Dick Martin

'Dick Martin' (qv), the comedian and television director who achieved TV immortality as the co-host of _Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967)_ (qv) as the comic foil to straight man 'Dan Rowan' (qv), was born on January 30, 1922 in Battle Creek, Michigan. The young Martin was a writer for the popular radio sit-com "Duffy's Tavern" before teaming up with Rowan in the 1950s. The duo achieved success playing the nightclub circuit and Las Vegas, leading to Martin's being cast in a recurring role on _The Lucy Show (1962)_ (qv) as series start 'Lucille Ball' (qv)'s next door neighbor "Harry Conners" when Lucy's new series debuted in 1962, Martin remained as a regular on "Lucy" through the 1963-64 season.As the success of their act increased, Rowan & Martin began making appearances on TV during the 1960s. In 1966, the duo were cast as the co-hosts for the _The Dean Martin Summer Show (1966)_ (qv) on NBC. The following year, when NBC decided it wanted a new comic variety show that would have cross-generational appeal, producers 'Ed Friendly' (qv) and 'George Schlatter' (qv) hired Rowan & Martin to co-host a one-time special, "Laugh-In", that would serve as a pilot for the potential series. The special was a success, and _Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967)_ (qv) debuted the following year. It was a smash hit, proving to be one of the top-rated shows of the late 1960s, and had a huge impact on American pop culture during the first years of its five-year run. The series was canceled in 1973.In 1969, Rowan & Martin made an attempt to recapture the small-screen magic of "Laugh-In" on the big screen, but _The Maltese Bippy (1969)_ (qv) was a flop. After the cancellation of their series, Rowan & Martin generally parted ways, professionally, as 'Dan Rowan' (qv) was a diabetic and limited his work. Like Rowan, Martin became a frequent panelist on game shows such as _Match Game (1973)_ (qv). He also hosted the _Mindreaders (1979)_ (qv) game show in 1979, but the show was not a success. Martin eventually launched a new career as a TV director, serving as the chief director of the 1980s sitcom, _Newhart (1982)_ (qv).On the personal front, Martin was most known for his two marriages to Playboy Playmate of the Year 'Dolly Read' (qv) (1971-75; 1978-present). Martin's first wife was the former 'Peggy Connelly' (qv), by whom he had two sons, 'Richard Martin' (qv), Jr. and Cary Martin.::Jon C. Hopwood