Irwin Corey
Biography
Irwin Corey was an American stand-up comic and film actor best known for his Professor persona, appearing in seedy formal wear and sneakers and delivering long, florid but authentic words that seldom made sense. He began writing and performing in the New York revue Pins and Needles in 1938, and by 1943 was appearing in New Faces of 1943 and doing stand-up at the Village Vanguard. He brought his unscripted, improvisational style to the San Francisco club the hungry i, and Lenny Bruce regarded him as among the most brilliant comedians. On Broadway he played the Genie in Flahooley in 1951 and appeared in Mrs. McThing in 1952. On television he was a character actor and frequent guest on variety and game shows, including The Steve Allen Show and The Donald O'Connor Show. A documentary about him, Irwin & Fran, whose filming began in 2009, won The People's Film Festival Best Film Award in 2013.
102years old at death
- Born Brooklyn
- Died Manhattan
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Professor Irwin Corey
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 19 years1977 to 1996
Every film, newest first
- 1996I'm Not RappaportIMDb rating 6.5
- 1996JackIMDb rating 5.8
- 1993Sex, Shock & Censorship in the 90'sIMDb rating 6.4
- 1984CrackersIMDb rating 5.2
- 1977Chatterbox!IMDb rating 5.1
Genres
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First role
Corey got a job writing and performing in the 1938 musical revue Pins and Needles, but claimed he was fired from it for his union organizing activities.
Beyond film
In 1975, Corey performed in New York City for journalists awaiting The Rolling Stones' announcement of their tour of the Americas. While the press listened to him ramble, the band played "Brown Sugar" from a flatbed truck rolling along Fifth Avenue.
Beyond film
In June 1977, Corey was hired as a spokesman for Providence television station WJAR to explain network affiliation changes, but during the commercial he wandered from his point and the set collapsed around him.
Irwin Corey movies on Netflix
Worked with
Irwin Corey made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Donald Sutherland's page
Wallace Shawn's page
Robin Williams's page
Michael McKean's page
Phil LaMarr's page
Sean Penn's page
All films by Francis Ford Coppola
Herb GardnerDirector, 1 film, 1996
All films by Herb Gardner
All films by Louis Malle
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.