Jack Carter Dead; Comedian Was 93

Jack Carter, a comedian and frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show, has passed away.

The Broadway, film and TV star died of respiratory failure on Sunday at his home in Beverly Hills, Variety confirms. He was 93.

Carter’s entertainment career spanned over seven decades. He was well-known for hosting Cavalcade of Stars in 1949 and went on to have his own show, The Jack Carter Show, lasted for three years as part of NBC’s Saturday Night Review. After the cancellation of his own show, Carter remained a popular guest on TV programs including Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Bob Hope Show, but he never helmed his own network series again. 

NEWS: Dick Van Patten dies at 86

“Maybe I come on too strong,” he admitted in 1963, per the U.K.’s Telegraph. “Directors and producers fear you when you come on strong. They’re afraid they may not be able to control you.”

Carter appeared in over 35 movies throughout his career, including 1964’s Viva Las Vegas, 1977’s The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington and 1989’s Caged Fury. His numerous television appearances included recent work on shows including Desperate Housewives, Monk, iCarly, Parks and Recreation, Family Guy, New Girl and most recently in 2014, several appearances on Shameless. Carter also worked as a director on two episodes of Lucille Ball‘s series Here’s Lucy.

The Brooklyn-born comic is survived by his wife Roxanne, his sons Michael Carter and Chase Carter, his daughter Wendy Carter and his grandchildren, Jake and Ava.