Comedian Rip Taylor Dead at 84
Comedian Rip Taylor, whose myriad TV credits include dozens of appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Mike Douglas Show, died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Taylor was the self-proclaimed “King of Confetti.” He was known for dousing his audience with colorful streamers at all of his performances.
He racked up over 2,000 (!) small-screen credits over a career that spanned six decades. Guest spots included Brotherly Love, George Lopez, Life With Bonnie, The Monkees, The Naked Truth, Santa Barbara, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Will & Grace.
Taylor also had a lengthy voiceover resume, which boasted episodes (and various TV-movies) of such iconic properties as The Addams Family, DuckTales, The Flintstones, Garfield, The Jetsons, Popeye and Scooby Doo.
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Over the years, his brand of over-the-top, self-deprecating humor made him a favorite on the talk- and game-show circuits. He appeared on The Gong Show, Hollywood Squares, The Joey Bishop Show, Match Game, The Merv Griffin Show and Password. He also hosted The $1.98 Beauty Show, a parody of beauty pageants where the winner received a bouquet of rotten vegetables.
On the big screen, Taylor was seen in the first three Jackass movies, as well as Wayne’s World 2.
Taylor’s passing was first confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
I was JUST watching episodes of The Brady Bunch Hour this morning, thinking about how he was still with us…
Another name of the 70s off to that great Match Game in the sky.
Damn. He lived a long life but still sad that he’s now gone. I’m a little too young to know of his late night and game show appearances but as mentioned in the article he was on so many television shows I’ve watched over the years. Loved his sense of humor and DGAF attitude. The wig, the mustache, and the confetti are iconic. The world is a little less cheerful now.
I remember him! Aw that’s sad. RIP.
I worked with him several years ago. He was very sweet and quiet off camera. When the red light when on, he lit up and was hilarious. He told me it bothered him that he was always confused with Rip Torn who we, ironically, lost this year as well this year.
He was in the unusual situation of being a star without actually starring in anything. His appearances tended to be guest appearances and supporting roles.
He was that good :)