Pat McCormick was a renowned comedian who enjoyed a long and successful career in stand-up and TV variety circuits, despite not achieving superstardom. However, his prowess as a gag writer was unmatched, and he wrote for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Born on June 30, 1927, in Lakewood, Ohio, Pat was already a larger-than-life presence in high school, where he was a championship hurdler. After serving in the Army during World War II, he attended Harvard Law School but dropped out to pursue a career in advertising in New York City.
On the side, Pat began writing comedy material for stand-up artists and TV shows, and formed a comedy duo with comedian and writer Marc London. He soon became known for his offbeat and warped sense of humor, which he used to write special material for Phyllis Diller, Jonathan Winters, and Henny Youngman.
Pat's big break came when he was hired by Jack Paar to write for his family talk show. This led to a chain reaction of opportunities, as he wrote for Merv Griffin, Red Skelton, Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball, Bette Midler, and Johnny Carson for 12 years on his "Tonight Show." He also wrote for TV shows such as "Candid Camera" and "Get Smart."
In his 40s, Pat finally started appearing on camera, earning a job as announcer and straight man for Don Rickles on his short-lived TV variety show in 1968. He then became a regular on "The New Bill Cosby Show" (1972) and became a fixture on the talk show circuit and the Friars Club roasts.
Pat's distinctive voice became a well-oiled instrument in hundreds of radio ads and commercials, many of which he wrote. He was also known for his towering but harmless girth, walrus-styled mustache, and balding, combed-over hair style.
In film, Pat was best known for playing Big Enos Burdette alongside Burt Reynolds in "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977) and its sequels. He also appeared in several other films, including "Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson" (1976),"A Wedding" (1978),"The Shaggy D.A." (1976),"Scavenger Hunt" (1979),"The Gong Show Movie" (1980),"Under the Rainbow" (1981),"Doin' Time" (1985),"Rented Lips" (1987),and "Ted & Venus" (1991).
On TV, besides his various variety and talk show appearances, Pat also acted in sitcoms such as "Sanford and Son," "Laverne & Shirley," "The Golden Girls," and "Grace Under Fire."
Following a massive stroke in 1998 that left him speechless and paralyzed, Pat was placed in permanent care at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. He passed away on July 29, 2005, at the age of 78, and was survived by his son Ben and grandson.
