Paul Lynde
Campy comedian, actor, and iconic center square panelist.
via Wikipedia: Paul Lynde · see source
Paul Edward Lynde (June 13, 1926 – January 10, 1982) was an American comedian, actor, and game-show panelist. A character actor with a distinctively campy and snarky persona that often poked fun at his closeted homosexuality, Lynde was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched, as the befuddled father Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, and as a regular "center square" panelist on the game show The Hollywood Squares from 1968 to 1981. He also voiced animated characters for five Hanna-Barbera productions. Lynde regularly topped audience polls of most-liked TV stars and was routinely admired and recognized by his peers during his lifetime. Mel Brooks once described Lynde as being capable of getting laughs by reading "a phone book, tornado alert, or seed catalogue."
- born
- June 13, 1926, Mount Vernon, Ohio
- died
- January 10, 1982
- field
- Comedian, actor, game-show panelist
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Uncle Arthur on Bewitched, Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, center square on The
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Paul Lynde was born on June 13, 1926, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the fifth of six siblings. His parents owned and operated a meat market. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1944, where he played the bass drum in the band, then studied speech and drama at Northwestern University, graduating in 1948. His classmates included Cloris Leachman, Charlotte Rae, and Patricia Neal. After college, he moved to New York City, taking odd jobs while looking for his break. His first comic appearance was at the supper club Number One Fifth Avenue. He made his Broadway debut in the hit revue New Faces of 1952, co-starring with Eartha Kitt, Robert Clary, Alice Ghostley, and Carol Lawrence. His monologue "Trip of the Month Club" was featured in the 1954 film New Faces. Lynde's career flourished in the 1960s. He debuted on Bewitched in 1965 as driving instructor Harold Harold, then returned as Uncle Arthur, making ten appearances. He starred in four failed television pilots in the 1960s: Howie (1962), Two's Company (1965), Sedgewick Hawk-Styles: Prince of Danger (1966), and Manley and the Mob (1967). He became a regular on The Hollywood Squares in 1966, eventually assuming the permanent center square. He appeared in 1,083 episodes, leaving in 1979 but returning in 1980 until the show's cancellation in February 1981. He also voiced characters for Hanna-Barbera, including Templeton in Charlotte's Web (1973), Mildew Wolf in It's the Wolf!, Claude Pertwee on Where's Huddles?, and Sylvester Sneekly (Hooded Claw) in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop.
Reader's Guide
Paul Lynde's significance lies in his distinctive comedic persona and his impact on television. His campy, snarky delivery, often laced with double entendre and allusions to his closeted homosexuality, made him a beloved figure on The Hollywood Squares, where his short, salty one-liners became iconic. He regularly topped audience polls of most-liked TV stars and was admired by peers; Mel Brooks said Lynde could get laughs reading a phone book. Lynde's role as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and as Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie cemented his place in pop culture. Despite his success, he once said that while he would rather be recognized as a serious actor, "we live in a world that needs laughter and I've decided if I can make people laugh, I'm making a more important contribution." His legacy endures through his voice work and his status as a game-show legend, though his career was marked by tensions over his homosexuality and erratic offscreen behavior, as noted by producer William Asher, who said ABC had reservations about Lynde due to these issues.
Did You Know?
- Lynde's favorite brother, Coradon, died in 1944 at age 21 while serving in the US Army during World War II.
- He played the bass drum in his high school band at Mount Vernon High School.
- Lynde recorded a live album in 1963 titled Recently Released, writing all six tracks himself.
- He appeared in 1,083 episodes of The Hollywood Squares.
- Lynde's distinctive voice is popular among impressionists, and according to Kaye Ballard, it was Lynde who was influenced by Alice Ghostley, not the other way around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Lynde?
Paul Lynde was an American comedian, actor, and game-show panelist born in Mount Vernon, Ohio in 1926. He became a beloved figure in television and theater for his sharp, campy wit and memorable character work spanning the 1960s through the early 1980s.
What made Paul Lynde's comedic style stand out?
Lynde cultivated a deliberately over-the-top, snarky persona that leaned heavily into camp sensibilities. He often used humor to gently mock the constraints of his own closeted homosexuality, making his performances both hilarious and quietly subversive for their era.
What are Paul Lynde's most iconic roles?
He is best remembered as the eccentric Uncle Arthur on Bewitched, as the bumbling father Harry MacAfee in the musical Bye Bye Birdie, and as the long-running center square on The Hollywood Squares. He also lent his voice to characters across five Hanna-Barbera animated series.
What did Paul Lynde do on The Hollywood Squares?
From 1968 to 1981, Lynde occupied the coveted center square, where he interacted directly with contestants and delivered his trademark wisecracks. His thirteen-year tenure made him one of the most recognizable faces in American game-show history during that stretch.
When did Paul Lynde pass away?
Paul Lynde died on January 10, 1982, at the age of fifty-five. His passing cut short a career that had already left a lasting mark on comedy, theater, and television.
More in Comedy Legends 1-24
Elsewhere in the Comedy Legends universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record