Shelley's show business story begins in 1943, when he was honorably discharged from the Navy. He then enrolled as a drama student at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, where after graduating, Shelley joined the Woodstock Players, a stock theater company in Woodstock, Illinois. It was here that Shelley had the opportunity to really develop and polish his acting skills. Leaving Woodstock in 1949, Shelley and his wife found their way to New York where he received an invitation to join an improvisational troupe known as The Compass Players, which took him back home to Chicago. With Compass, Shelley worked with soon-to-be famous performers Mike Nichols and Elaine May, among others. Shelley soon began developing solo pieces, employing an imaginary telephone to take the place of an onstage partner and went on to performing his monologues and telephone routines with great success. Those first dates at Mr. Kelly's led to recording contract with Verve Records. Inside Shelly Berman, released in early 1959, became the first comedy album to be awarded a gold record, and the first to win a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance. Shelley would eventually record a total of six albums for Verve and go on to numerous TV appearances including those hosted by Ed Sullivan (where Shelley appeared 21 times), Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Dinah Shore, Perry Como and Dean Martin.
Shelley's great success enabled him to continue with his first love - acting. He starred in many productions on Broadway with dozens of acting roles on television coming his way too, including memorable appearances on episodes of Bewitched, The Man From Uncle, The Twilight Zone and LA Law.
In recent years, Shelley has graced the small screen on tons of shows as well including Friends, Providence, The King of Queens, The Bernie Mac Show and Entourage. Since 2002, Shelley has appeared as Nat David (Larry David's father) in HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. This show as introduced him to a whole new generation of TV viewers. Most recently, Shelley has been a recurring guest star appearances as the semi-senile Judge Robert Sanders on ABC's Boston Legal, which have brought him acclaim from critics and fans alike. Among Shelley's film roles: The Best Man; '80s cult favorite Teen Witch, Meet The Fockers, The Aristocrats and the upcoming You don’t mess with Zohan with Adam Sandler.

Let us connect you with a Shelley Berman Agent now to book Shelley Berman to appear at your next corporate, private or special event!

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