Marty Allen: Like the Energizer Bunny, He Just Keeps Moving; Releases his Memoir “Hello Dere”
He’s been making audiences laugh for 70 years, and he doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon! Marty Allen, the iconic comedian who teamed with Steve Rossi for 16 years, and later veered off on his own, loves to entertain, and still performs all over the country with his wife Karon Kate Blackwell.
“Working keeps me young at heart” the 93 year old comedian explained. “I’m a voracious reader, and I love to keep current. I love to laugh — and make people laugh — and researchers say a good belly laugh keeps us living healthier, longer.”
Marty and Karon have been married 31 years. “It doesn’t get better than performing together” Karon said recently after a sold out Las Vegas appearance. “Sharing our work and our lives has been a blessing, and we’re still out there booking terrific gigs all over the country.”
In a 2012 Men’s Health article, Marty gave his own personal advice for living a wonderful life as we age:
- Tell a Joke
Start with good material, says Allen. “I find humor in things that are happening today in the news,” he says. His move: looking through the front pages of newspapers and circling different things that he might be able to put a twist on. - Think the Best
“You have to go out with an attitude that they’re going to laugh,” Allen says about comedy. The same goes for life: Show up thinking you’ve already lost, and you’ll lose. - Build a Good Reputation
Allen’s act is always two things: funny and clean. “I’ve been fortunate because through the years I’ve developed a reputation. People know what to expect when I come out, and that makes it easier.” - Don’t Be Standoffish
“Some days I do 100 photos a night with people at my shows,” Allen says. “When people come over and say, ‘We really enjoyed your show,’ I talk to them and say thank you. If people ask me to come over to their table, I will.” - Keep Busy
“Nobody can force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” Allen says. He credits his happiness to a busy schedule and a tough work ethic, noting that he and his wife, fellow performer Karon Blackwell, “are working all the time.” “I get up in the morning, have breakfast, work on different routines, and take lots of vitamins. Over the last few years I’ve been eating healthier, and have lost quite a bit of weight. I feel terrific.”
Just before his 93rd birthday, Marty released his memoir HELLO DERE: You’ll Never Believe Who I Spent The Night With! available on Amazon.com. He’s got stories about the Beatles, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Robin Williams, Tony Bennett and all the greats! As Michele “Wojo” Wojciechowski — an award winning journalist from Parade Magazine put it — “The list of who Marty’s performed with over his lifetime reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ celebrity Rolodex!”
His popularity over the years continues to grow. Like his comedic/actress peer Betty White, audiences remember the television game shows he appeared on in the 60s, 70s and 80s. At one point he was called the “Darling of Daytime TV” and “One of the most recognizable faces in America.”
“There must be a resurgence of old television shows around the world because lately I’ve been receiving tons of mail from China, Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic.” Marty mentioned. He answers each letter personally, and appreciates his fans.
“It makes me happy to know they enjoy my humor, and they want to hear more from me. Living happy is a key ingredient to a long, healthy life,” the wise man of comedy says. “You have to enjoy your life everyday, and be part of making others happy too.”