8 of the Most Famous New York Friars Club Members
You don’t have to be a celebrity to be a Friars Club member, but its lifetime roster of iconic entertainers and socialites has few rivals. As a result, it is tough to create a list of the club’s most famous members without overlooking someone’s favorite celebrity.
About the New York Friars Club
Operating in New York City since 1904, the New York Friars Club resides on 57 East 55th St. in the majestic Martin Erdmann House, also known as the Monastery. Most of the members are celebrities and comedians.
The Friars Club is famous for originating “roasts,” good-natured events where members jokingly lambast the honoree with vulgar and demeaning insults. Additionally, the club sponsors about 175 events annually, including concerts, comedy shows, and film festivals. Here is a list of some of the New York Friars Club’s most famous members.
1. Frank Sinatra (Dec. 12, 1915 — May 14, 1998)
Who could deny the “Chairman of the Board” a seat at the head of the Friars Club celebrity table? Frank Sinatra’s peerless career as an actor and singer lasted over 60 years. Having sold over 150 million records worldwide, he is among the all-time best-selling recording artists with hits like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Come Fly with Me,” “My Way,” and “New York, New York.”
From about 1935 to 1998, Sinatra earned many awards and accolades, including:
- An Oscar for his supporting role in From Here to Eternity and an Oscar nomination for The Man with the Golden Arm
- 9 Grammy Award wins and 31 nominations
- Four Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2. Robin Williams (July 21, 1951- Aug. 11, 2014)
Many critics regard Chicago native Robin Williams as one of the funniest comedians in history. With his gift for improvisation and comedic timing, Williams delighted millions with his stand-up comedy and film career.
Williams initially rose to fame as the star of the hit TV sitcom Mork and Mindy. After the TV series ended, he progressed into an immensely successful stand-up comedy and movie career. Plus, he demonstrated a keen talent as a dramatic actor in several acclaimed movies. Some of his most notable movie performances were in:
- Good Morning, Vietnam
- Awakenings
- Good Will Hunting
- Mrs. Doubtfire
- The Birdcage
3. Johnny Carson (Oct.23, 1925 — Jan. 23, 2005)
From 1963 to 1992, about 6 million US television viewers stayed up until 11:30 EST each weeknight to watch The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His farewell Tonight Show appearance attracted 50 million viewers to see the curtains drawn on an era of laughs and memorable moments.
During his 60-year stint as host of The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson won six Primetime Emmy Awards, a 1985 Peabody Award, and the Television Academy’s Governor’s award in 1980. In addition, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and a Kennedy Center Honor the following year.
4. Richard Pryor (Dec. 1, 1940 — Dec.10, 2005)
Through his stand-up comedy routines and recordings, Richard Pryor’s brutally honest commentary and hilarious storytelling influenced generations of comedians during and after his career. As an actor, Pryor starred in movies like Stir Crazy and Silver Streak. His stellar work earned him an Emmy Award in 1973, five Grammy Awards, the Writer’s Guild of America Award, and the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Also, in a Rolling Stone ranking, Pryor ranked №1 on a list of the 50 funniest stand-up comics of all time.
5. Bob Hope (May 29, 1903 — July 27, 2003)
Born Leslie Townes Hope, Bob Hope began his career in the late 1920s and reigned as the king of comedy for most of his career. His jokes and one-liners earned him phenomenal success as a vaudevillian, stand-up comedian, actor, singer, and author. During his 80-year career, he appeared in more than 70 feature films and shorts, starring in 54. Also, Hope holds the record of hosting the Academy Awards 19 times.
6. Lucille Ball (Aug. 6, 1911 — April 26, 1989)
Lucille Ball became one of the top American comedic actresses by starring in the iconic 1950’s sitcom I Love Lucy with her husband, Desi Arnaz. After the Balls divorced in 1960, Lucille starred and produced The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy. In 1961 she received the distinction of being the New York Friars Club’s first female roast honoree.
As an actress, comedian, model, producer, and studio executive, Lucille Ball broke ground as the first woman to head a film production company and the first female studio head. A four-time Emmy winner, Ball wrote about 1950’s taboo subjects like women in the workplace and childbirth on I Love Lucy.
7. Ed Sullivan (September 28, 1901 — October 13, 1974)
TV personality Ed Sullivan set the standard for a TV host. From 1948 to 1971, he hosted The Ed Sullivan Show, which became the longest-running variety show in US history. It introduced the world to immense talents like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, and many other great performers.
8. Carol Burnett (April 26, 1933 — )
Carol Burnett showcased her talents as a comedian, actress, singer, and writer on her revolutionary TV comedy variety show, The Carol Burnett Show. Originally appearing on CBS, the show was the first female-hosted comedy variety show.
The cast showcased a talented line-up, including Vicky Lawrence, Dick Van Dyke, Tim Conway, and Harvey Korman. Along with her successful variety show, Burnett has excelled on film, television, and stage.
And Many More
The fact that so many other legendary celebrities can fit this list shows the depth of the star power in the Friars Club membership roster. You could mention celebrities like Dean Martin, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Barbra Streisand, and Tom Cruise as some of the most memorable members without exhausting a third of the list.
