Will Jordan (born William Rauch, July 27, 1927 – September 6, 2018) was an American character actor and stand-up comedian best known for his resemblance to, and impressions of, television host and newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan.
Early life Born in the Bronx, Rauch grew up in Flushing, Queens. His father was a pharmacist and his mother owned a hat store. Jordan graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.
Career As Ed Sullivan In his act, Jordan came up with the catch-phrase, "Welcome to our Toast of the Town 'Shoooo'", which became a stereotypical joke for nearly every Sullivan impersonator after that, usually as the more generic "Really Big 'Shoooo'" (or "shoe").A Party for Wences
Jordan appeared as Sullivan in the Broadway production of the musical Bye Bye Birdie in 1960–1961 (a role he would reprise in the revival from October 15, 2009, through January 24, 2010).
Most of Jordan's film and television performances since the 1970s have been as Sullivan in films that feature characters appearing on Sullivan's famous variety series. These include: I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), The Beatles The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Buddy Holly and The Crickets The Doors (1991), The Doors
In 1983, Jordan appeared as Sullivan in the 1960s-TV-style video for "Tell Her About It", the Billy Joel hit single.
Other work Jordan's other impressions included Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx and Jack Benny. He imitated Peter Lorre and James Mason as one of the actors in "Psycho Drama" on Rupert Holmes's 1974 debut album Widescreen.
Jordan performed on the 1970 P.D.Q. Bach recording The Stoned Guest in the role of Milton Host, a send-up of Metropolitan Opera radio announcer Milton Cross.
He also participated in a recording project, called "The Sicknicks", with Sandy Baron. The pair produced a comedy single, "The Presidential Press Conference", which was a minor hit in 1961.
Personal life and death Jordan had a son, Lonnie Saunders.
On September 6, 2018, writer Mark Evanier announced Jordan died that morning at his Manhattan home at age 91.
Filmography
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1950 Ford Star Revue Two episodes 1951 The Steve Allen Show 1952–1953 The Arthur Murray Party Four episodes 1954–1968 The Ed Sullivan Show Eleven episodes 1954 Your Chevrolet Showroom 1954–1956 Tonight Starring Steve Allen Two episodes 1955 The Martha Raye Show Two episodes 1956 Good Morning! with Will Rogers Jr. 1958 Make Me Laugh 1958–1962 Tonight Starring Jack Paar Two episodes 1959 Today 1961 American Bandstand 1962–1964 The Red Skelton Show Two episodes 1962 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1965 That Regis Philbin Show 1965 The Jimmy Dean Show 1966–1971 The Merv Griffin Show Six episodes 1966–1975 The Mike Douglas Show Two episodes 1968 The Joey Bishop Show 1968–1971 Kraft Music Hall Four episodes 1972 The ABC Comedy Hour 1972 The Bob Braun Show 1974 Funny Farm 1978 The Comedy Shop 1979 Elvis Ed Sullivan Television film
Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1960 Top Cat The Cat, J. Caesar Bandwagon, Russians, Bank Robber, Names Unlimited Men, Movie Men Animated voice role; uncredited 1961 Cool Cat Blues The Cat, Smiling Ed Solvent, Bodyguard, Sloppy Louie, Louie's Henchmen, I.O.U. Network President Animated voice role; uncredited Hound About That Hunter, Dog, Fox Animated voice role; uncredited Cane and Able The Cat Animated voice role; uncredited 1967 Think or Sink Narrator, Roscoe, Professor Rhinestine Animated voice role; uncredited From Orbit to Obit German Scientist Animated voice role; uncredited Forget-Me-Nuts Narrator, Roscoe, Professor Rhinestine Animated voice role; uncredited 1977 A Doonesbury Special Sportscaster Animated voice role 1978 I Wanna Hold Your Hand Ed Sullivan Feature film debut The Buddy Holly Story Ed Sullivan 1983 Billy Joel - Tell Her About It Ed Sullivan Music video 1984 Broadway Danny Rose Himself 1991 The Doors Ed Sullivan 1992 Mr. Saturday Night Ed Sullivan 2003 Down with Love Ed Sullivan Final appearance
References
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