Murray Langston as "The Unknown Comic"

The Unknown Comic is the stage name for American actor and stand-up comic Murray Langston, best known for his comic performances on The Gong Show, usually appearing with a paper bag over his head. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The legendary Richard Pryor hits the money line A stand-up comedian or stand-up comic is someone that performs comedy in an informal way, talking to the audience with the absence of a fourth wall. ... The Gong Show was a television variety show/game show spoof that was broadcast in first-run syndication in the United States from 1976 until 1980. ...

Langston began his career in 1970 when he appeared on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, doing impressions of a fork, a tube of toothpaste and a grandfather clock. Later, at the suggestion of Redd Foxx, he teamed with comedian Freeman King, and after appearing on several episodes of Midnight Special, they were spotted by by producers and soon became regular performers on the The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Rowan & Martins Laugh-In was a United States comedy television show broadcast for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968 through 1973 over the NBC network. ... Foxx on The Dean Martin Shows Dean Martin Celebrity Roast Redd Foxx (born John Elroy Sanford, December 9, 1922, died October 11, 1991) was an American comedian best known for his starring role on the television sitcom Sanford and Son. ... The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour was a variety show which ran on CBS from August 1971 until May 1974. ...

After over 100 appearances with Sonny and Cher, Langston to make appearances on many more series, including The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show, The Wolfman Jack Show, and The Bobby Vinton Show. The Hudson Brothers are an American music group from the 1970s, consisting of Bill Hudson, Brett Hudson and Mark Hudson. ... Robert Weston (Bob) Smith (January 21, 1939—July 1, 1995) became world famous in the 1960s and 1970s as a disc jockey using the stage name of Wolfman Jack. ... Bobby Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American pop music singer. ...

Langston also invested in a nightclub restaurant called "SHOW-BIZ", but the club closed within two years, taking his savings. Strapped for cash, he accepted an offer to appear on The Gong Show. However, he was reportedly embararrased about appearing on the show, so he put a bag over his head, memorized a few old jokes, and became "The Unknown Comic". The character was a hit, and soon developed a cult following, appearing on more than 150 Gong Show episodes. Soon, he was appearing regularly in Las Vegas and made the rounds of many popular talk and variety shows.

Langston later produced The Unknown Comedy Hour for Playboy TV, followed by The Sex and Violence Family Hour, starring a very young Jim Carrey. He also wrote the screenplays for the films Night Patrol (1984), Up Your Alley (1988), and Wishful Thinking (1997). Playboy TV is a Pay-per-view cable/satellite channel available in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland. ... Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective James Eugene Carrey (born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian-American comical actor credited and recognized as Jim Carrey. ...

In the early 1990s, Langston decided to retire from show business to concentrate on raising his daughter as a single father.

He most recently reappeared as The Unknown Comic in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and is reportedly writing a book. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a 2002 drama film directed by George Clooney. ...

External links

• Murray Langston at the Internet Movie Database