Howard Harris

Howard Harris was a prolific comedy writer whose career spanned the golden ages of radio and television, crafting humor that delighted audiences across multiple entertainment mediums. From his early days writing humorous anecdotes to becoming a key contributor to some of the most iconic comedy shows of his era, Harris embodied the creative spirit of mid-20th century American entertainment.

Early Life and Entry into Comedy Writing

Born on February 15, 1912, Howard Harris began his professional journey in an unexpected manner. Initially enrolled in law school, he quickly discovered his true calling was not in legal practice but in comedy writing. During the summer before his final year of law school, Harris landed a job writing humorous celebrity anecdotes for a trade publication. This experience proved transformative, leading him to drop out of law school and pursue a career in comedy writing. Before World War II, Harris made the pivotal move to Hollywood, where he quickly established himself as a sought-after comedy writer. His wife, Marion Harris Linden, recalled that he was considered "one of the hottest comedy writers around" during this period. His early film work included being a screenwriter for Higher and Higher in 1943 and co-writing Copacabana in 1947.

Radio and Early Television Breakthrough

Harris's transition to radio and television marked the most significant phase of his career. In 1952, he migrated back to New York and became a comedy writer for Jackie Gleason. His most notable contribution was helping to develop a segment featuring Gleason as a loud-mouthed Brooklyn bus driver, which would later become the seed for the legendary comedy series The Honeymooners. In 1953, Harris wrote or co-wrote 14 episodes of "The Honeymooners" skits that aired within The Jackie Gleason Show. His comedic talents were further recognized when he became a writer for Groucho Marx on the archetypal comedy game show, joining the program in its second or third year and continuing to write gags for more than five years.

Expanding Horizons in Entertainment

Harris's versatility as a comedy writer was evident in his ability to adapt to different mediums. He wrote a pilot episode for Bozo the Clown and continued to explore various television opportunities. In the mid-1960s, he wrote for additional television shows, though he increasingly found it challenging to sell his work as younger comedy writers began to dominate the industry.

Personal Life and Legacy

Beyond his professional achievements, Howard Harris led a rich personal life. He was married twice - first to Jeanne Nan Gidding in 1939, with whom he had two children, Stephen and Amy, and later to Marion Linden in 1972 after Jeanne's passing. Interestingly, comedy writing seemed to run in his family, with his sisters also being prominent in entertainment: Radie Harris was a longtime gossip columnist, Lillian Harris Planer was a radio and screenwriter, and Pat Harris Liberman worked as a talent agent and casting director. Harris continued writing comedy throughout his later years, though the changing landscape of television made it increasingly difficult for older writers to find work. He passed away on March 22, 1986, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and comedic innovation.

Works and Appearances

Radio

• Various comedy writing credits (1940s-1950s)

Television

• The Jackie Gleason Show (1952-1953)
• Wrote segments for The Honeymooners

Film

• Higher and Higher (1943) - Screenwriter
• Copacabana (1947) - Co-writer
• Linda Be Good (1947) - Story writer

Howard Harris may not be a household name, but his contributions to comedy writing during radio and television's golden era were significant and memorable.