Soupy Sales

Date of Birth: January 8, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: October 22, 2009

Biography

Soupy Sales, born Milton Supman, was an American comedian and actor who became a cultural icon through his slapstick humor and zany antics. Born in Franklinton, North Carolina, Sales developed an interest in entertainment at a young age. After graduating from Marshall University, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. Sales began his career in radio before transitioning to television, where he found significant success. He is best known for “The Soupy Sales Show,” which aired in various forms from the 1950s through the 1960s. His show was famous for its slapstick comedy, particularly the pie-in-the-face gag, and it featured a variety of guest stars and recurring puppet characters like White Fang and Black Tooth. Besides his television work, Sales made appearances in films and on Broadway, and he was a frequent guest on game shows and talk shows. Sales’ humor and irreverent style made him a beloved figure, particularly among children and teenagers.

5 Interesting Facts about Soupy Sales

1. Soupy Sales received his nickname “Soupy” from his family; “Soup Bone” was a playful moniker that evolved into Soupy.

2. He was one of the few comedians who managed to transition successfully from radio to television.

3. Sales’ famous pie-in-the-face gag reportedly resulted in him being hit with over 20,000 pies throughout his career.

4. His show, “Lunch with Soupy Sales,” once led to a nationwide controversy when he jokingly asked children to send him “green pieces of paper” from their parents’ wallets.

5. He was a jazz aficionado and even released a novelty record titled “Do the Mouse,” which made it onto the Billboard charts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Soupy Sales

1. “Be true to your teeth and they won’t be false to you.”

2. “I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.”

3. “A man can always use a little more than he’s got.”

4. “I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.”

5. “The nice thing about doing a crossword puzzle is, you know there is a solution.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Soupy Sales achieved a net worth of approximately $5 million.

Children

Soupy Sales had two sons, Tony Sales and Hunt Sales, both of whom became musicians. They played with notable acts such as David Bowie’s Tin Machine and Iggy Pop.