(1946-1994)
Wikipedia Entry
If this were a just world, Dennis Wolfberg would have become renowned as one of the greatest standup comedians ever. Unfortunately, this isn't a just world.
Wolfberg grew up on Long Island* and started out as a teacher in the south Bronx. That gave him plenty of material, and he soon moved into standup, eventually doing it full time in 1979, with hilarious results.
He achieved great success, appearing on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman and having his standup act on TV and HBO specials.
Wolfberg had a unique style. He would speak rapidly, setting up the joke, and then punch it home. The jokes were funny, no doubt, but his delivery of them is what made them really work. He always knew exactly what word to stress in order to get the most of a line. He also looked funny, with bulging eyes** and a way of holding his mic in two hands as though he were praying.
Here is an example (Wolfberg appears 30 seconds in).
But these sort of appearances are just too ephemeral to develop a lasting reputation. Wolfberg didn't do a comedy album, since no one did comedy albums in the 80s. He didn't have his own sitcom (though he tried). The only non-standup TV role of note was the character of Gushie in Quantum Leap, a role that really gave him nothing to do.
Wolfberg kept trying. He came close with a pilot about a teacher, but nothing came of it. Then, sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer in the early 90s. Though he continued to work, both on stage and developing TV pilots, he died in 1994.
Wolfberg is highly regarded in the world of comedians, and it's sad that there is so little of his work available. But all of it is first class.
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*As a native Long Islander myself, two things always irritate me when Long Island is mentioned. First is the "Lon Guyland" accent, which was not at all how anyone spoke where I grew up. Second is related: Long Island is a big place -- 80 miles long. Yet no one differentiates between Nassau County and Suffolk, between Huntington and Valley Stream and Southampton and Southold, all quite different. Saying someone came from Long Island is like saying he came from Connecticut. Where?
**Not up to Marty Feldman level, but still impressive, partly because he would often shut his eyes, letting them bulge out at the punch line.
22 comments:
I didn't realize he had died (and so long ago). A hilarious comic, and you're right: great but forgotten.
I didn't realize he had died either. From his act I gather that he had three sons and was married. A real shame on many levels.
Wow, what a gift you have provided. A memory of a most unique and gifted comedian, with the best eyes in the history of the art. I hope one day to find a collection of all the videos made of the GREAT Dennis Wolfberg
Dennis Wolfberg was a truly hilarious comedian and I would really love to see more clips posted. His routine on "Little League" was my all-time favorite...
My father and I recite his routines to this day and we remember him as a truly gifted entertainer.
The world became a much less funny place when he passed away. Thanks for posting this well-deserved tribute to him.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this guy. While sitting here at home tonight, Dennis ran across my thoughts for some unknown reason...so I googled his name and watched old footage and read this post as well. I remember watching him on Carson & Letterman as a boy in the 70's & 80's and thought he was the GREATEST I'd seen...along with Steve Martin of course.
We'll always miss you Dennis. You were the best!
OMG! I LOVED Dennis Wolfberg!I had no idea he died!...I did wonder what had become of him though...HE WAS HILARIOUS!!!! Rest in peace Dennis!
I knew Dennis in the late sixties when he was a teacher at P. S. 71 in The Bronx. The Northeast Bronx -- NOT -- the South Bronx. He never taught in a "tough" school -- but, give him credit -- the South Bronx had more laugh potential. I directed him in "The Pied Piper" in which he had the title role. He was energetic but lacking in talent then. I purchased magic tricks for him at Al Flosso's magic shop in NYC and taught him how to do magic tricks (which I learned from Flosso). I was surprised at the success he later had -- but only because when I knew him he was 22 - 23 and hadn't worked on his craft. His name popped up in a joke book I was reading tonight and it brought back old memories.
What a loss his death was and is! Dennis brought laughter and sunshine into the world. I miss him now and I'm glad I saw him. Once seen, always remembered.
Fantastic talent. A true original. A tragic loss.
What an original talent and not ladened with every 4 letter word available, he was on a level of his own. The first time I saw him I laughed until it hurt /// Thank you Dennis for the laughs and we'll see you in the big comedy club in the sky /// Victor
Dennis was all a comedian could ever be: hilarious lines, frenetic delivery, and a wonderful grasp of the comedic elements of English. Modern 'comedians' should invest in studying his wit and timing, as he was one of the best. Believe it or not, his punchlines about his school "being the only school to have a morgue" was something I cried with laughter about until I became a teacher. Not a day goes by that Dennis' lines are not lost to any in the teaching profession, and often are the only humorous words shared by a former colleague
that helps us cope through the day. Dennis, I love you, I miss you, and thanks for all the jokes.
I saw Dennis Wolfberg at Rascals in West Orange in the early '80s and always remember him as one of the funniest guys ever. His timing was impeccable. I always include him on my list of top 10 favorite comedians.
Does anyone know where on LI he came from?
What HS did he go to?
A local radio DJ played a recording of Dennis during the drive home one afternoon. I was laughing so hard, I had to pull over until it was over. I also had the great pleasure to see him perform in person. The man was HILARIOUS. What a terrible loss.
I knew Dennis when he was a teacher ad was perfecting his craft. He would teach all day, take a nap and ten work the NYC comedy clubs till early in the morning. He didn't learn how to be funny; he was born funny. I attended many of his shows and never before or after saw a comedian kill like he did I truly believe had he not been taken from us so young that he would have been one of the brightest stars in comedy today.
You know this is truly unbelievable. I just saw his "One Night Stand" show on cable the other day and I had a moment when I asked myself where is he now. Something told me to google Mr. Wolfberg and I discover he has been deceased for a few years now. What a sad day. I had no idea. Soooo much talent. And I always wondered why he didn't go further in his career and now I know why. I pray he's in Heaven still making people laugh. He had such a gift and he was so natural about it. A real class act.
I remember seeing Wolfberg on late night TV, and HBO, and laughing until I cried. His bris routine was great. I saw him at a comedy club, and asked for his autograph afterwards. He was so humble about it. Just a class act all around.
He was my favorite comedian EVER....very intelligent humor with a great delivery. Loved his one man show on HBO. Sadly he died of melanoma
I have only seen him in his brief quantum leap apprentices, I carnt explain it but after I watched this quantum leap epesode with him in it something just made me think to search for information about him , then I found out he had died and it made me feel sad , especially when I found out how and at what age .
I realy want to see more of his work now there is just something different about him. It's is such a shame he passed away like that rip Mr. Wolfberg never going to be forgoten :(
He was my 5th grade teacher at P.S. 71 in the northeast Bronx. I guess saying he taught in the south Bronx gave him some street cred. I liked him as a teacher but I don't remember him as being bug-eyed or particularly funny.
I was shocked the night my friend called me and told me that Mr. Wolfberg was going to be on The Tonight Show or Letterman, I can't quite remember. I moved to L.A. in the late seventies and on one night he was performing at one of the local comedy clubs. So, I went to see his act. He was pretty damn funny.
We chatted for a while after the show. He was very gracious and even remembered a few things that had happened in our class. It's too bad he had to leave us at such an early age.
Cheers, Mr. Wolfberg.
I am helping my 21 year old son pack and we are talking about his Daddy Dennis so I poked around the internet and found this sight. It is so heart-warming to read that people still think about our Dennis and remember how truly funny he was. His sons and I (the boys are all doing well - are 26 and 21 year old twins who are in college) think of him and talk about him all the time. He loved making people laugh, loved his family and was a beloved friend to all who knew him. He was fun and funny off stage and brilliant on stage. He died of melanoma, so in his honor, go get your moles check. With appreciation, his wife, Jeannie
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