Laugh-in Cast Deaths That Were Way Too Tragic

Who could forget even one of the staple actors in the Laugh-In cast? Their wacky characters, often stinging satire, and ability to poke fun at institutions and counter-culture alike made this off-beat TV show a pioneering phenomenon of the 1960s and early 1970s. The show was so popular that it was renewed for six seasons, airing 140 episodes over five years. Not only that, but Laugh-In pretty much invented late-night television viewing.

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A young Lorne Micheals, the genius behind Saturday Night Live (SNL) was a member of the original writing team. Watch the Laugh-In cast, and you can easily spot the similarities between the two sketch shows. If you were a member of the Laugh-In cast, you were bound to head onto fame and fortune. And this was certainly true for many of the show’s regular comedians. Lily Tomlin and Goldie Hawn both have superstar careers in film and TV, for example. They are, however, among the few cast members still surviving today.

Most have sadly passed away. Laugh-In was hosted by two rascally fellows: Dan Rowan and Dick Martin–neither of whom are with us today. Rowan played what was called the “straight man” of the duo. His character was steady, somber, very much a square, and constantly unsatisfied with his life. His sourness was pitted perfectly against the bumbling, dense character played by Martin. Though Martin moved onto directing after the cancellation of Laugh-In, Rowan quickly tired of celebrity life and retired to his houseboat in France. A few other Laugh-In cast members also failed to thrive following the show’s end in 1973.

Judy Carne, best known for her catchphrase, “Sock it to me,” got into trouble with a law numerous times over drug charges, was briefly married to Burt Reynolds, and then faded into obscurity. Shockingly, the ultra-funny Arte Johnston also found the grueling workload of Laugh-In too demanding. He left the show after the fourth season to spend more time on his own projects. Other actors made it even bigger after Laugh-In, most notably Richard Dawsons, who found his happy place and superstardom as the beloved host of Family Feud.

If you want to know how all these endlessly funny actor’s lives came to an end, you’ll have to watch the video! Then, after you’ve watched it, give it a thumbs up and share it with other Laugh-In fans. And don’t forget to head over to the Facts Verse channel to subscribe and ring that notification bell.

Laugh-in Cast Deaths That Were Way Too Tragic