About David Brenner
David Norris Brenner (February 4, 1936 - March 15, 2014) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author, described as a pioneer of observational comedy. Born to Jewish parents and raised in South and West Philadelphia, he served in the U.S. Army before attending Temple University, and worked as a writer, director, or producer of 115 television documentaries, winning nearly 30 awards including an Emmy, before moving to comedy. His first paid gig was at The Improv in June 1969. He became the most frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1970s and 1980s, with 158 appearances, and guest-hosted for Carson 75 times. Brenner starred in four HBO specials, wrote five books, released the comedy album Excuse Me, Are You Reading That Paper?, and briefly hosted his own late-night talk show, Nightlife. He was ranked No. 53 on Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time and died of pancreatic cancer in 2014.
Videos (15)
Videos 1 to 15 of 15.
1:29GILBERT GOTTFRIED IMPERSONATES JERRY SEINFELD AND DAVID BRENNER
99.5K views
6:55FAT PEOPLE ON AIRPLANES - DAVID BRENNER STAND UP
15.9K views
13:34WILLEM DAFOE TALKS PLATOON - 1986
7.5K views
10:09Young John Malkovich | Interview with David Brenner - 1986
3.5K views
11:03Young Sugar Ray Leonard - Interview with David Brenner (1986)
3.2K views
3:55Loree Jon Jones | Women in Pool
2.9K views
9:00OOPS! HOWARD STERN POPS A WOODY ON LIVE TV!
2.2K views
5:37THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN - DAVID BRENNER
1.3K views
7:26ZAPPA FAMILY INTERVIEW! 1986
916 views
8:33DON IMUS CALLED OUT LIVE BY DAVID BRENNER
485 views
15:48GREATEST BOXING INTERVIEWS OF ALL TIME | TYSON & RAGING BULL
485 views
43:29DAVID BRENNER'S SUCCESS STORY - UCLA 1983
437 views
13:08HOW I WRITE MUSIC - DOLLY PARTON
383 views
18:29FRANK ZAPPA NIGHTLIFE - 1987 (FULL EPISODE)
185 views
12:48HOWARD STERN DESTROYS TV SET
183 viewsGuest appearances (6)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring David Brenner.
Guest appearances 1 to 6 of 6.
5:06David Brenner Stand Up Comedy Routine on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show - 1983
Johnny Carson
175.3K views
9:31David Brenner's Rare First Appearance | Carson Tonight Show
Johnny Carson
58.3K views
3:23The David Brenner Show - Nightlife Clip
Fred Stoller
1.3K views
8:30Night Life with David Brenner - Clip 1
Fred Stoller
1.2K views
5:58Night Life with David Brenner - Clip 2
Fred Stoller
906 views
2:20The David Brenner Show - Two Writer's Fight Clip
Fred Stoller
404 viewsChannels on this page: Johnny Carson, Fred Stoller
Frequently asked questions
Who was David Brenner?
David Brenner (February 4, 1936 - March 15, 2014) was an American stand-up comedian, actor and author, described as a pioneer of observational comedy.
What did David Brenner do before comedy?
After serving in the U.S. Army and attending Temple University, Brenner worked as a writer, director or producer of 115 television documentaries and won nearly 30 awards, including an Emmy.
How many times was David Brenner on The Tonight Show?
Brenner made 158 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1970s and 1980s, more than any other guest, and he guest-hosted for Carson 75 times.
When was David Brenner's first paid gig?
David Brenner's first paid comedy gig was at The Improv in June 1969.
Did David Brenner have his own talk show?
Yes, Brenner briefly hosted his own late-night talk show, Nightlife. He also starred in four HBO specials and wrote five books.
What is David Brenner's comedy album?
Brenner released the comedy album Excuse Me, Are You Reading That Paper?, and Comedy Central ranked him No. 53 on its 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.
