Foster Brooks was one of eight sons and the son of a lawman. Getting his start in radio, Brooks was a newscaster and disc jockey in Louisville and Buffalo before making the move to television Brooks moved to L.A. in the 50s and began acting in television as well on stage as a stand-up comedian. He well known for his appearances on the Dean Martin Show and his character acting. Brooks died in California in 2001 at the age of 89.