Will Jordan (born William Rauch, July 27, 1927[citation needed] – September 6, 2018) was an American character actor and stand-up comedian best known for his resemblance to, and impressions of, television host and newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan.

Will Jordan
Born
Wilbur Rauch

July 27, 1927
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died (aged 91)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, stand-up comedian
Years active1949−2010

Early life

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Born in the Bronx, Rauch grew up in Flushing, Queens.[1] His father was a pharmacist and his mother owned a hat store.[1] Jordan graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.[citation needed]

Career

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As Ed Sullivan

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In his act, Jordan came up with the catch-phrase, "Welcome to our Toast of the Town 'Shoooo'", which became a stereotypical joke for nearly every Sullivan impersonator after that, usually as the more generic "Really Big 'Shoooo'" (or "shoe").[2][self-published source]

Jordan appeared as Sullivan in the Broadway production of the musical Bye Bye Birdie in 1960–1961 (a role he would reprise in the revival from October 15, 2009, through January 24, 2010).

Most of Jordan's film and television performances since the 1970s have been as Sullivan in films that feature characters appearing on Sullivan's famous variety series. These include:

In 1983, Jordan appeared as Sullivan in the 1960s-TV-style video for "Tell Her About It", the Billy Joel hit single.

Other work

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Jordan's other impressions included Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx and Jack Benny. He imitated Peter Lorre and James Mason as one of the actors in "Psycho Drama" on Rupert Holmes's 1974 debut album Widescreen.

Jordan performed on the 1970 P.D.Q. Bach recording The Stoned Guest in the role of Milton Host, a send-up of Metropolitan Opera radio announcer Milton Cross.

He also participated in a recording project, called "The Sicknicks", with Sandy Baron. The pair produced a comedy single, "The Presidential Press Conference", which was a minor hit in 1961.

Personal life and death

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Jordan had a son, Lonnie Saunders.[1]

September 6, 2018, writer Mark Evanier announced Jordan died that morning at his Manhattan home at age 91.[1]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1950 Ford Star Revue Two episodes
1951 The Steve Allen Show
1952–1953 The Arthur Murray Party Four episodes
1954–1968 The Ed Sullivan Show Eleven episodes
1954 Your Chevrolet Showroom
1954–1956 Tonight Starring Steve Allen Two episodes
1955 The Martha Raye Show Two episodes
1956 Good Morning! with Will Rogers Jr.
1958 Make Me Laugh
1958–1962 Tonight Starring Jack Paar Two episodes
1959 Today
1961 American Bandstand
1962–1964 The Red Skelton Show Two episodes
1962 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1965 That Regis Philbin Show
1965 The Jimmy Dean Show
1966–1971 The Merv Griffin Show Six episodes
1966–1975 The Mike Douglas Show Two episodes
1968 The Joey Bishop Show
1968–1971 Kraft Music Hall Four episodes
1972 The ABC Comedy Hour
1972 The Bob Braun Show
1974 Funny Farm
1978 The Comedy Shop
1979 Elvis Ed Sullivan Television film

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 Cool Cat Blues The Cat, Smiling Ed Solvent Animated voice role; uncredited
1967 Think or Sink Narrator, Roscoe, Professor Rhinestine Animated voice role; uncredited
Forget-Me-Nuts Narrator, Roscoe, Professor Rhinestine Animated voice role; uncredited
1977 A Doonesbury Special Sportscaster Animated voice role
1978 I Wanna Hold Your Hand Ed Sullivan Feature film debut
The Buddy Holly Story Ed Sullivan
1983 Billy Joel - Tell Her About It Ed Sullivan Music video
1984 Broadway Danny Rose Himself
1991 The Doors Ed Sullivan
1992 Mr. Saturday Night Ed Sullivan
2003 Down with Love Ed Sullivan Final appearance

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Will Jordan, Who Mimicked the Famous, Is Dead at 91 - The New York Times". The New York Times. 1927-07-27. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  2. ^ A Party for Wences Archived 2006-09-09 at the Wayback Machine
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