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Lenny Bruce

Oct 13, 1925 - Aug 03, 1966 (40 years old) in Mineola, New York, USA

Leonard Alfred Schneider, better known by his stage name Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, and satirist. He was renowned for his open, free-style and critical form of comedy which integrated satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity. Branded a "sick comic", Bruce was essentially blacklisted from television, and when he did appear these performances was facilitated by fans like Hugh Hefner and Steve Allen. In 1951, Bruce met Honey Harlow, a stripper from Manila, Arkansas. They were married that same year, and Bruce was determined she would end her work as a stripper. Throughout the final decade of his life, Bruce was beset by severe drug addiction.

Known For

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The Steve Allen Show
Self
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Dynamite Chicken
Self (archive footage)
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The Last Laugh
Self
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Dream Follies
Willie / The Foreign Chef
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Playboy's Penthouse
Self
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Dance Hall Racket
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Lenny Bruce: Without Tears
Self (archive footage)
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The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts
Self (archive footage)
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Live at Mister Kelly's
Self (archive footage)
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Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth
Self (archive footage)

Credits