Paul Lynde

Paul Edward Lynde (June 13, 1926 – January 10, 1982) was an American comedian, actor, and game-show panelist. Known for a campy, snarky stage persona that frequently hinted at his closeted homosexuality, he became famous as Uncle Arthur on *Bewitched*, the flustered father Harry MacAfee in *Bye Bye Birdie*, and the long-running "center square" on *The Hollywood Squares* from 1968 to 1981. He also lent his voice to five Hanna-Barbera cartoons. During his career, Lynde often topped audience polls as a favorite TV star and earned widespread respect from his peers. Mel Brooks once said Lynde could get laughs reading "a phone book, tornado alert, or seed catalogue." Lynde himself noted that while he would have preferred recognition as a serious actor, "we live in a world that needs laughter and I've decided if I can make people laugh, I'm making a more important contribution."

Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Lynde was the fifth of six children. His parents, Sylvia Bell Lynde and Hoy Corydon Lynde, ran a meat market. He had older sisters Grace and Helen, older brothers Richard Hoy and Coradon George, and a younger brother, John. His favorite brother, Coradon, died in 1944 at age 21 while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1949, his parents died within three months of each other. Lynde graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1944, where he played bass drum in the band. He then studied speech and drama at Northwestern University, counting Cloris Leachman, Charlotte Rae, Patricia Neal, Jeffrey Hunter, and Claude Akins among his classmates. Active in theater, he joined the Upsilon chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma and graduated in 1948.

After college, Lynde moved to New York City, working odd jobs while seeking his break. His first comic performance was at the supper club Number One Fifth Avenue. He made his Broadway debut in the revue *New Faces of 1952*, alongside Eartha Kitt, Robert Clary, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. His monologue, "Trip of the Month Club," featured him on crutches recounting a disastrous African safari with his late wife. The show was filmed and released as *New Faces* in 1954. He later co-starred in the short-lived 1956 sitcom *Stanley* with Buddy Hackett and Carol Burnett, and guest-starred on *The Martha Raye Show* that year. In 1960, he returned to Broadway as Harry MacAfee in *Bye Bye Birdie*, a role he reprised in the 1963 film. That year, he released a live album, *Recently Released*, writing all six tracks himself; once he could afford writers, he rarely used his own material until *The Hollywood Squares*.

Throughout the 1960s, Lynde was in high demand. During the 1961–62 TV season, he was a regular on *The Perry Como Show* as part of the Kraft Music Hall players with Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, and Sandy Stewart. He appeared frequently on sitcoms such as *The Phil Silvers Show*, *The Farmer's Daughter*, *The Patty Duke Show*, *The Munsters*, *The Flying Nun*, *Gidget*, *I Dream of Jeannie*, and *F Troop*, as well as variety shows like *The Ed Sullivan Show* and *The Dean Martin Show*. He also appeared in films including *Send Me No Flowers* and *The Glass Bottom Boat*, both starring Doris Day.

Lynde first appeared on *Bewitched* in March 1965, playing a nervous driving instructor named Harold Harold. The role was well received, and series star Elizabeth Montgomery and her husband, producer-director William Asher, created the recurring part of Uncle Arthur, Endora's practical-joking brother. Lynde appeared as Uncle Arthur ten times, from October 1965 to February 1971. He, Montgomery, and Asher became close friends and were often seen together off set.

Lynde starred in four failed TV pilots in the 1960s: *Howie* (1962), *Two's Company* (1965), *Sedgewick Hawk-Styles: Prince of Danger* (1966), and *Manley and the Mob* (1967). Only the Victorian detective spoof *Sedgewick Hawk-Styles* was initially picked up by ABC, but it was canceled at the last minute. Asher later noted that ABC had reservations about Lynde, particularly his increasingly erratic offscreen behavior and persistent rumors of his homosexuality.

Lynde debuted on *The Hollywood Squares* in 1966 and quickly became its iconic guest star. He eventually took a permanent spot as the "center square," ensuring he would be called on by contestants nearly every round. Contrary to an urban legend, his contract did not guarantee the center square; producers placed him there at their discretion. On the show, Lynde showcased his comedic talent with short, salty one-liners delivered in his signature snickering style. Many jokes contained thinly veiled references to his homosexuality, while others relied on double entendre or an alleged fondness for drink.