Contact: Sunny Mindel/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958
The seventh annual Toyota Comedy Festival will feature more than 200 comedians in a myriad of events from Thursday, June 3 through Saturday, June 12, including stand-up performances, alternative comedy, one-person shows, discussion panels, readings and charity events throughout the New York metropolitan area.
"I am delighted to present the Toyota Comedy Festival Friar's Club George Burns Award to Buddy Hackett - rightfully recognized as one of the funniest men in the world," the Mayor said. "Buddy's indisputable comic genius has brought laughter to millions of Americans and people around the world. His talent has been evident in performances on stage, in television appearances and in major motion pictures. A tireless professional, he has also appeared with the Seattle Opera Company in its production of Die Fiedermaus and become a successful writer - his first book, Golf and Other Lies, was published by Doubleday & Co., and his second book, The Naked Mind of Buddy Hackett, was published by Hash Publishing Co. For all these accomplishments and his mastery of humor that helps us put life's mishaps in perspective, this Award is well-deserved."
Friar's Club George Burns Award Also in attendance were: John Schreiber, Co-Producer of the Toyota Comedy Festival; comedian Freddie Roman-Dean, President of the New York Friar's Club; George Wein, Co-Producer of the Toyota Comedy Festival; comedian Freddie Roman and comedian Ray Romano, star of the series Everybody Loves Raymond, who will be making his debut appearance at Carnegie Hall this year.