Oscar-Winning Comedian & Actor Red Buttons Dies at 87

Oscar-winning actor and comedian Red Buttons has passed away at the age of 87.  He died in his Century City, CA home of vascular disease, according to his publicist, after having been ill for some time. 

"With his eager manner and rapid-fire wit, Buttons excelled in every phase of show business, from the Borscht Belt of the 1930s to celebrity roasts in the 1990s," wrote Bob Thomas in his Associated Press obituary for the red-headed star.

Born as Aaron Chwatt in New York, New York on February 5th, 1919, Buttons started out in the Catskills Borscht Circuit and in burlesque, and appeared in several Broadway shows during the 1940s--including Vickie, Moss Hart's play for the air force, Winged Victory (he would also appear in the film version), and the musicals Barefoot Boy with Cheek and Hold It!. In 1995, he would also perform his solo comedy show Buttons on Broadway.

Buttons proved his versatility for winning an Oscar for his performance in the 1957 film Sayonara.  In the film--which also starred Marlon Brando--his character engages in a tragic romance with a Japanese woman played by Miyoshi Umeki.

His many other film credits included Hatari, Gay Purr-ee, The Poseidon Adventure, Alexander, Alexander, Gable and Lombard, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Pete's Dragon, the TV film "Alice in Wonderland" and It Could Happen to You.  He also appeared in dozens of TV shows--including "The Red Buttons Show" in the early '50s.

A favorite at comic roasts, he received his own Friar's Club Roast (and a Lifetime Achievement Award) in 1982.

Buttons is survived by third wife, Alicia, their children, Amy and Adam, and a sister.