About
Who was Oscar Levant?
One of the 20th century’s greatest wits.
A beloved talk-show guest, quiz show
panelist, radio, TV, and movie star
known for his wisecracking humor
and tell-all TV appearances
panelist, radio, TV, and movie star
known for his wisecracking humor
and tell-all TV appearances
A taboo-breaking trailblazer
who was one of the first celebrities to speak
openly and outrageously about his mental
health on live TV
who was one of the first celebrities to speak
openly and outrageously about his mental
health on live TV
Called
“America’s first publicly
dysfunctional celebrity”
by NPR
“America’s first publicly
dysfunctional celebrity”
by NPR
Appeared in
“An American in Paris”
alongside Gene Kelly and
Leslie Caron
“An American in Paris”
alongside Gene Kelly and
Leslie Caron
A piano virtuoso, composer, and
America’s highest-paid classical
concert star
America’s highest-paid classical
concert star
The premier
interpreter of George
Gershwin’s music
interpreter of George
Gershwin’s music
ONCE DUBBED “HOLLYWOOD’S FIRST CELEBRITY MELTDOWN,”
OSCAR LEVANT WAS DEMONIZED,
RIDICULED, BUT ALWAYS IN ON THE JOKE.
RIDICULED, BUT ALWAYS IN ON THE JOKE.
Famously public about his battles with mental health, Oscar wasn’t afraid to appear before audiences in a flight of mania,
inconsolably depressed, or hyper-medicated.
Some critics railed against his appearances as uncomfortable, profane, or even grotesque. But others hailed him for bringing a new level of candor to
late-night and lessening the stigma of mental illness.
“Roses are red,
violets are blue,
I’m schizophrenic,
and so am I.”
violets are blue,
I’m schizophrenic,
and so am I.”
– Oscar Levant
If the art of conversation takes two to tango,
Oscar Levant was Jack Paar's
favorite dance partner.
favorite dance partner.
Throughout the late 1950’s and early 60’s, Levant’s wickedly funny barbs delighted audiences and mortified the censors on shows like What’s My Line , The Celebrity Game and most famously on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar.
Oscar Levant had roles in 13 films, the most famous of which was "An American in Paris," where he played Gene Kelly's sidekick.
Before
Fallon, Letterman, Leno or Carson
There was
Jack Paar
The man who truly invented late-night television and The Tonight Show as we know it, Jack Paar distilled it into its essentials: two chairs, a couple of microphones, and
authentic, unguarded
human conversation. Celebrities from a variety of fields and disciplines didn’t come on to hawk their latest movies or books, they came to dish.
authentic, unguarded
human conversation. Celebrities from a variety of fields and disciplines didn’t come on to hawk their latest movies or books, they came to dish.
Paar variously called Levant “a man for whom living is
a sideline,” “my favorite
far-outpatient,” and “one of America’s true geniuses.”
It was live television. Millions tuned in on the edge of their seats eager to see what could—or inevitably would—happen live, especially when Paar dipped into his collection of regulars whose guest appearances always brought out the best in him.
His favorite guest?
Character actor, pianist, and wild card
OSCAR LEVANT
Character actor, pianist, and wild card
From humble beginnings as a piano prodigy,
Oscar Levant first heard George Gershwin's music when he was 12 and became obsessed with it.
Eventually, the two became fast friends, but it was a fraught relationship. George wrote countless songs that immediately entered the popular canon, but Oscar penned only one: “Blame It On My Youth.”
Despite the professional jealousy, when George died unexpectedly of a brain tumor in 1937, Oscar pledged to keep
his music alive.
He played Gershwin compositions
in concert halls across America, becoming the highest paid and most popular pianist in the country.
George Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue" remains one of the best-selling albums in Columbia Music’s history.
Now that you know
how we got here,
how we got here,
see how they all come together
on broadway now.
on broadway now.