Alan Sues
Encyclopedia
Alan Sues is a U.S. comic actor best known for his performances as part of the ensemble on the 1968–1973 television program Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
. Sues' on-screen persona was campy, outrageous and contained verbal slapstick; typical of his humor was a skit that found him following a pair of whiskey-drinking cowboy
s to a Wild West bar and requesting a frozen daiquiri
. Sues' recurring characters on the program included Big Al the Sportscaster and Uncle Al the Kiddie's Pal. He also parodied castmate JoAnne Worley when she left the show, appearing in drag.
, directed by Elia Kazan
, which had a very successful run in New York City. From that, he was able to get more work in stand-up comedy (at Reuben Bleu and Blue Angel, both clubs in Manhattan), worked with Julius Monk
, and joined an improv/sketch group with The Mad Show
, which led to his being cast in Laugh-In. (Fans who know Alan for his outrageous comedy will be surprised to hear that he won a Shakespeare contest while attending UCLA).
Outside of Laugh-In, Sues appeared in the classic Twilight Zone
episode, The Masks
, in a non-comic role. This episode called for his character to be of high school age, as evidenced by references to his being captain of the football team and doing well in school. Being 38 at the time, his looks run counter to this, with a comb-over and thinning hair. He also had supporting roles in the films Move Over, Darling
(1963) and The Americanization of Emily
(1964).
After Laugh-In, onstage he portrayed Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes (opposite John Wood, and later Leonard Nimoy
), which, according to Sues, was "one of my favorite roles, because it's so against type, and I loved the makeup". The makeup for Moriarty was used in several books about makeup as an example of shadowing and technique.
From 1953–1958 Sues was married to Phyllis (b. 1923) a dancer who continued to use her married name of Phyllis Sues after their divorce. The divorce in 1958 was amicable, with Phyllis going on to a career in design and dance instruction. In 2008, fifty years after their divorce, Phyllis Sues conducted a lengthy interview with Sues at his home for her web site.(Phyllis Sues interview with Alan Sues, 2008.)
Sues appeared in television commercials for Peter Pan Peanut Butter during the 1970s, as a tongue-in-cheek Peter Pan
. He also toured with Singin' in the Rain
, playing the Elocution Instructor. In addition, he appeared in several movies, and provided voiceovers including Oh! Heavenly Dog and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
.
He appeared in the short films Lord of the Road (1999) and Artificially Speaking
(2009), the latter making its premiere at Dances with Films 2009 in Los Angeles. Sues is currently developing and writing a comedic/romantic/mystery screenplay.
Sues is recording an audiobook, Oh, Nothing... compiled of several stories and anecdotes from his 50 years in show business. Stated in his foreword: "This is not an autobiography by any means. I'm already bored just saying that word! People have been telling me for years to write a book, but I've been told my stories come across better when I tell them. Accompanied by a glass of cheap wine." The audiobook is slated for a 2011 release on iTunes.
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968, to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC...
. Sues' on-screen persona was campy, outrageous and contained verbal slapstick; typical of his humor was a skit that found him following a pair of whiskey-drinking cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s to a Wild West bar and requesting a frozen daiquiri
Daiquiri
Daiquiri is a family of cocktails whose main ingredients are rum, lime juice, and sugar or other sweetener. There are several versions, but those that gained international fame are the ones made in the El Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba....
. Sues' recurring characters on the program included Big Al the Sportscaster and Uncle Al the Kiddie's Pal. He also parodied castmate JoAnne Worley when she left the show, appearing in drag.
Biography
Sues studied theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse before he made his Broadway debut in the stage play Tea and SympathyTea and Sympathy
Tea and Sympathy is a 1953 stage play in three acts by Robert Anderson.-Broadway premiere:It received its premiere on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on September 30, 1953 in a production by The Playwrights' Company, directed by Elia Kazan and designed by Jo Mielziner. The play starred...
, directed by Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan was an American director and actor, described by the New York Times as "one of the most honored and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history". Born in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, to Greek parents originally from Kayseri in Anatolia, the family emigrated...
, which had a very successful run in New York City. From that, he was able to get more work in stand-up comedy (at Reuben Bleu and Blue Angel, both clubs in Manhattan), worked with Julius Monk
Julius Monk
- Career :His club Julius Monk's Downstairs opened March 4, 1956 with Four Below, labeled as "the first legitimate cafe revue in New York City" by James Gavin, author of Intimate Nights, The Golden Age of New York Cabaret....
