Charles Fleischer

Charles Fleischer
Fleischer performing at the Improv at Harrah's in Las Vegas on July 26, 2011
Born (1950-08-27) August 27, 1950 (age 74)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Other namesCharlie Fleischer
Alma materLong Island University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • stand-up comedian
  • musician
  • writer
Years active1972–present
Spouse
Sheryl Strassman
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 2006)​
Children2

Charles Fleischer (born August 27, 1950) is an American actor, stand-up comedian, musician, and writer, best known for his recurring role as Carvelli in Welcome Back, Kotter, and for appearing in films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Polar Express, Rango, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story.[1] He made a cameo in Back to the Future Part II and also reprised the role of Roger Rabbit in the Roger Rabbit theatrical shorts. After beginning his career on the comedy club circuit, Charles Fleischer's first big break in comedy television came when he made an appearance on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.[2]

Early life

Fleischer was born in Washington, D.C., on August 27, 1950. He studied medicine at Southampton College, then part of Long Island University, before transferring to study acting at Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University).[2]

Career

Fleischer is best known as the voices of Roger Rabbit,[3] Benny the Cab, Greasy, and Psycho in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. After the film's success, he continued to perform the voice of Roger in several Disney television and theme park appearances at several of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and in three follow-up shorts. Other voice roles for Fleischer include The Polar Express and We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story. Notable on-screen roles include Back to the Future Part II and Gridlock'd.

Fleischer had a recurring role on the 1970s TV series Welcome Back, Kotter as Carvelli, as Chuck on the ABC series Laverne & Shirley, and on the Disney cartoon series House of Mouse as the voice of Benny the Cab. Fleischer's first Laugh-In appearance was on January 15, 1973, where he played his homemade musical instruments made from lead pipe and shower wands. He then landed a spot on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on May 15, 1974. He was also a regular on Keep on Truckin'. He guest-starred on The Weird Al Show as a guy in a band. He also appeared on the short-lived Saturday morning show, Wacko.

Fleischer is the originator of the quote "If you remember the '60s, you really weren't there",[4] which has been widely mis-attributed to various other celebrities.[5]

He performed the role of a televangelist on "What God Wants, Part II", on Roger Waters' 1992 album Amused to Death.

He is also a musician and songwriter. He performed as a guest on harmonica with the group Blues Traveler at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on November 22, 1995 [citation needed] and from December 10 to 15, 2002 at the Improvisational theatre of Connecticut Avenue.[6]

From December 2010 to September 2011, he hosted his own weekly web show Fleischer's Universe on Ustream.tv, produced by Brad Wyman.

Charles Fleischer was inside Tropicana Las Vegas, giving an improvised comedy along with Bob Golub and Nick Aragon at the Laugh Factory from January 17 to 20, 2019.[7]

Personal life

Fleischer married Sheryl Strassman in 1977 and divorced in 2006.[8] Together they have two daughters.[9]

Filmography

Video games

Publications

References

  1. ^ Kehr, Dave (July 2, 2011). "In a Corrupt World Where the Violent Bear It Away". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Janusonis, Michael (July 7, 1989). "It's Charles Fleischer, Alias Roger Rabbit". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Maslin, Janet (June 22, 1988). "New Laws of Gravity Twist Humor, Too, in 'Roger Rabbit'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Christon, Lawrence. "The Comedy Column". Los Angeles Times. p. M60. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "If You Remember the '60s, You Really Weren't There". Quote Investigator. May 7, 2010.
  6. ^ Nuttycombe, Dave (December 6, 2002). "Charles Fleischer". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  7. ^ "Charles Fleischer at the Laugh Factory Plus This & That". The Norm. January 13, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "Sheryl Fleischer vs. Charles Fleischer". UniCourt. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Stark, John; Sheff, Vicki (July 25, 1988). "As the Voice of Roger Rabbit, Stand-Up Comic Charlie Fleischer is Finally Whistling a Happy Toon". People. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  10. ^ "Charles Fleischer, the voice behind Roger Rabbit, explores the meaning of life". San Francisco Examiner. March 25, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2024.