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Harry Einstein (May 6, 1904 – November 24, 1958) was an American comedian and writer, usually known by the name Harry Parke, but who was variously credited as Harry Einstein, Harold Einstein, Harry "Parkyakarkus" Einstein, Parkyakarkus and Parkyarkarkus. He became famous as the character Parkyakarkus (or Parkyarkarkus) — park your carcass; that is, sit down — who garbled Greek on Eddie Cantor's radio show and appeared in eleven films using this name from 1936 to 1945. He was also known as Harry Einstein, according to Art Linkletter's 1960 memoir, Confessions of a Happy Man.

Personal life

Parke was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Charles Einstein, a pawnbroker from Austria, and Sarah, who was born in Russia. He married Thelma Leeds on February 7, 1937, and his children include the comedians Albert Brooks, Bob Einstein (a.k.a. Super Dave Osborne) and advertising creative/actor Clifford Einstein. By his first marriage to Lillian Anshen, he was the father of Charles Einstein, a writer.

Death on stage

Parke died from a heart attack at a Friar's Club Roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on November 24, 1958 in Los Angeles, California.^[1] When Parke slumped onto Milton Berle's lap at the event, Berle asked "Is there a doctor in the house?"; this remark was met with laughter, as the crowd was unaware that Berle was being serious. Emcee Art Linkletter^[2] then directed crooner Tony Martin to sing a song to divert the crowd's attention; Martin's unfortunate choice was "There's No Tomorrow." According to the Los Angeles Times account, Desi Arnaz said: "This offering meant so much to me. Now it means nothing. Please, everyone, pray to your God that he will be saved."

See also

• List of people who died onstage

References

External links

• Harry Parke at the Internet Movie Database