Known as "The Lovable Lush," comedian Foster Brooks was born 100 years ago yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky (how appropriate!) and died in 2001 in Encino, California.
Drawing partly on his own battle with the bottle, Brooks made many guest appearances on The Dean Martin Show (surprise!), but rarely drank when he was most famous. Later, he had a recurring role as Mr. Sternhagen, Mindy's boss, on Mork & Mindy.
Brooks was referred to on the 1997 Space Ghost Coast to Coast episode "SwitcherooII." He was featured in a scene that was cut before being aired, but the scene was later included on the Space Ghost Coast to Coast volume 3 DVD release.
Return To Gobotron (Challenge of the GoBots; Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1985) Brooks provides additional voices in Part 5 of this episode.
Robbut: A Tale Of Tails(CBS Storybreak; Southern Star Productions/Hanna-Barbera Australia, 1985) Brooks is in the voice cast.
Elroy In Wonderland(The Jetsons; Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1985) This was the only Jetsons episode in which Brooks was a voice cast member.
GoBots: War Of The Rock Lords(Hanna-Barbera Productions/Tonka Toys, 1986) Brooks voiced Stoneheart and Fossil Lord in this, the fifth theatrical movie for H-B.
I Think I Was An Alcoholic(1993) In this independent black and white short, cartoonist John Callahan recounts his alcoholism, a car accident that left him quadriplegic, and his subsequent sobriety. The late Callahan gives Brooks "very special thanks."
"I never drew a sober breath from Friday night to Monday. Eight years ago, I quit. Fellow made me a $10 bet I couldn't quit, and I haven't had a drink since. At the time, I needed the $10." -- Los Angeles Times interview in 1972
(This post was edited by eminovitz on May 12, 2012, 6:32 PM)
