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CNN Live At Daybreak

Milton Berle Dies at 93

Aired March 28, 2002 - 06:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The man known as Mr. Television and Uncle Miltie is being mourned and remembered today. Milton Berle died in his sleep yesterday at his Los Angeles home. He was 93 years old.

Our Eric Horng looks back at Berle's amazing 88-year-long career.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC HORNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His nickname was "Mr. Television," but Milton Berle's legend extended far beyond the tube. He could sing, he could dance, but he was famous for making us laugh. Berle's career spanned more than 80 years - a star in film, on stage and on television.

MILTON BERLE, ENTERTAINER: Makeup!

HORNG: At a time when TV was in its infancy, his weekly comedy hour for Texaco established Berle as a Tuesday night fixture in millions of homes. Viewers tuned in to see Berle dressed in his trademark drag and fell in love with his acerbic wit.

BERLE: The Texaco show was a live show. They got what they saw, they saw what they got. And if you made a blooper, you couldn't take it over.

HORNG: Berle became Hollywood royalty, and that was reflected in his guests, from Lewis and Martin to Peter Lorre...

BERLE: You remember the old Berle, don't you?

PETER LORRE, ACTOR: I do.

BERLE: Yeah?

LORRE: It's the only thing that ever frightened me.

HORNG: ... to Elvis Presley.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He didn't just enter, he burst on stage like a crazy animal let out of a cage. And you couldn't take your eyes off of him. And when he was in a scene with other people, you watched Milton.

HORNG: In his later years, Berle continued to make people laugh, often making guest appearances on TV shows.

BERLE: Move that check.

HORNG: His 90th birthday celebration in 1998 drew a virtual who's who of Hollywood, with parties on both coasts. President Clinton even attended the New York gala. Berle was inducted into the hall of fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Forever immortalized as the funny man with a heart, who helped put TV on the map.

Eric Horng, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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