RIP Larry "Bud" Melman....

Deberg_1990 · 03-21-2007, 05:46 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070321/...rry_bud_melman

NEW YORK - The balding, bespectacled nebbish who gained cult status as the oddball Larry "Bud" Melman on David Letterman's late night television shows has died after a long illness. The Brooklyn-born Calvert DeForest, who was 85, died Monday at a hospital on Long Island, the Letterman show announced Wednesday. He made dozens of appearances on Letterman's shows from 1982 through 2002, handling a variety of twisted duties: dueting with Sonny Bono on "I Got You, Babe," doing a Mary Tyler Moore impression during a visit to Minneapolis, handing out hot towels to arrivals at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

"Everyone always wondered if Calvert was an actor playing a character, but in reality he was just himself — a genuine, modest and nice man," Letterman said in a statement. "To our staff and to our viewers, he was a beloved and valued part of our show, and we will miss him."

The gnomish DeForest was working as a file clerk at a drug rehabilitation center when show producers, who had seen him in a New York University student's film, came calling. His was the first face to greet viewers when Letterman's NBC show debuted on Feb. 1, 1982, offering a parody of the prologue to the Boris Karloff film "Frankenstein."

"It was the greatest thing that had happened in my life," he once said of his first Letterman appearance.

DeForest, given the nom de tube of Melman, became a program regular. The collaboration continued when the talk show host launched "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS in 1994.

Cue cards were often DeForest's television kryptonite, and his character inevitably appeared in an ill-fitting black suit behind thick black-rimmed glasses.

The Melman character opened Letterman's first CBS show, too — but used his real name because of a dispute with NBC over "intellectual property." DeForest, positioned inside the network's familiar eye logo, announced, "This is CBS!"

DeForest often draw laughs by his bizarre juxtaposition as a "Late Show" correspondent at events such as the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway or the anniversary Woodstock concert that year.

His last appearance on "Late Show" came in 2002, celebrating his 81st birthday.

DeForest also appeared in an assortment of other television shows and films, including "Nothing Lasts Forever" with Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.

As per his request, there will be no funeral service for DeForest, who left no survivors. Donations can be made in his name to the Actors' Fund of America

bogie · 03-21-2007, 05:51 PM

He was very, very funny. RIP.

**gblowfish** · 03-21-2007, 05:57 PM

I remember him doing the Mary Tyler Moore thing in Mnpls. Throwing a little knit hat up in the air. Too Funny. 85 is a good ride. He's probably saying "See Ya Later, Suckers!"

**Bugeater** · 03-21-2007, 06:01 PM

Well that's a bummer. He was hilarious back in the day when Letterman was on NBC.

Halfcan · 03-21-2007, 06:05 PM

RIP bud

siberian khatru · 03-21-2007, 06:10 PM

I saw Larry Bud Melman "in concert" at MU, I believe 1984, because I think it was a Saturday night after we lost at home to Notre Dame. He was hilarious.

Extra Point · 03-21-2007, 06:12 PM

I saw him at the old Barney Allis Plaza at one of the Friday gatherings. He was s*** faced and kind of grudgingly obliging the crowd.

**Easy 6** · 03-21-2007, 06:12 PM

This saddens me far more than losing Knight or the 'Tude, but man, he looked 95 way back in the day.

Loved ya Lare.

Ozarks-Chiefs-Fan · 03-21-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I saw Larry Bud Melman "in concert" at MU, I believe 1984, because I think it was a Saturday night after we lost at home to Notre Dame. He was hilarious.

I was at that show also. It's all kinda of a blur now. But I had a lot of fun that day and night.

big nasty kcnut · 03-21-2007, 07:06 PM

RIP bud

chagrin · 03-21-2007, 08:20 PM

I started watching Letterman in 1985, Larry Bud was very funny, but as the other dude said, he looked 85 back then also. RIP, thanks for the memories

ChiefaRoo · 03-21-2007, 08:29 PM

I saw him at Late Night with Larry Brown back in the day. I think it was the second one. He made one comment and left. Kinda've like Michael Buffer does now.

**Bob Dole** · 03-21-2007, 08:31 PM

Everyone should go out tomorrow and pass out complimentary hot towels.

Megbert · 03-21-2007, 08:55 PM

I'll always miss the 'Toast on a Stick'

RIP.

