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Milton Berle

Acting Born Jul 12, 1908 Died Mar 27, 2002 New York City, New York, USA 177 credits
177
Total Credits
1920–2023
104 Years Career Span
90
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Milton Berle (July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was an American comedian and actor born in New York City. He gained nationwide fame as the manic host of NBC’s Texaco Star Theater from 1948 to 1955, becoming the first major star of U.S. television and earning the nicknames “Uncle Miltie” and “Mr. Television.” Berle also appeared in popular programs such as The Jack Benny Program, Get Smart and The Red Skelton Show. In addition to his on‑screen work, he co‑wrote the title song for the 1940 RKO film Li’l Abner with Ben Oakland and Milton Drake. He was sometimes credited as Milton Be and died at age ninety‑three.

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Career

Career overview

Milton Berle began his career in entertainment, dabbling in songwriting, including the title song for the RKO Radio Pictures release Li'l Abner, an adaptation of Al Capp's comic strip. The film featured Buster Keaton as Lonesome Polecat.

Berle is also known for his work in television, hosting NBC's Texaco Star Theater from 1948 to 1955, becoming the first major star of US television and earning the nicknames "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television." He appeared in numerous television shows, including The Jack Benny Program, Get Smart, and The Red Skelton Show.

Milton Berle's acting credits span multiple films and television shows, with a total of 161 known credits. His extensive career in the entertainment industry has left a lasting impact on the world of television and film.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point
Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe
Starz Inside: In the Gutter
Elvis Through the Years
Pioneers of Primetime
Biography: Bob Hope: America's EntertainerElvis: Rare Moments with the King
The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years
Two Heads Are Better Than None
Television: The First Fifty YearsFunny Is MoneyLet Me In, I Hear Laughter: A Salute to the Friars Club
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Vaudeville
Kenan & Kel
Jingle Bell RockThe 100 Funniest Moments of the 20th Century: The Unexpected · Thanks
Due SouthSister, SisterBurke's LawThe CriticStorybook
The Nanny
Driving Me CrazySomething a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'
Beverly Hills, 90210The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirHappy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney YearsHelp Save Planet Earth
Going Overboard
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBCSide by SideThe Spike Jones Story
Jonathan Winters: On the LedgeIt's Howdy Doody Time: A 40-Year Celebration
MatlockTV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
Amazing StoriesTelevisionPee-wee's Big Adventure
Murder, She WroteMTV Video Music AwardsBroadway Danny Rose
Family BusinessGeorge Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show BusinessSmorgasbordAll-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
American PlayhouseFameNight of 100 StarsShowbiz Goes to WarOff Your Rocker
The Fall GuyThis Is Elvis
The Muppet MovieThe Chevy Chase National Humor Test
Old Friends... New FriendsHey AbbottSteve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy
The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat
The Muppet ShowDonny & MarieNBC: The First Fifty YearsBob Hope's World of ComedyJoys

