Pat McCormick American actor and comedian Date of Birth: 30.06.1927 Country: USA

1. Biography of Pat McCormick
2. Early Life and Career
3. Television and Film Career
4. Acting Career
5. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Pat McCormick

Pat McCormick, an American actor and comedian, is best known for his role as Big Enos Burdette in the comedy film 'Smokey and the Bandit' and its two sequels. He wrote comedy routines for several performers, including Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, and Phyllis Diller, as well as scripts for TV shows such as 'Get Smart'. McCormick's distinctive appearance, standing at 2.01 meters tall and weighing almost 115 kg, with drooping walrus-like mustaches, made it impossible to mistake him for anyone else.

Early Life and Career

Pat McCormick was born on June 30, 1927, in Rocky River, Ohio. He graduated from a local high school in 1945 and was an athlete during his school years. He served in the army and later shifted his focus from his once-beloved basketball to hurdles. He abandoned Harvard Law School to pursue a career in advertising but soon gave up on that endeavor. McCormick turned to writing and found success as a writer for television and stand-up comedians. He became a writer for Jack Paar on 'The Jack Paar Show' and worked on scripts for shows like 'Get Smart', 'The Danny Kaye Show', and 'Candid Camera'.

Television and Film Career

In the early 1960s, McCormick was a part of the production team for the game show 'I've Got a Secret'. He was both the host and partner of comedian Don Rickles on 'The Don Rickles Show' in 1968. He made frequent appearances on 'The New Bill Cosby Show' in 1972. Behind the scenes, Pat became one of the leading writers for 'The Tonight Show', working on some of the most famous episodes, including the sketch titled 'Due to today's earthquake, the 'God is dead' rally is canceled'.

Acting Career

As an actor, McCormick made his big-screen debut in the family comedy 'The Shaggy D.A.' in 1976. In the same year, he portrayed President Grover Cleveland in the comedic Western 'Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson'. In 1977, Pat appeared in the comedy 'Smokey and the Bandit' and its two sequels in 1980 and 1983, playing the role of the wealthy conman Big Enos Burdette, while Paul Williams portrayed Little Enos Burdette. He also appeared in the television movie 'Rooster' in 1982 and the comedy-drama 'Scrooged' in 1988, alongside Bill Murray.

Later Life and Legacy

McCormick frequently appeared on various TV game shows, including 'The Gong Show' and 'I've Got a Secret'. He also had a successful career in radio and voice acting. McCormick retired in 1998 after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was then moved to the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. He passed away there seven years later on July 29, 2005. Pat is survived by his son Ben and grandson. He had a twin brother, Sergeant James McCormick from Chicago, who seemingly changed his last name.