Paul Edward Lynde (June 13, 1927 – January 10, 1982) was an American comedian and actor.
He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio to Hoy and Sylvia (neé Bell Doup) Lynde.


A noted character actor, Lynde was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched (which established the "funny uncle" cliché) and Harry McAfee, the befuddled father in Bye Bye Birdie. He was also the center square on the classic game show Hollywood Squares from 1968 to 1981.

Lynde first got recognition in the Broadway revue New Faces of 1952 in which he co-starred opposite fellow newcomers Eartha Kitt, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. One notable skit involved Lynde as a husband in crutches coming back from an African safari. The play was filmed into a movie in 1954. After the revue's run, Lynde co-starred in the short-lived sitcom Stanley opposite Buddy Hackett and Carol Burnett, both of whom were also starting out their careers in show business. He became a regular on several sitcoms and variety shows such as The Perry Como Show.

Lynde did extensive voice work on animated cartoons, particularly those of Hanna-Barbera Productions. His most notable Hanna-Barbera roles were those of Sylvester Sneakly (a.k.a. "The Hooded Claw") in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, Mildew Wolf from The Cattanooga Cats and Laff-a-Lympics, Pertwee from ‘’Where's Huddles?’’, and Templeton the rat from the animated feature Charlotte's Web.

Lynde was found dead in his Beverly Hills home by friend Paul Barresi. The coroner ruled the death a heart attack.

Lynde was widely known to be gay in Hollywood. But despite his stereotypically flamboyant mannerisms and sometimes rather overtly-gay double entendres on Hollywood Squares, he never publicly acknowledged his homosexuality. In fact, Lynde was affectionately nicknamed "America's Most-Eligible Bachelor" by the public, perhaps in seeking a logical reason for his lack of a wife.

The character of Roger on American Dad! is evidently based on Lynde.



Quotes from Hollywood Squares

Q: You're the world's most popular fruit. What are you?
Lynde: Humble.

Q: What is a "dual purpose cow?"
Lynde: It gives milk and cookies. But I wouldn't recommend the cookies.

Q: It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics. What is the other?
Lynde: Tape measures.

Q: Why do the Hells Angels wear leather?
Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles so easily.

Q: What do you do if you are driving downhill and your brakes give out?
Lynde: Honk if you love Jesus.

Q: Which is better looking, a pixie or a fairy?
Lynde: I'll go for the fairy.

Q: What is the most abused and neglected part of the body?
Lynde: Well, mine may be abused but it certainly isn't neglected.

Q: Why was Nathan Hale hung?
Lynde: Heredity.


Lynde Tribute Page

www.tedstrong.com/lynde.shtml

Lynde Fansite

www.paullynde.info/

IMDB

www.imdb.com/name/nm0001489/

Pauls page at ClassicSquares

www.classicsquares.com/lyndesquares.html

Paul/Uncle Arthurs page at HarpiesBizarre

www.harpiesbizarre.com/beogra...nde.htm