Avery Schreiber

Avery Lawrence Schreiber (April 9, 1935 – January 7, 2002) was an American actor and comedian. He was a veteran of stage, television, and movies[1][2] who came to prominence in the 1960s in a comedy duo with Jack Burns. He acted in an array of acting roles mostly on television sitcoms and a series of popular advertisements for Doritos tortilla chips.[3]

Avery Schreiber
Schreiber (left) with Jack Burns in 1966
Born
Avery Lawrence Schreiber

(1935-04-09)April 9, 1935
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 7, 2002(2002-01-07) (aged 66)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor, comedian
Years active1964–2001
Spouse(s)
Rochelle Issacs
(m. 1962)
Children2
Jack Albertson, Avery Schreiber, and Freddie Prinze on Chico and the Man (1975)

Life and career

Schreiber was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Minnie (née Shear) and George Schreiber.[2] He started his career in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre. He joined The Second City and later teamed with Jack Burns to form the comedy team of Burns and Schreiber.[3] They recorded several comedy albums and appeared on numerous television shows.

Schreiber is remembered for his many Doritos commercials during the 1970s and 1980s,[4] as well as his appearances on several television series. He was known for his trademark bushy handlebar moustache, curly hair, and comedic reactions.

In 1965, Schreiber played the role of Captain Manzini on My Mother the Car. In the summer of 1973, he co-hosted the ABC comedy The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour.[5] He was a regular guest star on the situation comedy Chico and the Man, and was also a frequent guest panelist on the game show Match Game, and a guest in a first-season episode of The Muppet Show (written by former partner Jack Burns, whom he mentioned during a stand-up routine in the episode). In addition, he participated in the 1980 Tournament of Celebrities on the Jim Perry-hosted version of Card Sharks.

His movie appearances include The Monitors (the first film production of Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, 1969), Don't Drink the Water (1969), Deadhead Miles (1972), Swashbuckler (1976), The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977), The Concorde ... Airport '79, Silent Scream (1979), Scavenger Hunt (1979), Caveman (1981), Jimmy the Kid (1983) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).

Avery continued to work in film, television and theater, as well as teaching improvisational theater technique up until the time of his death. He taught master classes at The Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles.

He and his wife Rochelle had two children.[3]

Death

In 1994, Schreiber suffered a heart attack resulting from complications of diabetes. Although he survived triple coronary artery bypass surgery, he never fully recovered. He died of another heart attack on January 7, 2002 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.[1]

Legacy

In 2003, the Avery Schreiber Theatre was founded in North Hollywood, California. In 2013, the Avery Schreiber Theatre changed its name to The Avery Schreiber Playhouse with the approval of Rochelle Isaacs Schreiber (Shelley), Avery's widow. It is located at 4934 Lankershim Boulevard in the NoHo Arts District.[6]

Filmography

Features

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969The MonitorsMax Jordan
1969Don't Drink the WaterThe Sultan
1972Deadhead MilesBoss Fulano
1976SwashbucklerPulaski
1976The Southern Double Cross
1977The Last Remake of Beau GesteArab Chieftain / Used Camel Salesman
1977Lindsay Wagner: Another Side of Me
1978Loose ShoesTheatre Manager
1978Christmas at Walt Disney WorldGeppetto
1979The Concorde ... Airport '79Russian coach Markov
1979Silent ScreamSgt. Manny Ruggin
1979Scavenger HuntZookeeper
1980Steve Martin: All Commercials
1980GalaxinaCaptain Cornelius Butt
1981CavemanOck
1983Jimmy the KidDr. Stevens
1984Cannonball Run IIUncredited
1987HunkConstatine Constapopolis
1988Saturday the 14th Strikes BackFrank Baxter
1993Robin Hood: Men in TightsTax Assessor
1995Dracula: Dead and Loving ItPeasant on Coach
1997The Lay of the LandDean Bill Whittier
1998The Russian RoomOld Russian ManShort
2000Rebel YellGranddaddy of Punk
2000Pedestrian
2001Dying on the EdgeSaul

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1964East Side/West SideTruck Driver
1964Vacation Playhouse
1965-1966My Mother the CarCaptain Bernard Manzini11 episodes
1967Our Place
1968PremiereSpivak
1968Get SmartOleg
1969The Mothers-in-LawMr.Crawford
1969Love, American StyleSeason 1, Episode 7: Love and the Advice-Givers
1969The Ghost and Mrs. MuirFire Commissioner LillySeason 2, Episode 10: The Firehouse Five Plus Ghost
1969-1970That GirlAl TaylorUnknown episodes
1970The Doris Day ShowWarren Coleman
1971Story Theatre
1971EscapeNicholas SlyeTV movie
1972McCloudMilton
1972Second ChanceRoberto GazzariTV movie
1973The Burns and Schreiber Comedy HourHostUnknown episodes
1974The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn MachineMr. EvilTV movie
1975Ben Vereen... Comin' at YaRegular PerformerUnknown episodes
1975Chico and the ManGypsy / Fortune Teller2 episodes
1975Sammy and CompanyHimself3 episodes
1976The Muppet ShowHimself
1976The Rockford FilesAzie Boyajian
1977Sha Na NaHimself
1977Don't Push, I'll Charge When I'm ReadyAnnouncerTV movie
1978The Love BoatMarooned
1979The Dukes of HazzardWendelEpisode 1:13 - Double Sting
1979Flatbed Annie & Sweetiepie: Lady TruckersMunroeTV movie
1980Avery Schreiber Live From the Second CityHimselfTV movie
1980More Wild Wild WestRussian AmbassadorTV movie
1982Fantasy IslandEd Turner
1984The Fall GuyTruck Driver(Episode 4:1 - Losers Weepers)
1984Faerie Tale Theatre PinocchioBoatman
1985The Pound PuppiesTubbsVoice, TV movie
1985Shadow ChasersJordan Kerner
1985-1987The SmurfsAdditional Voices2 episodes
1986OutlawsHalifax
1987Top Cat and the Beverly Hills CatsBenny the BallVoice, TV movie
1988A Pup Named Scooby-DooAdditional Voices13 episodes
1989Saved by the BellDr. Mertz
1990Wake, Rattle & RollDr. Lester T. QuirkVoice, TV Series, Unknown episodes
1992Days of Our LivesLeopold Alamain
1993-1995AnimaniacsBeanie the Brain-Dead BisonVoice, 3 episodes
1999BeckerMan Outside Reggie's Diner

References

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