Bob Einstein (Marty Funkhouser, Super Dave Osborne) has died
First we lost Mean Gene, and now Marty Funkhouser and Super Dave Osborne have gone as well. The latter two were both iconic characters portrayed by the great comedian and actor Bob Einstein who died today after a battle with cancer at age 76. Brother of another very funny guy, Albert Brooks, Bob got his start writing on The Smothers Brothers and Sonny & Cher variety shows in the ’60s, he created the Evil Knievel-like stuntman character Super Dave Osborne for the The John Byner Comedy Hour in the early ’70s but Super Dave soon took on a life of its own. Super Dave, whose stunts had a pretty low success rate, got his own series on Showtime in the ’80s and then an animated series in the ’90s. He continued to play Super Dave into the mid-’00s. Einstein’s other famous character is Marty Funkhouser on Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, and appeared in six seasons of the series. He also had a memorable bit part in Albert Brooks’ film Modern Romance, and was in the third season of Arrested Development.
Rest in peace, Bob. Watch some classic clips, and read tributes from everyone from Albert Brooks to Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFqwGy8OfkY
R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 2, 2019
So sad to hear this. He was amazing in Curb: I was Marty Funkhouser on the last two Radiohead tours in tribute to his beautifully pitched performance. So subtle. And to think it was all improvised. https://t.co/Mu5jH4B86w
— Jonny Greenwood (@JnnyG) January 2, 2019
Bob Einstein Dies: ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Actor Who Created Super Dave Osborne Character Was 76 – Deadline https://t.co/WxNQSWePpc
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) January 2, 2019
We lost a friend today. ♥️ thanks for all of the laughs on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Our love to Bob’s family. #BobEinstein #SuperDave. The comedy world will miss you. pic.twitter.com/aLIjq8LoVP
— Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) January 2, 2019
Whenever Bob Einstein was on Letterman as “Super Dave” it was un-missable. No one was more confident with the long payoff. A genius panel guest. Look how excited Dave is to have him on: https://t.co/WELSE0ZH8B
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 2, 2019
Thank you for a lifetime of laughs, Bob Einstein.#RIPSuperDaveOsborne
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) January 2, 2019
THE BOB EINSTEIN SUPER INTELLIGENT. FIRST TIME I SEE THE SUPER DAVE I THINK HE WAS SHOOTING. RIP BUBBA FUNKHOUSER pic.twitter.com/Agm9YtQbyH
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019
Damn! "Super Dave" and "Mean Gene" both pass away today. Both at the age of 76. Bad way to start out the new year. pic.twitter.com/TNBmKdWAQU
— Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) January 2, 2019
