Phil Ford (comedian)
Phil Ford (June 21, 1919 – June 15, 2005) was a vaudeville performer, musician, and comedian, whose career spanned over seven decades.
Phil Ford | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo of Hines and Ford. | |
| Born | June 21, 1919 |
| Died | June 15, 2005 (aged 85) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, musician, vaudeville |
| Spouse | |
Life and career
Ford was born in San Francisco, California, on June 21, 1919.[1] He started in show business at the age of 12 and joined the Army during World War II.[2]
He met his future wife, singer and dancer Mimi Hines in 1952 and they married two years later.[1]
In 1958, they appeared on Jack Paar's Tonight Show, which helped launch their careers.[2] They also appeared as guests on the shows of Johnny Carson,[3] Ed Sullivan,[4] Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin.[5] They appeared in one film together, Saturday Night in Apple Valley in 1965.[2]
When Hines replaced Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice in the hit musical "Funny Girl" in 1965,[2] Ford was given the part of Eddie.[5]
Hines and Ford divorced in 1972 but worked together professionally several times after their divorce.[2]
Ford died of natural causes on June 15, 2005, in Las Vegas.[1]
References
- III, Harris M. Lentz (2008). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2005: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 124. ISBN 9780786452101.
- "Phil Ford, 85; Entertainer, Half of Popular Show-Biz Couple With Mimi Hines". Los Angeles Times. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- Company, Johnson Publishing (1966). Jet. Johnson Publishing Company.
- Nachman, Gerald (2009). Right Here on Our Stage Tonight!: Ed Sullivan's America. Univ of California Press. p. 222. ISBN 9780520268012.
- "Mimi Hines & Phil Ford". National Comedy Hall of Fame®. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.