About Ernie Kovacs Unquestionably, A Video Visionary Ernie Kovacs's cigar (see our Trivia Quiz for type) was a trademark pro. Kovacs was married twice, the second time to Edie Adams, a singer and actress who appeared on his show... Kovacs was played by actor Jeff Goldblum in the 1984 TV movie Between the Laughter... Kovacs was killed while driving a Corvair, the car featured in Ralph Nader's 1965 critique of the automotive industry.

Ernie's innovative techniques for utilizing video technology in comedy, no easy task in the tech primitive 50's, nevertheless would stand up if broadcast today. SNL players and crew revere Ernie Kovacs as their foundation.

Ernie Kovacs is one of the greatest role models who any sketch comedian or producer of a sketch comedy show (such as Lorne Michaels) may refer to as a television satire prioneer. Born on January 23rd, 1919 in Trenton, New Jersey, Ernest Edward Kovacs has often been referred to as "Television�s Original Genius." Believe me, folks, this is a moniker that is quite appropriate when used to describe this brilliant man.

While in high school, Ernie was influenced greatly by his drama teacher, Harold Van Kirk. Upon graduation he went to acting school and through a series of bizarre events ended up as a Disc Jockey on Trenton radio station WTTM.The affable and hysterically funny Ernie quickly became a huge hit with Trentonians and soon had his own newspaper column. This led to a stint starting in 1949-50 at WPTZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia.

The video medium was brand new, and Ernie was young and brimming with fresh and innovative ideas to bring to this new toy. And in bringing his considerable gifts to the airwaves, he changed the way we view television forever.

Ernie Kovacs was the first performer to realize how to use television�s intrinsic qualities to make a comedically visual statement. And, he created characters which influenced everyone from SNL to David Letterman and beyond. Read the book "Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs" by Diana Rico to find out more. Clicking the book title will take you to a page where you can purchase it.

Tragically, a car accident in Los Angeles on January 12th 1962 took Ernie from us, at the height of his popularity. But, his large legend lives forever.