To many, Ernie Kovacs (1919-1962) was the most brilliant comedian in history. His zany, visual humor was unlike any other performer of his day. His motion pictures were a combination of slapstick and bits of humor that took intelligence to enjoy. Kovacs' television performances were even more unusual, and demanded greater concentration from the viewer.

Ernie Kovacs was born in Trenton, New Jersey on January 23, 1919. As a youngster, he was drawn to the theater and the world of entertainment. Kovacs attended the New York School of Theatre and began acting in stock companies. He avoided military service during the Second World War because of a serious illness that hospitalized him for 18 months. Between 1945 and 1950, he earned a modest living as a columnist for the Trentonian newspaper and worked as a disc jockey for a local radio station.

During his performing life from 1951 until his death in 1962, Kovacs worked...