Lenny Bruce
Lenny Bruce Birth name Leonard Alfred Schneider Born (1925-10-13)October 13, 1925 Mineola, New York, United States Died August 3, 1966(1966-08-03) (aged 40) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Medium Stand-up, film, television, books Nationality American Years active 1947–1966 Genres Satire, political satire, black comedy, improvisational comedy, blue comedy Subject(s) American culture, American politics, race relations, religion, human sexuality, obscenity, pop culture Influences Dick Gregory, Irwin Corey, Mort Sahl, Joe Ancis Influenced Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, David Cross, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Krassner, Lewis Black, Jon Stewart, Peter Cook, Abbie Hoffman, Joan Rivers, Nick Di Paolo, Sam Kinison, Eddie Izzard, Howard Stern, Bill Hicks, John Belushi, Rich Vos, Jerry Sadowitz, Cardell Willis, Denis Leary, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Rick Shapiro, Dave Chappelle, Tommy Chong, Stewart Lee, Emery Emery, Lou Reed, Joe Rogan Spouse Honey Harlow (m. 1951–1957; 1 child) Notable works and roles The Lenny Bruce Originals The Carnegie Hall Concert Let the Buyer Beware How to Talk Dirty and Influence People Leonard Alfred Schneider (October 13, 1925 – August 3, 1966), better known by his stage name Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic and satirist. He was renowned for his open, free-style and critical form of comedy which integrated satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity. His 1964 conviction in an obscenity trial was followed by a posthumous pardon, the first in New York State history, by then-Governor George Pataki in 2003. He paved the way for future outspoken counterculture-era comedians, and his trial for obscenity is seen as a landmark for freedom of speech in the United States.