'Mr. Television' Milton Berle dies

BOB THOMAS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Thursday, March 28, 2002

LOS ANGELES -- Milton Berle, the acerbic, cigar-smoking vaudevillian who eagerly embraced a new medium and became "Mr. Television" in the dawn of the video age, died Wednesday. He was 93.

Berle died at his home after a lengthy illness, publicist Warren Cowan said. Berle's wife, Lorna, and several family members were at his side.

Berle had been under hospice care for the past few weeks. He was diagnosed with colon cancer last year.

"He was responsible for the television set in your home today," Cowan said. "He put television on the map."

"Uncle Miltie" was the king of Tuesday nights, and store owners put up signs: "Closed tonight to watch Milton Berle."

The program's popularity spurred sales of television sets and helped make the new technology a medium for the masses.

A pioneer in television, Berle always was ready to try something new.

"Too many people simply give up too easily," he once said. "You have to keep the desire to forge ahead, and you have to be able to take the bruises of unsuccess. Success is just one long street fight."

Dudley Moore, actor, dies at 66

Dudley Moore, the man who pined for Bo Derek in "10" and starred in "Arthur," died Wednesday of complications from a rare and incurable brain disorder.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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