Myron Cohen was one of The Ed Sullivan Show’s most enduring and notable comedians and raconteurs known for his rich anecdotal storytelling, spot-on dialects, and warm, conversational humor. He made an astonishing 43 appearances on the show, earning his place as one of its most frequent and recognizable guests during television’s golden age.
Born in Grodno, Russia (now Hrodna, Belarus), in 1902 to a Jewish family, Cohen immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Manhattan. Deeply influenced by the rich culture of his Jewish upbringing and the bustling life of New York City’s garment district, Cohen developed a gift for mimicking the voices and personalities around him, skills that would eventually shape his comedic persona.
Cohen first appeared on Toast of the Town on October 15, 1950, marking his first live television performance. At the time, he was just beginning to transition into comedy after a successful career as a textile salesman. His customers were so entertained by his quick wit and vivid stories that they insisted he belonged on stage, not in the showroom. Encouraged by this, Cohen made the leap into comedy, and never looked back. Years later while reflecting on his vivid career he credited journalist Barbara Walter’s father, nightclub owner Lou Walters, with helping him get his show business start.
His unique act, shaped by his years in the garment business, featured character-driven tales told in a friendly storyteller way. Though he often used Yiddish, Irish, or Italian dialects, Cohen avoided stereotypes and derogatory portrayals, believing that humor should be rooted in taste. “It was never the dialect that offended,” he once said. “It was the stories that were told.” In his everyday speech Cohen had no accent.
Cohen’s frequent Sullivan appearances led him to national fame and helped solidify his place as a headliner in New York’s legendary Borscht Belt resorts and comedy night clubs across America like the Copacabana and the Latin Quarter. His relaxed style of delivery stood out in a time of fast-talking comics, making him a favorite among audiences of all backgrounds. He also recorded several comedy albums that are now collector’s items.
Comic Henny Youngman, Cohen’s contemporary, in friendly jealousy would comment that Cohen was on Sullivan more times than him! Yet the friends would exchange jokes, with Youngman giving Cohen one about a Jewish man hit by a car. The police officer on the scene questioned the male victim asking, “Are you comfortable?”, as he covered him with a blanket. The victim responded, “I make a nice living!”
Cohen continued to perform for decades, with a career that spanned more than 40 years. He passed away in 1986 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as one of the great comic voices of his generation, and one of The Ed Sullivan Show‘s most beloved and cherished guests.