The world first knew him as Super Dave Osborne, then as Marty Funkhouser on Curb Your Enthusiasm. But to his friends and family, he was known simply as Bob Einstein. A new HBO documentary wonderfully titled The Super Bob Einstein Movie tells his story through the lens and laughs of some of his closest friends in comedy. He was one of the best physical comics ever to walk this Earth (and walk into a wall). The world lost him in 2019, but they certainly never forgot him. Article continues below advertisement
The quick-witted, physical comedian also wrote and appeared on “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and NBC’s “Van Dyke and Company,” the latter of which debuted the goofy daredevil Super Dave Osborne, whose white-and-blue jumpsuit Einstein repeatedly donned in comedy specials throughout the years.
Emmy Award-winning writer Bob Einstein, who was best known as cocky stuntman Super Dave Osborne and Larry David’s newly devout friend, Marty Funkhouser, on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” has died. He was 76.
“The whole character of Super Dave is a takeoff on people who pontificate,” Einstein told The Times in 1995. “So one thing I never want to do is pontificate why this works, why this is funny. I have no idea what the appeal is. All we are trying to do is make people have a good time and laugh.”
“Curb” costar Cheryl Hines and writer and producer David Mandel shared their condolences on social media, along with a slew of other celebrities.
He won his two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1969 and 1977 for his work on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and “Van Dyke and Company.”
How did Super Dave Osborne die?
On January 2, 2019, Bob Einstein passed away from cancer at the age of 76 — though to our knowledge, the specific type of cancer has never been revealed. Some might actually say death is the ultimate stunt, propelling us into whatever comes next. But knowing Bob Einsteins alter ego as Super Dave Osborne, the daredevil with a penchant for failing, it wouldnt have gone very well.
Bob was born in Los Angeles, already knee-deep in the entertainment world. His father, Harry Einstein (known professionally as Harry Parke), was a comic who shot to semi-stardom as Nick Parkyakarkus on the Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson radio programs. Bobs mother, Thelma Leeds, was an actress and singer who worked predominantly in the 1930s. And you might know his brother Albert Brooks (who has also appeared on Curb), who said via Twitter that Bob was a “a brilliantly funny man.”
Despite growing up around entertainers, Bob was working in the advertising industry until one day he was cast in a talk show sketch in which he played the man responsible for putting the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Comedian Tom Smothers was so impressed that he hired Bob to write on his show, The Summer Brothers Smothers Show, and later on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. It was while working for the Smothers brothers that Bob won an Emmy Award and worked alongside fellow funnyman Steve Martin. Article continues below advertisement
Steve Martin, Bob Einstein, and Allan Blye on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
When Bob created the Super Dave character for The John Byner Comedy Hour in 1972, he had no idea it would eventually lead to a Showtime show of the same name. Super Dave ran from 1987–1991 and delighted fans with its feats of physical comedy and Bobs deadpan delivery. He would later employ this same delivery style as Marty Funkhouser on Curb. Now, a new HBO documentary shares his talent with the world, and maybe a younger audience who hasnt come to know him yet. Article continues below advertisement
Einstein’s character Marty Funkhouser was supposed to be part of Season 10’s storyline. But that wasn’t the hardest part. Einstein and Larry David were very close, and so David took his death really hard. Garlin said: “You’re talking about somebody who was a close friend of mine and Larry’s, really close, so it hit us not only creatively, but it hit us on a much deeper level personally.”
Bob Einstein’s character Marty Funkhouser was a beloved character on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Sadly, with Season 10 debuting on January 19, the new season will be airing without Einstein’s charm and wit. Einstein died in January 2019.
Cast member Richard Lewis recalled him as being “excruciatingly brilliant” on the show, Deadline reported. Larry David said in a statement: “Never have I seen an actor enjoy a role the way Bob did playing ‘Marty Funkhouser’ on Curb. It was an amazing, unforgettable experience knowing and working with him. There was no one like him, as he told us again and again. We’re all in a state of shock.”
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