Shecky Greene, legendary Las Vegas headliner, dead at 97

Veteran comic Shecky Greene, who redefined stand-up comedy in Las Vegas and was known for his elegant appearance and adept crowd work, passed away at 97. According to his widow, Greene died of natural causes at his Las Vegas home on Sunday. Speaking about their marriage, Marie Musso Greene recalled the joy her late husband brought into their lives through his humor. Howard Rapp, his representative, lamented the loss of the brilliant comedian whose career spanned over seven decades.

Born on April 8, 1926, as Fred Sheldon Greenfield in Chicago, Greene served in the navy during the Second World War. He originally aspired to become a gym teacher but life led him to perform in nightclubs instead. It was with future co-founder of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Sammy Shore, that Greene developed his passion for comedy. He moved to Vegas in 1953, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Greene had the honor of introducing Elvis Presley to the Vegas scene in 1956 and also served as the opening act for Frank Sinatra, with whom he shared a complicated relationship. Despite his successes, he admitted to grappling with stage fright, mental health issues, and alcoholism. Greene also held a notable television career, guest-hosting "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and appearing in various film and television projects. In 2020, he was inducted into the National Comedy Hall of Fame.

Since his passing, fans have been expressing their condolences on social media. Greene's widow confirmed there will be no public celebration of his life. He is survived by two adopted daughters, two nieces, and a nephew.