Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🎨

Paul Lynde

arts Maturity 7-9 death dying Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: death_dying. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Paul Edward Lynde was a prominent American comedian, actor, and game-show panelist. He was celebrated for a distinctively campy and snarky persona. This style often involved poking fun at his own closeted homosexuality. Lynde believed that laughter served a vital purpose in the world. He once stated that making people laugh was a meaningful contribution to society. His unique comedic timing earned him respect from his peers and fans alike. He frequently topped popularity polls for television stars during his career.

Lynde's early life was rooted in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He was born on June 13, 1926, to Sylvia Bell Lynde and Hoy Corydon Lynde. His parents operated a local meat market. He was the fifth of six children in his family. His brother, Coradon, died in 1944 while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. Lynde graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1944, where he played the bass drum. He later studied speech and drama at Northwestern University in Illinois. He graduated from the university in 1948. His classmates included several famous actors like Cloris Leachman and Patricia Neal.

After college, Lynde moved to New York City to pursue show business. He took various odd jobs before finding success. He made his Broadway debut in the 1952 revue titled New Faces of 1952. In this show, he performed a monologue called the "Trip of the Month Club." This piece featured him playing a man on crutches describing an African safari. He later appeared in the 1963 film version of Bye Bye Birdie. In that production, he played the befuddled father, Harry MacAfee. He also recorded a live album in 1963 called Recently Released.

Television provided Lynde with his most enduring roles. He is perhaps most famous for playing Uncle Arthur on the sitcom Bewitched. He first appeared in a 1965 episode as a nervous driving instructor. The character was so well-received that he became a recurring role.

Uncle arthur bewitched 1968
Uncle arthur bewitched 1968

He made ten appearances as Uncle Arthur before 1971. Lynde also worked extensively in voice acting for Hanna-Barbera Productions. Between 1969 and 1974, he voiced several animated characters. He played the gluttonous rat Templeton in the 1973 film Charlotte's Web. He also voiced Sylvester Sneekly, known as the Hooded Claw, in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop.

Lynde became an icon on the game show The Hollywood Squares. He debuted on the program in 1966 as a guest star. Eventually, he became a permanent "center square" panelist. This position meant contestants would call on him in almost every round.

The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour Paul Lynde Nancy Walker 1975
The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour Paul Lynde Nancy Walker 1975

He used this platform to deliver salty one-liners and snickering delivery. His jokes often used double entendre or alluded to his personal life. He appeared in 1,083 episodes of the show. Although he left in 1979, he returned in 1980. He remained with the series until it was canceled in February 1981.

Lynde also starred in his own television programs. In 1972, he headlined the ABC sitcom The Paul Lynde Show. He played Paul Simms, an uptight attorney and father. The show earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. However, the series struggled with low ratings and was canceled after one season. He was later moved to the show Temperatures Rising. This move was controversial and led to the producer, William Asher, quitting in protest. ABC eventually canceled that series as well in 1974. Lynde also hosted several successful television specials on ABC from 1975 to 1979.

Beyond the screen, Lynde was a frequent performer in summer stock theater. He was a regular with the Kenley Players circuit. He appeared in nine different productions for them, more than any other headliner. He also toured the United States and Canada in 1980. This tour featured one-act plays by Neil Simon, such as Plaza Suite. Lynde's career spanned many different media, from Broadway to animation. He died on January 11, 1982. He left behind a legacy of laughter and a highly recognizable comedic voice.

660 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (2)
File:Uncle arthur bewitched 1968.JPG
Uncle arthur bewitched 1968.JPG
File:The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour Paul Lynde Nancy Walker 1975.jpg
The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour Paul Lynde...
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.