Person Biography:
Victor Buono was a talented actor, writer, poet, and chef, born on February 3, 1938, in San Diego, California. He was the son of Victor Francis Buono and Myrtle Belle (née Keller). Buono's interest in entertainment was encouraged by his grandmother, Myrtle Glied, a former vaudevillian, who taught him how to sing and recite in front of company. He initially considered a career in medicine but was drawn to acting after experiencing joy from several high school performances.
Buono began his career in local radio and television stations in San Diego, and at the age of 18, he joined the Globe Theater Players, where he was cast in Shakespearean and classic roles. In 1959, a Warner Bros. agent discovered him at the Globe Theatre and gave him a screen test, leading to a series of weird and wacky roles on television and film.
Buono's breakthrough role came in 1962, when he played Edwin Flagg, the creepy musical accompanist, in the gothic horror classic "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" alongside Bette Davis. He received a Best Supporting Oscar nomination for his performance. Buono continued to play deranged characters, including the title menace in "The Strangler" (1964) and the High Priest Sorak in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965).
Buono also appeared in several television series, including "The Wild Wild West" and "Batman," and had recurring roles in "Perry Mason," "Get Smart," and "I Spy." In the late 1970s, he appeared in the epic miniseries "Backstairs at the White House" as President William Howard Taft.
In addition to his acting career, Buono was a skilled gourmet chef and an expert on Shakespeare. He recorded a self-effacing comedy album and wrote comic poetry. Buono was also a sought-after raconteur on daytime and nighttime talk shows.
Despite his success, Buono struggled with his weight and accompanying health problems. He died of a massive heart attack at his ranch in Apple Valley, California, on January 1, 1982, at the age of 43.
