Known for movies

Short Info

DiedApril 3, 1993, Mission Viejo, California, United States
MarkGarish plaid suit, checkered baggy pants and hat, and a huge lisp
FactLater years were spent on the The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) (aka "Ed Sullivan Show"), Bob Hope specials, game shows, and the burlesque and dinner theatre circuit.


Pinky Lee was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 13, 1907. Her parents were vaudeville performers, so she was exposed to the entertainment industry at a young age. When she was just three years old, her family moved to Hollywood so her parents could pursue their careers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xri0zbSzuds

Pinky had two older sisters, one of whom died at a young age. As a result, Pinky became the family’s primary breadwinner. She started her career as a child actress and appeared in a number of films throughout the 1920s.

Pinky’s big break came in 1930 when she was cast as the lead in the film “Pinky.” The film was a huge success and made Pinky a household name.

Throughout the 1930s, Pinky appeared in a number of films and television shows. She also began to produce her own shows, including “The Pinky Lee Show” which aired on NBC from 1954-1955.

Pinky retired from show business in the late 1950s but made a comeback in the 1970s with a series of successful nightclub appearances.

Pinky Lee died of natural causes on November 4, 1993 at the age of 86.

During her career, Pinky Lee appeared in over 50 films and television shows. She was best known for her work in the 1930s, when she appeared in films like “Pinky” and “The Little Rascals.” Pinky was also known for her high-energy performances and her signature catchphrase, “You kids!”

Pinky Lee had a net worth of $5 million at the time of her death.

General Info

Full NamePinky Lee
DiedApril 3, 1993, Mission Viejo, California, United States
ProfessionComedian
NationalityAmerican

Accomplishments

MoviesOcean's 11, South of Caliente, In Old Amarillo, That's My Gal, One Exciting Week, Blonde Ransom
TV ShowsThe Pinky Lee Show

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Garish plaid suit, checkered baggy pants and hat, and a huge lisp

Quotes

#Quote
1I was the cleanest comedian in burlesque. I don't sing any love songs. I'm never in love. No Jane Russell type jokes. No violence. There are no gestures alluring to the derrière or other parts of the anatomy. Words like 'lousy' or 'stinker' are absolutely verboten. It's a happy, wholesome show.
2If I've done nothing else, I've at least left some love with children who have grown up. I've reached a very great height to say I've touched people's hearts and I've stayed there.

Facts

#Fact
1Always maintained that his lisp was not an affectation, but was inherited, as there were several lispers on both sides of his family.
2Children: Patty and Morgan. His daughter, Patty, has one child, a daughter.
3Wild burlesque comic whose silly, childish routines worked perfectly as the manic host of a children's show. His program, The Pinky Lee Show (1950) proved a solid lead-in to the long-running Howdy Doody (1954) in the 50s.
4Plagued by parental complaints that his frenetic kiddie show caused their children to misbehave, NBC tone down Pinky's show by limiting the destruction of property, bad grammar, squirting seltzer water, throwing things, name-calling and other antisocial behavior.
5Pee Wee Herman (aka Paul Reubens) and his show, Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986) was lifted almost 100% from Pinky Lee -- right down to the little slanted window on the set, the ill-fitting checked suit, the laugh, the hat, the behavior, even the eyebrows. The resemblance was eerie.
6One of the hardest-working men in TV, Pinky collapsed live on the air in 1955 in what appeared to be a heart attack, but was later discovered as a severe sinus attack. When he regained his health and attempted to return, the TV networks were not receptive and his career went downhill fast. They were afraid he might once again collapse in front of thousands of children on THEIR station.
7Often the punchline of other comedian's jokes, one Broadway critic called him "the comedian that comedians hate" because of his brash, over-the-top persona.
8Later years were spent on the The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) (aka "Ed Sullivan Show"), Bob Hope specials, game shows, and the burlesque and dinner theatre circuit.
9Comic.

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Here It Is, Burlesque!1979TV MovieSkits
The ABC Comedy Hour1972TV Series
Ocean's 111960Pinky Lee (scenes deleted)
The Pinky Lee Show1957TV SeriesPinky Lee
The Gumby Show1956TV SeriesHost (1957)
Hawaiian Nights1954ShortPinky - the Valet
Those Two1951TV SeriesRegular
Pals of the Golden West1951Photographer Pinky
South of Caliente1951Pinky
In Old Amarillo1951Pinky Lee
That's My Gal1947Harry Coleman
One Exciting Week1946Itchy
Blonde Ransom1945Pinky Lee
Earl Carroll Vanities1945Pinky Price
Lady of Burlesque1943Mandy
Dental Follies1937ShortDentist

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Hawaiian Nights1954Short performer: "Kumu in the Muumuu"
Earl Carroll Vanities1945performer: "Rockabye Boogie", "The Last Man in Town"

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Mike Douglas Show1965-1980TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest
The Merv Griffin Show1965-1966TV SeriesHimself
The Ed Sullivan Show1951-1960TV SeriesHimself / Comedian
Musical Chairs1955TV SeriesHimself
Stump the Stars1953TV Series
The Pinky Lee Show1950TV SeriesHimself - Host
The Pinky Lee Show1950TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Host
Cavalcade of Stars1949TV SeriesHimself - Guest Comedian

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1960Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameTelevisionOn 8 February 1960. At 6201 Hollywood Blvd.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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