Archie F. Swin · 03-22-2007, 07:58 AM

go 'head Bud

03-21-2007, 05:46 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $164454	RIP Larry "Bud" Melman.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070321/...rry_bud_melman NEW YORK - The balding, bespectacled nebbish who gained cult status as the oddball Larry "Bud" Melman on David Letterman's late night television shows has died after a long illness. The Brooklyn-born Calvert DeForest, who was 85, died Monday at a hospital on Long Island, the Letterman show announced Wednesday. He made dozens of appearances on Letterman's shows from 1982 through 2002, handling a variety of twisted duties: dueting with Sonny Bono on "I Got You, Babe," doing a Mary Tyler Moore impression during a visit to Minneapolis, handing out hot towels to arrivals at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. "Everyone always wondered if Calvert was an actor playing a character, but in reality he was just himself — a genuine, modest and nice man," Letterman said in a statement. "To our staff and to our viewers, he was a beloved and valued part of our show, and we will miss him." The gnomish DeForest was working as a file clerk at a drug rehabilitation center when show producers, who had seen him in a New York University student's film, came calling. His was the first face to greet viewers when Letterman's NBC show debuted on Feb. 1, 1982, offering a parody of the prologue to the Boris Karloff film "Frankenstein." "It was the greatest thing that had happened in my life," he once said of his first Letterman appearance. DeForest, given the nom de tube of Melman, became a program regular. The collaboration continued when the talk show host launched "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS in 1994. Cue cards were often DeForest's television kryptonite, and his character inevitably appeared in an ill-fitting black suit behind thick black-rimmed glasses. The Melman character opened Letterman's first CBS show, too — but used his real name because of a dispute with NBC over "intellectual property." DeForest, positioned inside the network's familiar eye logo, announced, "This is CBS!" DeForest often draw laughs by his bizarre juxtaposition as a "Late Show" correspondent at events such as the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway or the anniversary Woodstock concert that year. His last appearance on "Late Show" came in 2002, celebrating his 81st birthday. DeForest also appeared in an assortment of other television shows and films, including "Nothing Lasts Forever" with Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. As per his request, there will be no funeral service for DeForest, who left no survivors. Donations can be made in his name to the Actors' Fund of America
Posts: 68,610

03-21-2007, 05:51 PM	#2
bogie West Coast Chief Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Casino cash: $10004900	He was very, very funny. RIP. __________________
Posts: 3,562

03-21-2007, 05:57 PM	#3
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16886178 VARSITY	I remember him doing the Mary Tyler Moore thing in Mnpls. Throwing a little knit hat up in the air. Too Funny. 85 is a good ride. He's probably saying "See Ya Later, Suckers!"
Posts: 41,016

03-21-2007, 06:01 PM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Well that's a bummer. He was hilarious back in the day when Letterman was on NBC.
Posts: 70,546

03-21-2007, 06:05 PM	#5
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	RIP bud
Posts: 43,200

03-21-2007, 06:10 PM	#6
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $-1305050	I saw Larry Bud Melman "in concert" at MU, I believe 1984, because I think it was a Saturday night after we lost at home to Notre Dame. He was hilarious.
Posts: 71,902

03-21-2007, 06:12 PM	#7
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	I saw him at the old Barney Allis Plaza at one of the Friday gatherings. He was s*** faced and kind of grudgingly obliging the crowd. __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845

03-21-2007, 06:12 PM	#8
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $-122225	This saddens me far more than losing Knight or the 'Tude, but man, he looked 95 way back in the day. Loved ya Lare.
Posts: 98,430

03-21-2007, 07:06 PM	#10
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $-2169100	RIP bud __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
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03-21-2007, 08:20 PM	#11
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missoula, Mt Casino cash: $9804905	I started watching Letterman in 1985, Larry Bud was very funny, but as the other dude said, he looked 85 back then also. RIP, thanks for the memories __________________ Times have changed, so have I, things are better now.
Posts: 13,414

03-21-2007, 08:29 PM	#12
ChiefaRoo MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin,TX Casino cash: $3927505	I saw him at Late Night with Larry Brown back in the day. I think it was the second one. He made one comment and left. Kinda've like Michael Buffer does now.
Posts: 11,953

03-21-2007, 08:31 PM	#13
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1274563	Everyone should go out tomorrow and pass out complimentary hot towels.
Posts: 51,585

03-21-2007, 08:55 PM	#14
Megbert New and shiny. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: KC KS Casino cash: $9270260	I'll always miss the 'Toast on a Stick' RIP.
Posts: 10,198

03-22-2007, 07:58 AM	#15
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	go 'head Bud __________________ "No Two People Will Do It The Same, You got It Down...When You Appear to Be In Pain!"
Posts: 11,800