, and joined an improv/sketch group with The Mad Show
The Mad Show
The Mad Show is an Off-Broadway musical revue based on Mad Magazine. The music is by Mary Rodgers, the book by Larry Siegel and Stan Hart. The show's various lyricists include Siegel, Marshall Barer, Steven Vinaver, and Stephen Sondheim.-Production:...
, which led to his being cast in Laugh-In. (Fans who know Alan for his outrageous comedy will be surprised to hear that he won a Shakespeare contest while attending UCLA).
Outside of Laugh-In, Sues appeared in the classic Twilight Zone
Twilight zone
-Television series and spinoffs:*The Twilight Zone, the anthology television series and its franchise:**The Twilight Zone , the 1959–1964 original television series***Twilight Zone: The Movie, a 1983 film based on the original series...
episode, The Masks
The Masks
-Synopsis:Jason Foster, a very wealthy old man, is dying. Cranky and candid, Jason is not cheered by a visit from his daughter Emily and her family—husband Wilfred, son Wilfred Jr., and daughter Paula. All four have various, terrible traits. Emily is a cowardly, self-centered hypochondriac who...
, in a non-comic role. This episode called for his character to be of high school age, as evidenced by references to his being captain of the football team and doing well in school. Being 38 at the time, his looks run counter to this, with a comb-over and thinning hair. He also had supporting roles in the films Move Over, Darling
Move Over, Darling
Move Over, Darling is a 1963 remake of the 1940 screwball comedy My Favorite Wife that starred Irene Dunne, Cary Grant and Gail Patrick. The remake stars Doris Day, James Garner, and Polly Bergen.-Plot:...
(1963) and The Americanization of Emily
The Americanization of Emily
The Americanization of Emily is a 1964 American comedy-drama war film written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Arthur Hiller, loosely adapted from the novel of the same name by William Bradford Huie who had been a SeaBee officer on D-Day....
(1964).
After Laugh-In, onstage he portrayed Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes (opposite John Wood, and later Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
), which, according to Sues, was "one of my favorite roles, because it's so against type, and I loved the makeup". The makeup for Moriarty was used in several books about makeup as an example of shadowing and technique.
From 1953–1958 Sues was married to Phyllis (b. 1923) a dancer who continued to use her married name of Phyllis Sues after their divorce. The divorce in 1958 was amicable, with Phyllis going on to a career in design and dance instruction. In 2008, fifty years after their divorce, Phyllis Sues conducted a lengthy interview with Sues at his home for her web site.(Phyllis Sues interview with Alan Sues, 2008.)
Sues appeared in television commercials for Peter Pan Peanut Butter during the 1970s, as a tongue-in-cheek Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
. He also toured with Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain (musical)
Singin' in the Rain is a musical with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed, and music by Nacio Herb Brown.Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, the plot closely adheres to the original...
, playing the Elocution Instructor. In addition, he appeared in several movies, and provided voiceovers including Oh! Heavenly Dog and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July is a feature-length 1979 Rankin-Bass crossover sequel filmed in stop-motion animation in the style of their 1964 Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was 97 minutes long. Although designed as a theatrical release , it made its U.S...
.
He appeared in the short films Lord of the Road (1999) and Artificially Speaking
Artificially Speaking
Artificially Speaking is a short film, which premiered at Dances with Films 2009 at the Laemmle Sunset 5, June 6, 2009. It stars Alan Sues, Lou Wagner, Karen Rambo, and an assorted cast.-Plot:...
(2009), the latter making its premiere at Dances with Films 2009 in Los Angeles. Sues is currently developing and writing a comedic/romantic/mystery screenplay.
Sues is recording an audiobook, Oh, Nothing... compiled of several stories and anecdotes from his 50 years in show business. Stated in his foreword: "This is not an autobiography by any means. I'm already bored just saying that word! People have been telling me for years to write a book, but I've been told my stories come across better when I tell them. Accompanied by a glass of cheap wine." The audiobook is slated for a 2011 release on iTunes.
Stage
- "The Mad ShowThe Mad ShowThe Mad Show is an Off-Broadway musical revue based on Mad Magazine. The music is by Mary Rodgers, the book by Larry Siegel and Stan Hart. The show's various lyricists include Siegel, Marshall Barer, Steven Vinaver, and Stephen Sondheim.-Production:...
