(1946-1994)
Wikipedia Entry
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.
63 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
Does anyone recall a routine that Dennis did regarding "offensive" nicknames for college and professional sports teams? Been looking on Youtube for it but can't find it. It was very good and would like to view it again if possible. Thank you.
I saw Dennis at a comedy club in Dayton, Ohio in '92 or '93. Absolutely hilarious. Toward the end of his set, I called out to him to please do the 'circumcision' bit, which he hadn't done yet. The rest of the crowd probably thought I was a plant, but I wasn't; I'd heard him do the bit on TV, and wanted to hear it live. He launched into it, and I was literally in tears, laughing so hard. Dennis was up there with Dangerfield in terms of non-stop laugh lines and facial expressions and tics. He died way too soon....a true loss to the comedy and entertainment world.
I didn't realize he passed. I was driving home after a shitty day at work and by the time I got home I was in tears from laughing so hard.
I think of and miss him every year around this time because I recall a hilarious routine of his. He described how, as a small Jewish child, he always felt screwed over by Santa Claus. Years later he got over it when he realized Santa was just another fat, antisemitic slob.
I think of and miss him every year around this time because I recall a hilarious routine of his. He described how, as a small Jewish child, he always felt screwed over by Santa Claus. Years later he got over it when he realized Santa was just another fat, antisemitic slob.
I had the good fortune of catching one of his shows here in Raleigh, NC. I had seen him on TV numerous times, so I invited several friends to join me. Great show.
Loved watching his stand up routines. Thought he was one of all time greats and really is a forgotten gem.
As a new teacher at P.S. 71, I knew Dennis would be loads of fun immediately. The first time I met him he was holding court in the Teachers’ Room, hunched over a green flannel board, using our math chips to teach his colleagues a gambling game.
Dennis was one of the few who could play the piano, so he was recruited to provide marching music as students entered and exited the auditorium. I can’t remember his entrance music, but to this day I can still see him suppressing a grin as he hammered out his own dramatic rendition of “Exodus” – flourishes and all – as the students left the auditorium. I don’t think the kids ever got the joke, but the teachers definitely enjoyed it. Dennis was one of a kind.
Before Dennis tried his hand at stand-up, he and a small group of us went to see Johnny Carson perform at a NY arena. I thought of that as I watched Dennis’ Tonight Show debut video on You Tube. I can only imagine how he felt that day.
I do believe that Dennis taught at another school in the South Bronx, but his formative teaching years were spent at P.S. 71. Trust me. There was enough material at our school – and at every school - to fill a comedy handbook. It took a comic genius like Dennis to use the material to perfection.
He was my favorite comic of the times. I was so excited to see that he was scheduled to perform at Zanies in Nashville so I could see him live, but he died before the tickets ever were sold. He was the best!
One of the great things about cable finally coming to our rural area was that it was just in time to see the first televised war -- the first Gulf War.
The second great thing was all the standup comedy that had never been on TV before (for us, anyway). And one of the most memorable was Dennis, whom we talked about for years.
When we finally got a computer & discovered search engines, we looked for Dennis since we hadn't seen him in quite some time .... and were so sad to find he had left us. But we are grateful for the material he left for future generations to see.
Everytime I come out of a prostate exam I remember Dennis, and am SO tempted to make a remark about the Josef Mengele School of Medicine and scream, "Run, Jews, Run !!" as I enter the waiting room. Most likely only my wife would get the joke, so I restrain myself.
A very talented man that we will always remember. Surely a great epitaph for anyone.
This October 4 it will be 20 years since we lost Dennis. As his widow, I can tell you all that these posts and his being remember by so many for so long is a great comfort. He was one of a kind. His three sons are doing well. While they have had a great stepdad for 15 years, they have grown up with pictures and stories of 'Daddy Dennis'. They know they were loved and cherished by a man who was loved and cherished by others. At his funeral, his dear friend Hiram Kasten gave an inspired eulogy in which he said that Dennis took a room full of strangers and made them into friends. Watching his act made you feel you knew him (btw, all the stories are true -- exaggerated but true, even the sigmodoscopy). You did. Besides being so very funny onstage and off, he was a great friend and wonderful husband. One of his last, most generous acts was to say to me, 'if it had to be someone in our family, I'm glad it was me." He was a great man and I love him, miss him and think of him everyday. Thank you all for your memories.
