James Komack
Encyclopedia
James Komack was an American
actor
, writer and film producer
. Komack was in the original cast of the Broadway musical Damn Yankees
and also in the film version; in both productions, he was one of the baseball players who perform the song "(You Gotta Have) Heart". Komack also appeared in Frank Capra
's film A Hole in the Head
, as Julius Manetta, inept son of Mario (Edward G. Robinson
) and Sophie (Thelma Ritter
).
In December 1960, Komack appeared as Dr. Franklin in the episode "Emergency" of CBS's anthology series, The DuPont Show with June Allyson
; his co-stars were Robert F. Simon
and Robert Vaughn
. Komack was the guiding force behind such television hits as The Courtship of Eddie's Father
, in which he also appeared as Norman Tinker, Me and Maxx
, whose title character was inspired by and named after his daughter, Chico and the Man
, and Welcome Back, Kotter
. Komack is credited with discovering and launching the careers of John Travolta
and Freddie Prinze
. Early in his career, Komack worked as a stand up comedian and also appeared as a regular in the series Hennesey
. He also made a record album of his routine, James Komack at the Waldorf. He also recorded an album on RCA Victor in 1957 of music, not a comedy album, titled "Inside Me", under the orchestra direction of Dennis Farnon, RCA LPM-1501. He was director of the Star Trek: The Original Series
episode "A Piece of the Action
".
Komack was widely believed to be the illegitimate son of Milton Berle
. In his autobiography, Berle describes an encounter with the producer of a hit 1970s' show, and got pitched for a role in another series (probably "The Man" in Chico in the Man). Berle said he didn't know the guy already had a hit show and was probably trying to hustle him to get a leg up as a producer. He wrote that it wasn't until later that he learned that this was the illegitimate son whom he had pined for ever since he'd had an affair with a would-be movie starlet back in the 1920s. By the time he came around, the role was cast.
Komack died Christmas Eve 1997 from heart failure.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
. Komack was in the original cast of the Broadway musical Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League...
and also in the film version; in both productions, he was one of the baseball players who perform the song "(You Gotta Have) Heart". Komack also appeared in Frank Capra
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
's film A Hole in the Head
A Hole in the Head
A Hole in the Head is a comedy film released by United Artists. It was directed by Frank Capra and featured Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Keenan Wynn, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, Dub Taylor and Joi Lansing. The film introduced the song "High Hopes", a Sinatra standard used...
, as Julius Manetta, inept son of Mario (Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson was a Romanian-born American actor. A popular star during Hollywood's Golden Age, he is best remembered for his roles as gangsters, such as Rico in his star-making film Little Caesar and as Rocco in Key Largo...
) and Sophie (Thelma Ritter
Thelma Ritter
Thelma Ritter was an American supporting and character actress from the 1940s until her death in 1969.-Early life:...
).
In December 1960, Komack appeared as Dr. Franklin in the episode "Emergency" of CBS's anthology series, The DuPont Show with June Allyson
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
The DuPont Show with June Allyson is an American anthology drama series which aired on CBS from September 21, 1959 to April 3, 1961 with rebroadcasts continuing until June 12, 1961...
; his co-stars were Robert F. Simon
Robert F. Simon
Robert F. Simon was an American character actor, often portraying military or authority figure roles. Though his face was recognized by audiences, he was mostly unknown by name...
and Robert Vaughn
Robert Vaughn
Robert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in...
. Komack was the guiding force behind such television hits as The Courtship of Eddie's Father
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
The Courtship of Eddie's Father is an American television sitcom based on the 1963 movie of the same name, which was based on the book written by Mark Toby...
, in which he also appeared as Norman Tinker, Me and Maxx
Me and Maxx
Me and Maxx was an American sitcom broadcast on NBC starting in 1980. The plot involved a young girl, Maxx , moving in with her dad, Norman , who had created a life for himself as a swinging bachelor.-Cast:...
, whose title character was inspired by and named after his daughter, Chico and the Man
Chico and the Man
Chico and the Man is an American sitcom which ran on NBC for four seasons, from September 13, 1974 to July 21, 1978. It stars Jack Albertson as Ed Brown , the cantankerous owner of a run down garage in an East Los Angeles barrio, and Freddie Prinze as Chico Rodriguez, an upbeat, optimistic Chicano...
, and Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter was an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta.It originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.-Premise:...
. Komack is credited with discovering and launching the careers of John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
and Freddie Prinze
Freddie Prinze
Freddie Prinze was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He was known as the star of Chico and the Man. He is the father of actor Freddie Prinze, Jr.-Early life:...
. Early in his career, Komack worked as a stand up comedian and also appeared as a regular in the series Hennesey
Hennesey
Hennesey is an American military sitcom that aired on CBS from 1959 to 1962. The series, which aired for three seasons, stars Jackie Cooper in the title role.-Synopsis:...
. He also made a record album of his routine, James Komack at the Waldorf. He also recorded an album on RCA Victor in 1957 of music, not a comedy album, titled "Inside Me", under the orchestra direction of Dennis Farnon, RCA LPM-1501. He was director of the Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
episode "A Piece of the Action
A Piece of the Action (TOS episode)
"A Piece of the Action" is a second-season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series first broadcast on January 12, 1968. It was repeated on August 30, 1968, the last episode to air in the 8:30 pm time slot on Friday nights. It is episode #46, production #49, written by David P. Harmon and Gene L...
".
Komack was widely believed to be the illegitimate son of Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
. In his autobiography, Berle describes an encounter with the producer of a hit 1970s' show, and got pitched for a role in another series (probably "The Man" in Chico in the Man). Berle said he didn't know the guy already had a hit show and was probably trying to hustle him to get a leg up as a producer. He wrote that it wasn't until later that he learned that this was the illegitimate son whom he had pined for ever since he'd had an affair with a would-be movie starlet back in the 1920s. By the time he came around, the role was cast.
Komack died Christmas Eve 1997 from heart failure.