Known for his sharp-tongued comedy and rubbery facial expressions, Buddy Hackett (1924–2003) was born Leonard Hacker in Brooklyn, New York. The son of an upholsterer, he joked, “My mother’s menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it.”

After serving in World War II, Hackett rose to fame performing in the Catskills and then Las Vegas. His talent and timing made him a favorite on Broadway, television, and in film. His most beloved roles include The Music Man (1962), The Love Bug (1968), and the wild ensemble comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). Younger audiences recognize his voice as Scuttle in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (1989).

“I let it roll when I’m out there,” he told Pet Press in 2001. “I’m kind of interested myself in what I’m gonna say.”

Whether on stage or playing golf, Hackett worked hard at his craft. He poked fun at himself, saying, “I am short, round, and Jewish.”

Larry King called him “one of the funniest human beings on the planet… All he did was make you laugh.”