Not Forgotten at all!!! I was telling a friend about a comedian from the 80's that was hilarious and had these tale about when he was trying to go to med school... funny as it gets!!! So sad he left us so soon.
To Dennis's widow...I did a lot of standup in the tri-state area and I worked with Dennis any number of times. I can honestly say that Dennis had no equal, as a comedian or as a nice guy. I have so many memories of Dennis...what a great ad-libber he was, why he told me he didn't pick on anyone in the audience, a potentially embarrassing situation in Philly that he just ran with and absolutely killed the audience...he was the best. I think of Dennis often. This is my first time on this site. I saw your comments and wanted to let you know that Dennis is not forgotten.
In the late 80s and early 90s i used to take many dates to comedy clubs. of the countless entertainers of that era i only remember two ..Larry Miller and Dennis.
Sad that so little of his work was recorded but glad that here 20 years later so many remember when so many others are long forgotten.
best wishes to his family.
He made me laugh my ass off which is more than I can say about my endoscopic doctor and almost everyone else on the planet.
Interesting that 5 years later this page is still getting comments. Dennis Wolfberg was brilliant. I was so sad when he died and every so often I have to google him to see if I can find more of his performances.
I saw a recording of 'One Night Stand' on UK TV circa late 80's - and although I was never previously into stand up comedians, Dennis Wolfberg made me laugh until I cried-
The same show is available on You Tube so when I Googled him a couple of years ago the joy of finding it and others again was truly destroyed upon learning of his passing.
Tonight I decided to watch his work again.. still laughing until it literally hurts - I have had to take a break - in which I found this tribute site.
What a genius Dennis Wolfberg was. R.I.P.
I saw Dennis walking in Raleigh. I knew exactly who he was because watched him on the comedy channel and laughed so hard had tears running down my face. Growing up with lots of celebrities I knew most did not like to be approached.
He was on the side of the trail. When I passed he knew I knew. He had that twinkle in his eyes then winked. What a funny bright spirit and such a loss to humankind! I know you still are making those in the after world laugh! You are greatly missed.
Spent time with Dennis at multiple NY comedy clubs in the early 80's. He was one of a kind! He would have us all in stitches at the bar after we all "worked it out." He was also an amazing human being with empathy for his fellow man. He helped me tremendously with my delivery which served me well on stage, as well as later in life in business. RIP Dennis from all the stage rats at Catch a Rising Star! Love you brotha!
Tony DeJoseph
Me too!! I've loved him since the 80's & 90's. My husband & I got to see & meet him. We had just had quadruplets & felt a kinship as parents of multiples. He was so gracious.
Dennis was simply the best. From everything I have heard he was a wonderful family man and was gracious to all his fans. I remember first seeing him in the 80s and my mom telling me, "This guy is so funny, you have to watch!" He told a clean, funny joke that only he could make absolutely hilarious. It's so nice that some of his material is available on the Internet (mainly YouTube). I was able to upload some clips to YouTube that I hope his many fans can enjoy (look up the username zfishman to find them). RIP, Mr. Wolfberg
I saw Dennis at a comedy club in the Hamptons, and he still is the funniest I've ever seen. I just love his delivery.
Reading about how gracious he was in person, it's no surprise that his widow is just as gracious by coming on here and sharing. Thank you.
I just finished watching him tonight on Johnny Carson - what a gem. I plan on watching him more and more.
Rest in peace, Dennis - sadly, you were taken way too soon. Thank you for bringing such joy to the world.
This guy was brilliant I watch his videos on YouTube probably once a week he tells about his wife and he in bed and his younger son crawls in and somehow is perpendicular to the two of them and he says as a family we made the letter H it's hilarious and I also wondered what ever happened to his family his wife and his 3 kids
Thanks for sharing Jeannie
Awesome jeannie
Watching every YouTube video of Dennis I can find.
Dennis had a great joke about one of his sons seeing his female cousin naked in the bathtub. He asked his mom what happened to his little cousin's "manhood," and Dennis's wife said that it was lost in a boating accident. I was young the first time I heard that joke, but I still remember and laugh at it to this day.
