The nicknames "The Prince of Pandemonium," "Master of Mayhem" and "King of Camp and Confetti" are but a few valid applications that have been thrust upon zany comedian Rip Taylor whose unique blend of burlesque and self-deprecating humor has entertained audiences for over four decades. A clever, quicksilver comic, he has headlined the top showrooms of Las Vegas, appeared on scores of television sh ...
show all The nicknames "The Prince of Pandemonium," "Master of Mayhem" and "King of Camp and Confetti" are but a few valid applications that have been thrust upon zany comedian Rip Taylor whose unique blend of burlesque and self-deprecating humor has entertained audiences for over four decades. A clever, quicksilver comic, he has headlined the top showrooms of Las Vegas, appeared on scores of television shows, starred in various musical stage slapstick and even toyed with dramatic material over the years.
Born Charles Elmer Taylor under quieter and more normal circumstances in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1934, the raucous Rip started out tossing out one-liners in nightclubs and received his first big break on a 1969 Ed Sullivan TV show. The tacky costumes, ridiculous props, handlebar mustache, wacky wigs and manic confetti-tossing didn't take long to follow as professional trademarks, and he and they soon made their way into the 70s pop culture. Found all over the "boob tube" at that time he appeared in everything from variety (Merv Griffin and David Letterman) to episodics ("The Monkees," "Love, American Style"). He was the gag man who delightfully wrangled out of every poor Henny Youngman-styled joke delivered, eventually finding the perfect avenue for his brand of insanity via producer Chuck Barris and his syndicated TV shows of the 70s and 80s. Rip became a favorite panelist judge along with Jaye P. Morgan on Barris's talent show (not!) "Gong Show, The" (1976)", and later served as host of the equally tacky "$1.98 Beauty Show, The" (1978)".
A mainstay in Las Vegas, whether as ringleader of a topless chorus line or opening act to a major entertainer, Rip also slayed 'em on Broadway ("Sugar Babies") and has demonstrated a fine singing instrument in such musical shows as "Anything Goes," "Oliver!" (as Fagan), "Peter Pan" (as Captain Hook) and, more recently, a 1999 production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (as Pseudolus). On the more serious side he has played Demi Moore's crusty boss in the film "The Indecent Proposal (1993)", and recently showed up sans confetti as Kate Hudson 's father in the Rob Reiner feature "Alex & Emma (2003)". But, for the most part, Rip has added campy nonsense to such groan-inducing comedies as "Gong Show Movie (1980)", the "Exorcist" spoof "Repossessed (1990)" with Linda Blair and Leslie Nielsen, "Silenzio dei prosciutti, Il (1994)" [The Silence of the Hams] and "Jackass: The Movie (2002)", a perfectly suitable title. A prolific talent in voiceover work as well, Rip was nominated for an Emmy award for voicing the role of Uncle Fester the TV cartoon series "Addams Family, The" (1992)". Way back in the early 1960s when he first provided additional voices for "Jetsons, The" (1962)", Rip knew this would be a lucrative source of income. His voice can be heard as well in such animated films as "DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)", "Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992)" and "Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico (2003) ".
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