Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Arte Johnson, 1929-2019

The Robert Benchley Society is saddened by the death of friend and supporter, Arte Johnson. Johnson was an American comic actor who was a regular on television's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. His best-remembered characters on the sketch show were a German soldier with the catchphrase "Verrrry interesting...", and an old man who habitually propositioned Ruth Buzzi's spinster character.

In 2012 he was the celebrity judge of the Robert Benchley Award for Humor and was the after dinner speaker at the Society's October 13, 2012, Annual Gathering, in Los Angeles.

Johnson with 2012 RBS First Place winner, Tim French.

Johnson with competition runner-up, Jesse Levy.

Robert Benchley Society

For more information about the Robert Benchley Society, local chapters near you, our annual Award for Humor, and our Annual Gathering, visit The RBS Website