Morey Amsterdam
Biography
Morey Amsterdam, born in Chicago in 1908, worked in show business as a comedian, writer, actor and producer. He entered vaudeville in 1922, playing straight man to his older brother, and played cello throughout his career. He hosted his own sitcom, The Morey Amsterdam Show, between 1948 and 1950, and in 1950 briefly led NBC's Broadway Open House, an early late-night comedy-variety program. His best-known part was Buddy Sorrell, the comedy writer on The Dick Van Dyke Show, from 1961 to 1966, a role suggested by his friend Rose Marie. On film he appeared in Machine-Gun Kelly (1958), the noir Murder, Inc. (1960), two Beach Party movies, and The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968). He also wrote screenplays and produced television, among them Can You Top This.
87years old at death
- Born Chicago
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
- Moritz Amsterdam (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 18 years1958 to 1976
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Big break
Amsterdam's friend Rose Marie suggested him for the role of comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the part that became his best-known.
A first
Amsterdam had a short stint in 1950 as host of Broadway Open House, a comedy-variety program on NBC that was television's first late-night entertainment show. Its success showed what late-night TV could do and paved the way for The Tonight Show.
Behind the camera
Amsterdam wrote lyrics for The Dick Van Dyke Show theme song that were never aired, but Dick Van Dyke later performed them in concert and on NPR in 2010.
A change of course
Amsterdam was vice president of American International Pictures, the studio behind the Beach Party movies in which he played Cappy, the local nightclub owner.
Morey Amsterdam movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Rudolph's Shiny New Year1976 Adventure, Animation, Comedyas One Million (O.M)
IMDb rating 6.65.1K votes
- Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol1962 Animation, Comedy, Dramaas Brady / Jamesvoice
IMDb rating 7.63.7K votes
Most often with
Abe Levitow directed two of these films, William Asher two. Paul Frees appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Paul Frees's page
John Ashley's page
Annette Funicello's page
Frankie Avalon's page
Jody McCrea's page
Dick Dale's page
Abe LevitowDirector, 2 films, 1962
All films by Abe Levitow
William AsherDirector, 2 films, 1963 to 1964
All films by William Asher
Also two films together1 more actor
- Valora NolandMuscle Beach Party (1964) and Beach Party (1963)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1960 | Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.