John Byner, a name synonymous with uncanny impersonations and deadpan humor, stands as a pivotal figure in comedy. Often hailed as a forerunner to modern comedic impressionists like Dana Carvey, Frank Caliendo, and Jim Carrey, Byner carved a unique niche in entertainment with his rubber-faced expressions and a seemingly endless repertoire of voices. His talent for mimicry spanned the spectrum of entertainment and history, bringing to life figures from John Wayne and Ed Sullivan to U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson. Beyond mere imitation, Byner injected humor into his impressions, particularly when mimicking singers like Johnny Mathis and Dean Martin, amplifying their vocal styles to hilarious extremes. In the late 1960s and early 70s, Byner, alongside Rich Little, reigned supreme as one of the “Men of 1,000 Impressions,” earning well-deserved recognition for their masterful skills.
Born John Thomas Biener on June 28, 1938, in the bustling metropolis of New York City, his path to comedic stardom began humbly. His father, Michael Biener, worked as an auto mechanic, while his mother, Christina Biener, served as a mental hospital attendant. Byner’s foray into stand-up comedy commenced in the bohemian heart of Greenwich Village. He honed his craft for a year at the legendary Village Vanguard jazz club under the guidance of Max Gordon. This experience served as a springboard, allowing him to open for some of the era’s most celebrated jazz musicians. He steadily ascended the ranks, becoming a beloved fixture in New York’s vibrant nightclub scene. His growing popularity led to headline performances at prestigious venues across the nation, including Basin Street East, the Copa Cabana, the Latin Quarter, and The Rainbow Room in New York, and renowned showrooms like Harrah’s, The Sahara, The Sands, Caesar’s Palace, The Tropicana, and the Las Vegas Hilton.
Byner’s television breakthrough arrived in 1964 in his native New York City on Merv Griffin’s “Talent Scouts Show.” This pivotal appearance opened doors to broader television exposure. The years 1966 and 1967 saw him frequently gracing the variety shows of Garry Moore and Steve Allen, further solidifying his presence on the small screen. His comedic talents resonated deeply with audiences, leading to over two dozen appearances on Ed Sullivan’s iconic showcase and more than three dozen visits to Johnny Carson’s late-night domain. He became a sought-after guest on other prominent shows, adding his comedic flair to Carol Burnett, Mike Douglas, and Dean Martin’s programs. Later in his career, he became a favorite guest for late-night hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno, demonstrating his enduring appeal across generations of television viewers.
Expanding his television presence, Byner hosted and starred in his own summer variety series, “The John Byner Comedy Hour” in 1972. This show spotlighted his versatility, featuring sketch comedy and humorous parodies of popular sitcoms. His comedic prowess was further recognized with his series “Comedy on the Road,” which aired for four seasons on A&E and garnered him his second Ace Award. His first Ace Award celebrated the uproarious sketch comedy program “Bizarre,” which enjoyed a successful six-season run and showcased Byner’s unique brand of offbeat humor.
Byner transitioned into on-camera acting in 1967, initially taking on a recurring role in the short-lived sitcom “Accidental Family” alongside Jerry Van Dyke. He also lent his voice to the cartoon segment “Die blaue Elise” in the “Der rosarote Panther – Zu Gast bei Paulchens Trickverwandten” series in 1969. In this segment, Byner’s vocal talents shone as he delivered spot-on impressions of Dean Martin and Jackie Mason for the title characters.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Byner enriched numerous established television shows with his comedic timing and character portrayals. He made memorable appearances on shows like “Get Smart,” “The Mothers-In-Law,” “Love, American Style,” “Hawaii 5-O,” “The Odd Couple,” “Maude,” and “When Things Were Rotten.” He also brought his comedic energy to the big screen, notably as Detective Donahue in the spoof film “Die Ausgeflippten” (known in English as “Fun with Dick and Jane”) in 1977 and in the family sitcom “Lachen auf Rezept” (unreleased in English) in 1976 with comic legend Danny Thomas. While his television movie pilot “McNamara’s Band” in 1977 didn’t lead to a series, he continued to appear in comedies like “Weihnachtsmänner haben’s schwer” (unreleased in English) in 1979 and “Murder Can Hurt You!” in 1980. He also ventured into drama with “Nixons rechte Hand – Der Fall G. Gordon Liddy” (unreleased in English, but about G. Gordon Liddy) in 1982 and even played a ventriloquist in a “Friday the 13th: The Series” episode, showcasing his range beyond comedy.
His film debut, though small, was in the Barbra Streisand/Ryan O’Neal comedy “Is’ was, Doc?” in 1972. While film stardom eluded him, Byner consistently delivered comedic support in action comedies and slapstick films. These included “The Last of the Cowboys” (also known as “The Great Smokey Roadblock”) in 1977 with Henry Fonda and Eileen Brennan; the lesser-known “Die H.L.M. Puff-Company” (unreleased in English) in 1979; “Der rasende Gockel” (known as “Smokey and the Bandit Part 3”) in 1983 starring Burt Reynolds; and the comedy horror “Transylvania 6-5000” in 1985 featuring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr.
Byner’s vocal dexterity extended to a prolific career in animation. He lent his voice to Disney’s “The Black Cauldron” in 1985 and contributed to popular TV cartoon programs such as “Duckman,” “Garfield,” “Angry Beavers,” “Rugrats,” and a reimagined “Felix the Cat,” further cementing his status as a versatile performer.
His enduring presence in entertainment continued into the 1990s and beyond. He held a recurring role in the crime drama series “Palm Beach-Duo” (known as “Silk Stalkings”) starting in 1991 and made guest appearances on shows like “Married…with Children,” “Dharma & Greg,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and “The First Family.” He also appeared in films like the fantasy comedy “Munchie” in 1994, the fantasy horror “Wishmaster” in 1997, the Rodney Dangerfield slapstick comedy “My 5 Wives” in 2000, and the National Lampoon production “Robodoc” in 2009, demonstrating his continued activity across genres.
Married four times, John Byner has four children from his first marriage. His career stands as a testament to his remarkable talent and adaptability, solidifying his legacy as a true comedy legend and the “Man of a Thousand Voices.”
