Eddie Lawrence papers, 1948-1999

Eddie Lawrence was a comedian, writer, and artist. He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1919. Lawrence began his career at the Radio City Music Hall and the Roxy Theater, where he wrote and directed comedy sketches. He was drafted into World War II, where he wrote and directed a series of live shows for American and British troops. Once he left the war in 1945, Lawrence collaborated with John Marley to create the radio show “Lawrence and Marley”. Lawrence then introduced the character “The Old Philosopher” on the Steve Allen Sunday Show, which went on to become his most popular and recognizable character. Lawrence moved to Paris, where he studied painting under Fernand Leger, producing art under his birth name Lawrence Eisler, while also continuing to write plays as Eddie Lawrence. He returned to America to write and perform in a series of comedy shorts for Paramount and the Victor Borge television show. Lawrence recorded nine comedy albums. On Broadway, he appeared in “Bells Are Ringing” and “Sherry.” Lawrence also wrote the original book and lyrics for “Kelly”, a controversial musical theater play, in the 1960s.