Marty Feldman

Marty Feldman: A Comedic Genius with Eyes Wide Open In the annals of comedy, few figures elicit the kind of curiosity and admiration that Marty Feldman does. Known for his distinctive, bulbous eyes that set him apart from his contemporaries, Feldman harnessed this unique physical feature into an enduring career that spanned film, television, and stage. Yet, his legacy transcends his appearance; it was his sharp wit, ingenuity, and a deep understanding of the mechanics of comedy that truly defined him. Born and bred in the poverty-stricken East End of London on July 8, 1934, Martin Alan Feldman came of age amidst the post-war bustle of a reshaping metropolis. A child of Jewish immigrants, Feldman’s early years were marked by frequent hospital visits due to his prolonged health problems, chief among them, a serious thyroid condition that contributed to his later iconic look. Yet this hardship seemed to stoke his comedic fire—a common thread in the fabric of most memorable humorists. In his formative years, Feldman found an outlet in jazz, playing the trumpet with youthful zeal. The improvisational nature of jazz, with its emphasis on spontaneity and rhythm, would later inform his approach to comedy. By his late teens, Feldman had already tested the waters of show business, performing sketch comedy at local venues. His burgeoning passion led him to abandon a quickly disillusioned attempt at formal education, opting instead for the unpredictable world of the arts. The mid-1950s, a time when television was rapidly entrenching itself as a cultural cornerstone, presented the perfect landscape for Feldman's talents. As he transitioned towards writing, he found his footing in the writers' rooms of British radio and television, sharing credits on shows like "Educating Archie" and collaborating with Barry Took on the groundbreaking radio series, "The Army Game." Feldman’s knack for surreal and absurd humor would come to full bloom with "The Frost Report" in the mid-1960s, marking his entry into the limelight. Feldman’s career soared with "At Last the 1948 Show," an influential sketch series that brought him face-to-face with the rising Monty Python troupe. This series showcased Feldman's ability not only to write cleverly satirical sketches but also to perform them with a uniquely frenetic style. Here, Feldman did not just deliver lines; he physically embodied the chaos of his absurdist worlds. It was the springboard he needed to segue into a starring vehicle of his own. In 1968, "Marty," a BBC television series built around Feldman’s idiosyncratic persona, premiered. Its blend of quirky humor and biting social commentary won widespread acclaim, even earning Feldman two BAFTA awards. His success across the Atlantic was cemented with the series adaptation, "Marty Feldman’s Comedy Machine," introducing American audiences to his brand of offbeat charm and conscientious craftsmanship. Feldman's seminal moment in Hollywood arrived in 1974, with his unforgettable role as Igor (or “Eye-gor”) in Mel Brooks’ "Young Frankenstein." It was a masterstroke of comedic casting—Feldman's playful energy and distinct visage perfectly complemented the film's loving homage to the Golden Age of horror. His performance combined physical comedy with verbal slapstick, creating an indelible character who remains iconic decades later. Successively, Feldman appeared alongside Gene Wilder and Dom DeLuise in "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother," demonstrating his adeptness at ensemble comedy and alluding to the genre's greats while creating his legacy. Yet, behind his onscreen hilarity, Feldman was deeply committed to the mechanics of comedy, and he sought opportunities for further creative control. This artistic impulse led to his venture behind the camera. In 1977, Feldman directed and starred in "The Last Remake of Beau Geste," a whimsical pastiche of the classic adventure story. The film was a testament to Feldman's creative vision, blending his British sensibility with the broader reach of Hollywood. Though met with mixed reviews, it showcased his willingness to defy convention and carve out his own comedic path. Despite these triumphs, Feldman's career faced challenges in the form of failed projects and studio disputes that left him increasingly disillusioned. Nonetheless, he persevered with remarkable ventures like "In God We Tru$t" (1980), which he also co-wrote and directed. Throughout, Feldman remained true to his distinctive comedic style, even as external pressures mounted. While on location in Mexico, filming "Yellowbeard," tragedy struck. On December 2, 1982, with his heart weakened by years of poor health exacerbated by heavy smoking, Feldman succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 48. His untimely departure left a void in the world of comedy, yet his contributions endure. Marty Feldman’s life was a mosaic of contradictions—at once a man of profound ambition and immense humility. His comedy remains a touchstone for those who seek to blend the anarchic with the humane, the outlandish with the insightful. Forever remembered for his wild, wide eyes, Marty Feldman saw the world differently, and in doing so, made the world that much richer with laughter.