I actually had the honor of becoming  friends with the late Milton Berle the last few years of his life. Sitting with Uncle Miltie and having him talk to me about the mechanics of comedy was like getting to sit with Socrates and talking philosophy. You can't get that kind education in school. I'll never forget the first time we met. I shook his 90 year old hand and I told him what an honor it was to meet a true comedic icon like himself. I thanked him for making me laugh so many hundreds of times throughout my childhood. How I loved , It's a Mad, Mad Mad World, all of the Roasts, his countless movie and television appearances etc. And he looked me in the eye, exhaled his cigar and said to me," SPEAK UP !  I CAN'T HEAR YOU! YOUR TALKING TO FAST! SPEAK  LOUDER AND SLOWER!" 

New York cronies in Hollywood (photo at left)

From, left to right: Star of NBC's Last Comic Standing Jay London (we've been close friends since my first day in show business, 18 years ago. The late Seth Schultz -former owner of Pips Comedy Club in Brooklyn (Rest in peace old friend, we miss you. He gave all of us our early breaks) Actor/comedian John Diresta (Miss Congeniality) John throws the best BBQ's in Hollywood, but there's so many laughs flying back & fourth you'd choke on your food!

With comedians David Brenner and
Steve Landesberg who is known as
Det. Dietrich from TV's Barney Miller