Paul Lynde was the snarky center square who could make a phone book funny.
In short: A beloved character actor and game-show icon, Paul Lynde turned his campy, biting wit into a career that spanned Broadway, sitcoms, and animation. Though he often felt boxed in by his fame, his ability to deliver a perfect, sardonic one-liner made him one of television's most recognizable and enduring personalities.
Born in 1926 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Paul Lynde began his career in New York City, eventually making his Broadway debut in the 1952 revue New Faces. He gained early acclaim for his role as Harry MacAfee in the 1960 stage production of Bye Bye Birdie, a part he reprised in the 1963 film. By the mid-1960s, Lynde became a familiar face on popular sitcoms, most notably as the practical-joking Uncle Arthur on Bewitched, where his chemistry with Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher led to a recurring role.
Lynde is perhaps best remembered for his tenure on The Hollywood Squares. Appearing in 1,083 episodes between 1966 and 1981, he occupied the iconic center square, where he used his signature snickering delivery to deliver salty, double-entendre-laden quips. While urban legends suggested his position was contractually guaranteed, he remained there at the producers' discretion. His comedic talent was so highly regarded that Mel Brooks once remarked Lynde could find humor in reading a tornado alert or a seed catalogue.
Beyond live-action, Lynde lent his distinctive, whining voice to several animated characters, including Templeton the rat in the 1973 film Charlotte's Web. Despite his success, his later years were marked by professional struggles, including failed sitcom pilots and public battles with alcoholism. He remained a prolific performer in summer stock theater, holding the record for the most appearances in Kenley Players productions. Lynde passed away in 1982, leaving behind a legacy as a master of the sardonic inflection who prioritized the audience's need for laughter above all else.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Paul Lynde
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