FRANK GORSHIN

Frank Gorshin is the complete entertainer. His title includes impressionist, singer, comedian, stage, motion picture and television comedy and dramatic star, as well as night club and concert performance star. Although most people think of Gorshin primarily as an impressionist, he looks upon himself as a performer who does impressions, in addition to a vast array of other things.

"I do not do hundreds of impressions", says Gorshin. "My entire repertoire of impressions numbers less than 50. I never set out to do an impression of a person. However, when something a star does suddenly sparks my imagination, I find myself doing an impression of him- first for my own amusement, later for my repertoire." What distinguishes the Gorshin impressions are their totality. Not only does he capture the voice, but literally seems to take on the facial and body characteristics of his subjects- no mean feat when they range from the young cocky Brando to the older Brando of Godfather fame, to the wacky and incredible physical transformation into Ed Sullivan. With a dimming of the lights and a mere expression of the face Gorshin can set chills up your spine as Anthony Hopkins’ eerie and frightening "Hannibal Lechter". When portraying Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Jack Nicholson Rodney Dangerfield and many others, the audience recognizes the characterizations even before he utters a word.

Gorshin was the first to "break through" as a headliner in Las Vegas’ main showrooms with an act that emphasized impressions, but he also acted in literally hundreds of television and motion picture dramas and comedies. He has acted on Broadway and throughout the country on road company stages, and has received rave reviews for not only his theatrical finesse, but also for his superlative work as a singer. He recently told an interviewer, "I like to do all things, and hopefully do them well. I love to act, I love to sing, and I love doing impressions. I’m happiest when I’m on stage working, giving the audience my all."

The road to success for Gorshin for began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born on April 5, 1934. His father and mother (who still reside there) were a railroad worker and seamstress, respectively. At age 12, Gorshin discovered an interest in performing, and began to school himself as an actor. While in high school, he worked as an usher at the Sheridan Square Theatre, and for fun began doing impressions of some of his screen heroes-Al Jolson, James Cagney, Cary Grant and Edward C. Robinson. Then, at 17, he won a talent contest in Pittsburgh, his prize being a one-week engagement at Jackie Heller’s Carousel nightclub, where Alan King was headlining. It was Gorshin’s first paid job as an entertainer.

Two nights before Gorshin opened at the Carousel, his 15 year old brother was hit and killed by a car. At the insistence of his family, Frank went through with the engagement, which launched his show business career.

After graduation from high school, Gorshin attended the Carnage Tech (now Carnegie-Mellon Tech) School of Drama, and during off-hours worked in plays and in nightclubs in the Pittsburgh area. Then in 1953, he entered the US Army.

During almost two years in the armed forces during the Korean conflict, Gorshin served in Special Services as an entertainer. In the Army he met a Maurice Bergman who, when Gorshin returned to civilian life, introduced Frank to a Hollywood agent who quickly got him a job in the Paramount motion picture, "The Proud and The Profane". Roles in television dramas quickly followed.

In 1957, while visiting his folks in Pittsburgh, Gorshin was phoned by his agent to rush back to California to screen test for the Clark Cable film, "Run Silent, Run Deep". Gorshin drove 39 consecutive hours, fell asleep at the wheel, crashed, suffered a fractured skull, and woke up in the hospital four days later. He later discovered that the role went to Don Rickles, and considerably boost Rickles’ career. Gorshin also discovered that one of the Los Angeles newspapers had erroneously reported him killed. Although fate prevented him from landing that role, Gorshin subsequently appeared in the motion picture "The Bells Are Ringing" (which starred the late Judy Holiday and Dean Martin), in the part of a Brando-like method actor. This led to a role as myopic bass player in "Where The Boys Are", which led to co-starring with David Janssen in "Ring Of Fire"- all for MCM.

In 1958 Gorshin made his first Hollywood nightclub appearance at The Purple Onion. He was then signed for five appearances on "The Steve Alien Show" and subsequently, twelve appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show". In turn, this led to his landing the recurring role of a shore patrol sailor in the Jackie Cooper series, "Hennessy".

Several years later, Gorshin was signed for his first Las Vegas engagement, at The Flamingo, opening for Bobby Darin. It was during the 60’s that a major breakthrough in his career occurred. He was signed for the role of The Riddler on the "Batman" television series, and received an Emmy nomination. "I could feel the impact overnight," Gorshin recalls. On the nation’s streets, youngsters began impersonating The Riddler. Gorshin found himself being hailed by strangers as well as friends. As a result of the major impact of Gorshin on television, he was given headliner status in Las Vegas at the MCM Grand, The Sahara, The International and The Aladdin.

In addition, Gorshin became the first impressionist to headline in the prestigious Empire Room of New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He has since starred in major nightclubs and concert halls worldwide and has guested on numerous television variety and dramatic series, and specials. In 1972, he starred on the unique ABC- TV series "The KopyKats."

In 1970 Gorshin made his Broadway debut, as the star of "Jimmy", based on the life of New York’s Mayor James J. Walker. Gorshin’s personal notices were raves. He also starred in touring companies of "What Makes Sammy Run?", "Promises, Promises", "Peter Pan", "Prisoner of Second Avenue", "Death Trap", "Doubles", "Ah Wilderness", "On The 20th Century", "Breaking Legs" and "Guys and Dolls". His performance in "What Makes Sammy Run?" in Los Angeles earned him recognition as an outstanding stage performer in the Burns Mantle Yearbook.

In 1978, Gorshin, who achieved national recognition as The Riddler, re-enacted the role in an NBC-TV special, "Legends of The Superheroes". In 1978 Gorshin also starred as Ocran in the NBC-TV miniseries, "Stories From The Bible". In 1979 he starred in the CBS-TV motion picture, "Death Car on The Freeway" and as the space villain in "Buck Rogers in The 25th Century". In 1980, he starred in "Goliath Awaits" for NBC and for BBC in "Treasure Island" and "Princess Ida".

In 1978 and 1979, Gorshin was named one of the "Ten Best Dressed Men in America" by the Custom Tailors’ Guild, and in 1979 he was named as one of the "World’s Most Desirable Men", by the International Bachelor Women’s Society.

During 1980 Gorshin served as Honorary Chairman, Entertainment Division, for the American Heart Association. Gorshin is still hailed for his thought provoking Emmy nominated performance In the classic Star -Trek episode, "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield", a statement on modern day prejudice. He has guest starred on "Lois and Clark", and the Nickolodean series "Are You Afraid of The Dark?"

Gorshins’ recent movie roles include "Meteor Man", "12 Monkeys" with Bruce Willis and the soon to be released "Twilight of The Ice Nymphs" with Shelly Duvall

Among his prized possessions is a review from the Hollywood Reporter: "Frank Gorshin is so talented, he has to be one of the greatest entertainers today. He is an actor- a line actor. He is a singer- a fine singer. He is a comic- a splendid comic".