Entertainer Jimmy Caesar dead at 63

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998 | 8:54 a.m.

He died Friday of lung cancer. He was 63.

Caesar's impersonations led him across the United States and back, working clubs and showrooms while opening for some of the best in the industry.

Born Caesar Pasquale Tronolone in Buffalo, N.Y., Caesar did impersonations of everyone, his wife, Val Caesar, said. Stan Laurel, Boris Karloff, John Wayne and Martin & Louis were just a few on a long list of his comedic repertoire.

On occasion, the Las Vegas resident opened for Debbie Reynolds, who was considered a dear friend.

The son of a grocery store owner, Caesar was one of 17 children. The young comic was destined to be an entertainer, his sister, Ronnie Webdale, said.

"He was always entertaining everybody since he was a child. We had all kinds of backyard shows. He ran the whole show."

He was performing regularly at two clubs in Buffalo when he was 14. Shortly after, he performed at the Palace in New York.

"If you made the Palace, you made it," Mrs. Caesar said.

He was 16 years old when he made his first appearance at the Bingo Club in Las Vegas. Caesar, who also was a singer, would later play other Strip hotel-casinos, including the MGM Grand, the Sahara and the Dunes.

Caesar's television performances included guest appearances on the original Tonight Show with Steve Allen, the Keane Brothers CBS summer series and the Comedy Shop, hosted by Norm Crosby.

Caesar is survived by his wife; three daughters; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five sisters and three brothers.