Corbett Monica
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
The durable Corbett Monica worked the standup comedy circuit for over 40 years, opening for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin. Born on Manhattan's Upper East Side, he relocated to St Louis, MO, when he was 13. Four years later, Monica took advantage of St Louis' numerous clubs and began his standup career. After a marriage and divorce that yielded a son and was a source of comedic material, Monica entered the US Army, honing his craft while entertaining at USO clubs. During one of these gigs, he met his second wife Helen Stover. Both former dance instructors, they were married for twenty years and had five children together. Keeping his act clean, Monica often joked of his wife's lack of proficiency in the kitchen, but as an accomplished cook, she took his unfounded barbs in stride and even their divorce was amicable.
By the early 60s, Monica became a popular figure in the nightclubs of Las Vegas and Atlantic City where he opened for some of the top acts of his day. His frequent stints with Frank Sinatra made him a virtual member of the Rat Pack, an alliance that won him the role of Larry Corbett, the manager and friend of Joey Bishop for two seasons of "The Joey Bishop Show" (NBC, then CBS) after two other sidekicks were fired from the program. In addition, Monica racked up 18 appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (CBS) and was a frequent guest host on NBC's "The Tonight Show." Later in his career, now known as a old-fashioned nightclub comedian, Monica portrayed himself in the 1984 Woody Allen film "Broadway Danny Rose" and appeared in a 1986 Cinemax special "But Seriously Folks," starring fellow old-school funnymen Jan Murray and Shecky Greene. His other screen appearances include a turn in the 1970 Vegas-set melodrama "The Grasshopper" with Jacqueline Bisset, Jim Brown and Joseph Cotten and he also acted in the 1972 ABC TV-movie "Call Her Mom," starring Connie Stevens. In the mid-80s, Monica moved to Miami, continuing to tour with singers, most frequently with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. A true veteran comedian, he was adept at reading an audience and tailoring his jokes to suit them.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1943
At the age of 13, moved with family to St Louis, MO (date approximate)
1962
Played Larry Corbett on the sitcom "The Joey Bishop Show"
1970
Acted in the film "The Grasshopper" along with Jacqeline Bissett, Jim Brown and Joseph Cotten
1972
Appeared in the ABC comedy TV-movie "Call Her Mom" starring Connie Stevens
1984
Starred in the Woody Allen film "Broadway Danny Rose"
1986
Appeared in the Cinemax comedy special "But Seriously Folks" along with Shecky Greene and Jan Murray
Family
Companions
