George Hopkins (comedian)

From there he started to work in a lot of New York theaters, The Jefferson 14th Street Theater, theaters in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Then he appeared at the Palace Theater on 46th and Broadway.

George Hopkins died February 28, 2011, at his home in Miami, Florida. He was 83.

Hopkins was diagnosed with untreatable cancer in 1995 at age 69 and was given a year to live. Three years after his cancer diagnosis he lost his sight.

In 1965, Hopkins returned to network television on The Les Crane Show, Omnibus, The Ed Sullivan Show and Chance of a Lifetime w/ Dennis James to name a few.

In 1961, he performed for a short time as drummer/stand-up comedian for The Ventures. The Ventures were famous for their signature song "Walk, Don’t Run", which eventually sold over two million copies, along with an unprecedented one million album sales each year from 1961 through 1966.

Then in 1953 Herb Marx sent him to perform at the Beverly Hills, California venue, Ye Little Club.

In 1952 NBC signed Hopkins to a 5-year contract starting out at $2500 a week. The producer who set up the contract was Joe Bigelow. Hopkins’ first NBC appearance under contract was on a spectacular with Beatrice Lillie, Gordon Jenkins and his orchestra, 23 dancers and was hosted by George Abbott.

Herb Marx had offices across West 57th Street from Carnegie Hall and in Miami Beach, Florida. In December 1952 Marx sent George Hopkins to the Eden-Roc Hotel in Miami Beach where he opened for Billy Daniels. Then he went into the Olympia Theater where he was the comedian who shared billing with Rosemary Clooney and Buddy Rich. Later he played The Caribe Theater with Tony Martin, The Americana Hotel with Vaughn Monroe, Sans Souci Hotel Miami with Lena Horne and The Nicholas Brothers, Hopkins was the comedian. He also played The Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida with Tony Bennett.

Hopkins’ first professional gig was in 1946 at Jerry's Café in West Philadelphia in the back room of the local bar. Seating capacity was about 60 the band was a blind organ player. He did one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night; Hopkins was paid $35 for both nights.

George Hopkins (July 3, 1928 – February 28, 2011) was an American comedian and musician.

George Hopkins was born July 3, 1928, in Manayunk, Philadelphia, to Ruth and John Hopkins Sr. He was of half Welsh and half Polish ancestry. He was the youngest of five children, three sisters and a brother. When Hopkins was 16 he lied about his age and enlisted in the United States Navy and served in World War II in the Pacific Theatre.