I think around 89-90 he did a joke about the song "Everybody Dance Now" by C&C Music Factory. He talked about how terrible music had become if that could be the number one song in the country. The joke is hard to describe on paper, but it was hysterical.
Thanks for this video of him. I seemed to remember him having a bushier mustache and "crazier" hair.
In the mid 1980's my English friend John and I saw Dennis at a small comedy club in Fort Lee, New Jersey near the George Washington Bridge. I'm quite certain it was New Year's Eve and we had decided not to brave the crowds in NYC.
We couldn't get over our good fortune at having accidentally discovered this huge talent at so unassuming a venue.
Right off the bat, Dennis talked about his eye condition and made it part of his comedic persona so that we were on his side; not pitying him, but loving him for allowing us to laugh with him. Thank you to Dennis' fellow fans and widow for sharing your great appreciation of his talent and for all our good fortune to have been in his audiences.
Carol P. West New York, New Jersey
That is what I am doing!! Brilliant comic!! He didn’t have to be off color or swear to be funny. I’m so glad to have seen him perform at Igby’s comedy club in West LA a couple years before he passed. Miss his comedy terribly!!
To Dennis Wolfberg's Wife and three son's: Dennis Wolfberg has definitely not been forgotten! Dennis had a clean act and was so funny. I love to watch standup comedians, as laughter is the best medicine. I had the privilege and pleasure to see Dennis Wolfberg live at a Joker's Comedy Club in Oklahoma City, OK. I also got to meet Dennis after his performance. I am sorry I don't remember the year. When I saw Dennis live, he told the audience that he had fallen recently and broken his hip and would be sitting during his performance. I was very sad to learn of Dennis's passing. I believe that he was one of the greatest comedians, right up at the top with the other great comedians like Robin Williams, Johnathan Winters, Richard Jenni, Phyllis Diller, Diane Ford and Jeanne Robertson, just to name a few. I tried to locate a compilation of Dennis Wolfberg's stand up comedy for quite a while. I'm glad I can still watch Dennis on YouTube. Dennis Wolfberg is gone but never forgotten!
Thank you, Panda Lady, for your sweet comments. Dennis' sons are thriving and I am well. You must have seen him in OK in 1994, the year he passed, because that is when he broke his hip (because of the cancer spreading).
He was a funny, loving and sweet man. I think of him and am so glad his memory continues to be a blessing for those of us who he made laugh.
I watched him work literally thousands of times and he always made me laugh.
My wife and I loved his comedy very much. I am so sorry for your loss.....I love watching his routines on YouTube!
I am 70 years old and I still pull up videos on YouTube. So funny,so missed. He made us all laugh so hard..I have had a bout with melanoma too,but it was caught in time.
My Husband & I saw him live in St Louis soon before his death. He was so funny! Never had we laughed so hard! He was great! When we heard he passed,we were shocked. Truly a loss !
Watched his bit on YT called “The Rigid Sigmoidoscopy” and it had me in stitches after a rather rough day. Dennis is most assuredly not forgotten!
I can't even begin to tell you how much I laughed at his skits on Carson. The high school monologue where "Dick Hurtz" is paged ( I think that's the one?) I knew he had passed away. It's been so many years but a person of this caliber is never forgotten! Just special in every way. I bet the folks in heaven are splitting their sides every day. Hope to see you one day up above Dennis... you were so loved by so many.
Does anyone know of any video of Dennis' "Boating Accident" joke? It was the first I ever saw of him years ago somewhere on cable TV. I've never forgotten that joke - nor the "Great Balls of Fire" VD clinic - because I laughed so hard I cried!
Dennis was my cousin - much older than me but we were always at his parents’ house - saw him at a couple of comedy cllubs before he made it big. So sad he died when his three sons were so young but his wife did a great job and from what it appears they are all quite happy and successful.
He was supposedly very well liked by his colleagues in the stand-up circuit
That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! That was a brilliant routine and I’ll will never forget it! I need to find a clip to share it.
I literally was trying to figure out who told the boating accident joke when I came across this. I saw it as a kid but it is still to this day my all time favorite joke.
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