add another star to sky: Rickie Layne has died at 81

Post by **tamra** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:45 pm

I don't remember much about him because that show was before my time, but I remember hearing things about him growing up.

Ventriloquist Rickie Layne dies at 81

February 26, 2006

LOS ANGELES --Rickie Layne, a ventriloquist who frequently appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with his Yiddish-accented dummy Velvel, has died at the age of 81.

Layne died Feb. 11 of heart failure at Tarzana Hospital, family members said.

Singer Nat "King" Cole discovered Layne in 1955 at Ciro's nightclub on the Sunset Strip and urged Sullivan to put the act on his popular Sunday night variety show.

Cole even made an unusual guarantee: if Layne bombed, Cole would appear on the show for free.

Layne made his Sullivan debut on Jan. 1, 1956, and returned several dozen times. Sullivan was such a fan that he often got into the act himself, serving as straight man for the dummy that called the typically stone-faced host "Ed Solomon."

During one appearance, Sullivan told Velvel that he had bought him a dog as a gift, but Velvel said he hated dogs.

"I used to be a tree!" Velvel explained.

Layne's Sullivan show appearance increased demand for him at clubs across the country, including venues in New York, Chicago, Miami Beach and Las Vegas. In 2002, the International Ventriloquist Association gave him a lifetime achievement award.

He was born Richard Israel Cohen, the son of Russian immigrants. His mother was a popular vaudeville comic billed as Gypsy Sonya. Layne began entertaining at age 9 and toured as a ventriloquist in his teens.

His wife of 56 years, LaRue, died in 2002. Layne is survived by three daughters and four granddaughters.

Post by **bcddjjsc690** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:11 pm

tamra,
unlike all the other entertainers who have gone up to that big spotlight in the sky this week .........

never hoiyd of 'em....

Post by **tamra** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:22 pm

bcddjjsc690,

yeah he's like really, really ol school from an "original" era -- pre color TV

but thought it was worth mentioning since it's falls into that major era when television took off.

I don't remember him much myself, just the name popping up during Ed Sullivan convos.

Post by **bcddjjsc690** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:33 pm

tamra,
I remember a lot from the sullivan show , and I just googled his picture , but I can't say I recognize him , But I do believe you when you say " he dead " . And I didn't even see your lips move .