Shelley Berman
Who Shelley Berman is
American comedian, actor, writer, teacher and poet whose influential stand-up relied heavily on monologues and one-sided telephone routines. He recorded major comedy albums, appeared repeatedly on television and later earned an Emmy nomination for Curb Your Enthusiasm. He died 1 September 2017 at age 92.
At a glance
- Born
- 1925
- Died
- 2017
- Style
- Character storytelling, Character monologue, Storytelling
- Albums
- Inside Shelley Berman
- Podcasts
- To Laughter With Questions
- On screen
- The Steve Allen Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Twilight Zone and 11 more
Specials, shows and podcasts
Albums
- Inside Shelley Berman
On screen
- The Steve Allen Show
- The Ed Sullivan Show
- The Twilight Zone
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Meet the Fockers Judge Ira, 2004
- You Don't Mess with the Zohan Zohan's Father, 2008
- The Holiday Norman, 2006
- Boston Legal Judge Robert Sanders, 2006–2008
- The Best Man Sheldon Bascomb, 1964
- Divorce American Style David Grieff, 1967
- Teen Witch Mr. Weaver, 1989
- L.A. Law Ben Flicker, 1992–1993
- Friends Mr. Kaplan Jr., 1996–1997
- Rented Lips Bill Slotnik, 1988
Podcasts
- To Laughter With Questions
Comedians like Shelley Berman
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Jackie Mason also in The Steve Allen Show
- Adam Sandler also in You Don't Mess with the Zohan
- David Steinberg also in Friends
- Dick Shawn also in The Ed Sullivan Show
- Flip Wilson also in The Ed Sullivan Show
- Jonathan Winters also in The Twilight Zone
- Lenny Bruce also in The Steve Allen Show
- Marty Allen also in The Ed Sullivan Show
Career timeline
- 1925Born
- 1964The Best Man (Sheldon Bascomb, 1964) On screen
- 1967Divorce American Style (David Grieff, 1967) On screen
- 1988Rented Lips (Bill Slotnik, 1988) On screen
- 1989Teen Witch (Mr. Weaver, 1989) On screen
- 1992L.A. Law (Ben Flicker, 1992–1993) On screen
- 1996Friends (Mr. Kaplan Jr., 1996–1997) On screen
- 2004Meet the Fockers (Judge Ira, 2004) On screen
- 2006The Holiday (Norman, 2006) On screen
- 2006Boston Legal (Judge Robert Sanders, 2006–2008) On screen
- 2008You Don't Mess with the Zohan (Zohan's Father, 2008) On screen
- 2017Died
Questions about Shelley Berman
What podcast does Shelley Berman host?
To Laughter With Questions.
What TV shows and films are they in?
The Steve Allen Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Twilight Zone, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Meet the Fockers and You Don't Mess with the Zohan, among 14 credits.
Who are some comedians like them?
Jackie Mason (also in The Steve Allen Show), Adam Sandler (also in You Don't Mess with the Zohan), David Steinberg (also in Friends), Dick Shawn (also in The Ed Sullivan Show) and Flip Wilson (also in The Ed Sullivan Show).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- Television Academy — Shelley Berman ↗ 1925–2017 dates, comedy/acting/writing career and Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Television Academy Interviews — Shelley Berman ↗ stand-up development and Inside Shelley Berman
- Wikipedia — Shelley Berman ↗ Meet the Fockers (Judge Ira, 2004); You Don't Mess with the Zohan (Zohan's Father, 2008); The Holiday (Norman, 2006); Boston Legal (Judge Robert Sanders,…
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 25 September 2026