" - Sketch & improvisation - "Tea and SympathyTea and SympathyTea and Sympathy is a 1953 stage play in three acts by Robert Anderson.-Broadway premiere:It received its premiere on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on September 30, 1953 in a production by The Playwrights' Company, directed by Elia Kazan and designed by Jo Mielziner. The play starred...
" (1953) - Happy BirthdayHappy Birthday (play)Happy Birthday is a play written by Anita Loos. It opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 31, 1946 and closed on March 13, 1948, after 564 performances. It starred Helen Hayes, for whom it was written. The story involves Addie, a mousy librarian who becomes enamoured of a handsome...
- "How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingHow to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name....
" - J Pierrepont Finch - "Good News (musical)Good News (musical)Good News is a musical with a book by Laurence Schwab and B.G. DeSylva, lyrics by DeSylva and Lew Brown, and music by Ray Henderson.The show opened on Broadway in 1927, the same year as Show Boat, but its plot was decidedly old-fashioned in comparison to Show Boats somewhat tragic and daring...
" - "Carl Reiner's Something Different (1967)"
- "Sugar (musical)Sugar (musical)Sugar is a musical with a book by Peter Stone, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. It is based on the film Some Like It Hot, which was adapted by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond from a story by Robert Thoeren and Michael Logan...
" (1974) - “The Three Musketeers” (1976)
- “Singin' in the Rain (musical)Singin' in the Rain (musical)Singin' in the Rain is a musical with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed, and music by Nacio Herb Brown.Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, the plot closely adheres to the original...
" (national tour 1995–1999) Director/elocutionist - “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” - Moriarity (1975)
- “Two for the Show” - One man stage show - Multiple Characters (1998-2000)
Film
- Artificially SpeakingArtificially SpeakingArtificially Speaking is a short film, which premiered at Dances with Films 2009 at the Laemmle Sunset 5, June 6, 2009. It stars Alan Sues, Lou Wagner, Karen Rambo, and an assorted cast.-Plot:...
(2009)...Sparky Schlosser - Lord of the Road (1999)
- A Bucket of BloodA Bucket of BloodA Bucket of Blood is a 1959 American comedy horror film directed by Roger Corman. It starred Dick Miller and was set in beatnik culture. The film, produced on a $50,000 budget, was shot in five days, and shares many of the low-budget filmmaking aesthetics commonly associated with Corman's work....
(1995)...Art Buyer - Snowballing (AKA Smooth Moves) (1984)...Roy
- Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980)...Freddie
- The Americanization of EmilyThe Americanization of EmilyThe Americanization of Emily is a 1964 American comedy-drama war film written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Arthur Hiller, loosely adapted from the novel of the same name by William Bradford Huie who had been a SeaBee officer on D-Day....
(1964)...Officer Enright - Move Over, DarlingMove Over, DarlingMove Over, Darling is a 1963 remake of the 1940 screwball comedy My Favorite Wife that starred Irene Dunne, Cary Grant and Gail Patrick. The remake stars Doris Day, James Garner, and Polly Bergen.-Plot:...
(1963)...Court Clerk
Television
- Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In (1968–1972)...Regular performer
- The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
"The Masks" (1964)...Wilfred Harper, Jr. - Sabrina, the Teenage WitchSabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)Sabrina, the Teenage Witch is an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series of the same name.The show stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, a teenager with magical powers, who lives with her aunts Hilda and Zelda , and their magical talking cat Salem...
"Good Will Haunting" (1998)...Bellevuedere - Punky BrewsterPunky BrewsterPunky Brewster was an American sitcom about a girl named Punky Brewster being raised by her foster parent...
"Tangled Web" (1987)...Andre Sockstein - The Brady Brides "Cool Hand Phil" (1987)...Duke
- Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in JulyRudolph and Frosty's Christmas in JulyRudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July is a feature-length 1979 Rankin-Bass crossover sequel filmed in stop-motion animation in the style of their 1964 Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was 97 minutes long. Although designed as a theatrical release , it made its U.S...
(1979)...Scratcher the jealous Reindeer - The Wild Wild WestThe Wild Wild WestThe Wild Wild West is an American television series that ran on CBS for four seasons from September 17, 1965 to April 4, 1969....
(1965)...Matt Dawson