Buck Henry Biography
Buck Henry born Henry Zuckerman was an American actor, writer, film director, and television director. Henry was a participant for an Academy Award twice, in 1968 for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Graduate and in 1979 for Best Director for Heaven Can Wait. His long career began on television with work on shows with Steve Allen and Mel Brooks as well as Saturday Night Live.
Buck Henry Early Childhood
Henry was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the son of silent film actress and star of the original Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Ruth Taylor (January 13, 1905 – April 12, 1984) and Paul Steinberg Zuckerman (April 15, 1899 – 1965), a retired Air Force brigadier general and stockbroker.
An alumnus of The Choate School, Henry also attended Dartmouth College. This is where he met Bob Rafelson and also worked on the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern humor magazine. From 1959 to 1962, as part of an elaborate hoax by comedian Alan Abel, he made public appearances as G. Clifford Prout, the quietly outraged president of the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals, who presented his point of view on talk shows.
The character of Prout, who wished to clothe all animals to prevent their ‘indecency’, was often presented as an eccentric but was otherwise taken seriously by the broadcasters who interviewed him. ‘Prout’ received many letters of support from TV viewers, and even some unsolicited monetary donations — all of which were invariably returned, as neither Henry nor Abel (who had no intention of following through on the Society’s stated aims) wanted to be accused of raising money fraudulently.
Buck Henry Television Career
His humorous character gained his attention in the film world. Henry was cast in TV programs such as The New Steve Allen Show in 1965. Then in 1964 to 1965 was when he featured in “That Was the Week That Was”. Also, he is a co-creator and writer working with Mel Brooks for getting Smart from 1965 to 1970.
He also played Dr. Victor Rudman, a fractal scientist who dated Murphy, on the “My Dinner with Einstein” episode (1989) of Murphy Brown. In 2005, he was in Will and Grace a television show. In 2007, he made two guest appearances on The Daily Show as a contributor, billed as the show’s “Senior Senior Correspondent”.
He has also appeared as Liz Lemon’s father, Dick Lemon, in the 30 Rock episodes “Ludachristmas” (December 13, 2007) and “Gentleman’s Intermission” (November 4, 2010). In 2011, he appeared in a multi-episode arc of Hot in Cleveland as Elka’s groom.
Buck Henry Age
Henry was born in a Jewish family in New York City. He was born in 1930. He celebrated his birthday every year.
Buck Henry Wife
He was previously married to Sally Henry. Henry has been in a relationship with Heidi Von Beltz (1978).
Buck Henry Body Measurements
- Height: Not Available
- Weight: Not Available
- Body Shape: Medium
- Shoe Size: Not Available
- Hair Color: Platinum White
- Eye Color: Not Available
Buck Henry Net Worth
He had an estimated net worth of 3 million US dollars as of 2019.
Buck Henry Saturday Night Live
Henry hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live 10 times between 1976 and 1980. Being the show’s most frequent host during its initial five-year run. Thus setting a record that held for nearly a decade. This figure does not include the show’s second-season Mardi Gras special, for which he was not credited as host. Rather it is classified as one of several guest comedy and musical performers.
Because he was featured more prominently than any of the other comedy performers who guested on the special episode. It was broadcast live from within the midst of Mardi Gras events in New Orleans. Sometimes Henry erroneously considered having been the host of the program. (This role could be more accurately described as having been filled by musical performer Randy Newman).
It became a tradition during these years for Henry to host the final show of each season. His first was the 1976-1977 season. Henry’s frequent host record was breaking when Steve Martin’s appearance (11th time). He was a host of the show on the finale episode of the 1988-1989 season. An injury in the episode (October 30, 1976), caused Buck Henry a forehead injury by John Belushi’s katana in the samurai sketch.
Henry’s head began to bleed and he was forced to wear a large bandage on his forehead for the rest of the show. The SNL members wore bandages on their forehead since they were gags.
Buck Henry Film Career
Henry has appeared in more than 40 films including:
- The Graduate,
- Candy,
- Catch-22,
- Taking Off,
- The Man Who Fell to Earth,
- Gloria,
- Eating Raoul,
- Aria,
- Tune in Tomorrow,
- Defending Your Life,
- The Player,
- Short Cuts,
- and Grumpy Old Men.
Buck was the co-director in “Heaven Can Wait”. This was a remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1978). Despite directing the movie, Buck also appeared in the film as an officious angel, reprising the character originally played by Edward Everett Horton.
His many writing credits include The Graduate, Candy, The Owl, and the Pussycat, What’s Up, Doc? Catch-22, The Day of the Dolphin, Protocol, and To Die For.
Henry shared an Oscar nomination with Calder Willingham for their screenplay for The Graduate (1967). He received a second shared Oscar nomination, this time for Best Director of 1978’s Heaven Can Wait, which he co-directed with the movie’s star Warren Beatty. In 1997, Henry was the recipient of the Austin Film Festival’s Distinguished Screenwriter Award.
His Broadway credits include the 2002 revival of Mornings at Seven. Off-Broadway in July 2009, he starred opposite Holland Taylor in Mother, a play by Lisa Ebersole.
Buck Henry Writing credits
Film
- The Troublemaker (1964) (with Theodore J. Flicker)
- The Graduate (1967) (with Calder Willingham)
- Candy (1968)
- Catch-22 (1970)
- The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
- Is There Sex After Death? (1971) (Uncredited)
- What’s Up, Doc? (1972) (with Peter Bogdanovich, Robert Benton, and David Newman)
- The Day of the Dolphin (1973)
- Heaven Can Wait (1978)
- First Family (1980)
- Protocol (1984)
- To Die For (1995)
- Town & Country (2001)
- The Humbling (2014) (with Michal Zebede)
Television
- That Was the Week That Was (1964) (3 episodes)
- Captain Nice (1967) (2 episodes) (creator)
- Get Smart (1965–1970) (co-creator)
- Quark (1978) (7 episodes)
- The New Show (1984) (TV) (5 episodes)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) (1 episode “Wake Me When I’m Dead”)
- Trying Times (1989) (TV) (director)
- Tales from the Crypt (1992) (1 episode)
- Great Railway Journeys (1996) (1 episode)
- Dilbert (2000) (1 episode)
Buck Henry Death
The famous screenwriter for The Graduate died of a heart attack. His death was at Cedars-Sinai Health Center, Los Angeles on 8th January 2020. His death news was confirmed by his family members. Henry has died at the age of 89.
Frequent Asked Questions About Buck Henry
Is Buck Henry dead?
Buck Henry died on 8th January 2020 at night. He suffered a heart attack while at Cedars-Sinai Health Center.
Who was Buck?
Buck Henry was one of American’s best-known and loved actors, film directors, and writers
How old was Henry?
Buck Henry died at the age of 89 years. He was born in 1930 and died in 2020.
Was Buck married?
Henry was married to Sally but later divorce. Later on, he was married to Heidi Voldz Beltz.
How much was Henry worth?
He was famous for being the screenwriter for the film, The Graduate and What’s Up Doc? and had achieved an approximate net worth of $4 million.
Is Henry dead or alive?
Buck Henry is dead and he died on 8th January 2020.
Where will Buck be buried?
His burial updates will be done soon.