Full Filmography

177 titles
  • It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point (2023) as Russell (archive footage)
  • Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe (2012) as Self (archive footage)
  • Starz Inside: In the Gutter (2008) as Self (archive)
  • Elvis Through the Years (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Pioneers of Primetime (2005)
  • Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer (2003) as Self
  • Elvis: Rare Moments with the King (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years (2002) as Self (archive footage)
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  • Two Heads Are Better Than None (2000) as Uncle Leo
  • Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self
  • Funny Is Money (1999) as Self
  • Let Me In, I Hear Laughter: A Salute to the Friars Club (1999) as Self
  • The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
  • Vaudeville (1997) as Self
  • Kenan & Kel (1996) as Uncle Leo
  • Jingle Bell Rock (1995) as Jerry Labello (voice)
  • The 100 Funniest Moments of the 20th Century: The Unexpected (1995) Thanks
  • Due South (1994) as Shelley Litvak
  • Sister, Sister (1994) as Edgar Boggs
  • Burke's Law (1994) as Buddy Boyle
  • The Critic (1994) as Milton Berle (voice)
  • Storybook (1994) as Illuzor
  • A Century of Cinema (1994) as Self
  • Milton Berle's Low Impact/High Comedy Workout (1994) as Self
  • The Nanny (1993) as Manny
  • Driving Me Crazy (1991) as Hotel Clerk
  • Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' (1991) as Self
  • Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as Saul Howard
  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Max Jakey
  • Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years (1990) as Self
  • Help Save Planet Earth (1990) as Self
  • Going Overboard (1989) as Himself (uncredited)
  • Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
  • Side by Side (1988) as Abe Mercer
  • The Spike Jones Story (1988) as Self
  • Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge (1987) as Jonathan's Father
  • It's Howdy Doody Time: A 40-Year Celebration (1987) as Himself
  • Matlock (1986) as Harvey Chase
  • TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines (1986) as Self
  • Amazing Stories (1985) as Self
  • Television (1985)
  • Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) as Self (uncredited)
  • Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Lew Feldman
  • MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
  • Broadway Danny Rose (1984) as Milton Berle
  • Family Business (1983) as Isaiah Stern
  • George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business (1983) as Self
  • Smorgasbord (1983) as Ms. Sultry
  • All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra (1983) as Self - Crowd Member
  • American Playhouse (1982) as Isaiah Stern
  • Fame (1982)
  • Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
  • Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as Self (archive footage)
  • Off Your Rocker (1982) as Henry Foster
  • Showbiz Ballyhoo (1982) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Fall Guy (1981)
  • This Is Elvis (1981) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • The Muppet Movie (1979) as Mad Man Mooney
  • The Chevy Chase National Humor Test (1979)
  • Old Friends... New Friends (1978) as Self
  • Hey Abbott (1978) as Self
  • Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978) as Self
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Cyril Wolfe
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Milton Berle
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Ed Taylor
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Zeke
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Lionel Douglas
  • CHiPs (1977) as Self
  • The Brady Bunch Hour (1977)
  • Have I Got a Christmas for You (1977) as Morris Glickstein
  • The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star
  • Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
  • NBC: The First Fifty Years (1976)
  • Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
  • Joys (1976) as Self
  • Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) as Blind Man
  • All This and World War II (1976) as Self
  • CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) as Self
  • Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
  • The Legend of Valentino (1975) as Jesse Lasky
  • Lepke (1975) as Mr. Meyer
  • Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television (1975) as Self (archive footage)
  • Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
  • The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
  • Journey Back to Oz (1972) as Cowardly Lion (voice)
  • Evil Roy Slade (1972) as Harry Fern
  • McCloud (1970)
  • Friars Club Roast of Don Rickles (1970) as Self
  • Love, American Style (1969) as Harry
  • Love, American Style (1969)
  • Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969) as Goodtime Eddie Filth
  • Seven in Darkness (1969) as Sam Fuller
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • Here's Lucy (1968) as Cheerful Charlie
  • Here's Lucy (1968) as Milton Berle
  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self (uncredited)
  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self
  • The Mod Squad (1968)
  • Star Spangled Salesman (1968) as Studio President
  • Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968) as The Movie Director: The 'In' Group
  • For Singles Only (1968) as Mr. Parker
  • Ironside (1967) as Ross Howard
  • Ironside (1967) Writer
  • Mannix (1967) as Danny Brite
  • The Happening (1967) as Fred
  • Who's Minding the Mint? (1967) as Luther Burton
  • Batman (1966) as Louie, the Lilac
  • Batman (1966) as Prison Guard
  • That Girl (1966)
  • The Oscar (1966) as Kappy Kapstetter
  • Murder at N.B.C. (1966)
  • Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966) as Bookstore Customer with Rope (uncredited)
  • Get Smart (1965) as Desk Clerk (uncredited)
  • I Dream of Jeannie (1965) as Charles
  • The Big Valley (1965) as Josiah Freeman
  • F Troop (1965)
  • The Loved One (1965) as Mr. Kenton
  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Sam Morris
  • It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as J. Russell Finch
  • The Sound of Laughter (1963) as Elmer Brown (Singer with Cocktail Glasses)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Lucy Show (1962) as Milton Berle
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
  • The Defenders (1961) as Denny Martin
  • The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1960) as Charlie
  • Let's Make Love (1960) as Milton Berle (uncredited)
  • The Bellboy (1960) as Milton Berle (uncredited)
  • NBC Sunday Showcase (1959) as Himself
  • NBC Sunday Showcase (1959) Executive Producer
  • Sunday Showcase (1959)
  • The Music Shop (1959)
  • Jackpot Bowling (1959) as Host
  • Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self - Host
  • Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self
  • The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
  • Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
  • The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Milton Berle
  • Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
  • The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
  • The Jimmy Durante Show (1954) as Self
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Duke No-Good
  • The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Self - Guest Host
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Morris Glickstein
  • The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self - Cameo
  • The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
  • What's My Line? (1950) as Self
  • The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
  • The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Milton Berle
  • Always Leave Them Laughing (1949) as Kipling Cooper
  • Breakdowns of 1949 (1949) as Self
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1948)
  • Texaco Star Theater (1948) as Host
  • Kraft Television Theatre (1947) as Joe Hillyer
  • Margin for Error (1943) as Moe Finkelstein
  • Over My Dead Body (1942) as Jason Cordry
  • Whispering Ghosts (1942) as H.H. Van Buren
  • A Gentleman at Heart (1942) as Lucky Cullen
  • Tall, Dark and Handsome (1941) as Frosty Welch
  • Sun Valley Serenade (1941) as Jerome K. 'Nifty' Allen
  • Rise and Shine (1941) as Seabiscuit
  • Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1 (1941) as Self
  • Hollywood Hobbies (1939) as Self (uncredited)
  • Radio City Revels (1938) as Teddy
  • New Faces of 1937 (1937) as Wallington Wedge
  • Poppin' the Cork (1933) as Elmer Brown
  • Ruth of the Range (1923) as (uncredited)
  • Tess of the Storm Country (1922) as Bit Role (uncredited)
  • Little Lord Fauntleroy (1921) as Boy (uncredited)
  • The Mark of Zorro (1920) as Boy (uncredited)
  • Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917) as Bit Part (Uncredited)
  • The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Milton Berle best known for?

Milton Berle is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Farewell, My Lovely (1975), Due South (1994), Sister, Sister (1994), Burke's Law (1994).

When and where was Milton Berle born?

Milton Berle was born on July 12, 1908 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on March 27, 2002.

How many credits does Milton Berle have?

Milton Berle has accumulated over 177 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 2023.

What is Milton Berle's background in cinema and television?

Milton Berle (July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was an American comedian and actor born in New York City. He gained nationwide fame as the manic host of NBC’s Texaco Star Theater from 1948 to 1955, becoming the first major star of U.S. television and earning the nicknames “Uncle Miltie” and “Mr. Television.” Berle also a...

Milton Berle by the numbers

177credits
95films
82TV series
1917–2023active years

Age in their best-rated roles

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