar's Revels. Lahr spent the next years of his life acting on Broadway in shows such as Life Begins At 8:30 and Scandals. Lahr was now beginning to tire of Broadway. In 1938 Bert Lahr was headed to Hollywood.

Lahr's Hollywood career began with roles in Zaza and Just Around the Corner with Shirley Temple. In 1939 Lahr landed the role that would he forever be remembered for. Bert Lahr landed the role of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. The role gave Lahr a perfect chance to showcase his comedic gifts, and audiences loved him.

Lahr's movie career never really took off after the Wizard of Oz, so he turned his focus to theater. He earned praise for his role on the stage as Estragon in Waiting for Godot. While the play wasn't very popular, Lahr was certainly a standout performer.

Bert Lahr died on Dec. 4, 1967. He was 75 years old. In a fitting end, his role in the film was that of a comic in a burlesque show.

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Bert Lahr was one of many old time celebrities that would visit the famous Stork Club in New York City. To learn more about the Stork Club and the other href="http://www.storkclub.com/celebrities-at-the-stork-club.html">vintage celebrities that went there, head over to www.storklcub.com.