Background
Wolfberg, Dennis Alan was born on March 29, 1946 in New York City. Son of Sidney Louis and Frances (Schimmelman) Wolfberg.
Wolfberg, Dennis Alan was born on March 29, 1946 in New York City. Son of Sidney Louis and Frances (Schimmelman) Wolfberg.
Bachelor, Queens College, 1967. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, St. Johns University, 1974.
Born on March 29, 1946 on Long Island to Frances and Sidney Wolfberg, Dennis was a schoolteacher before launching a full-time comedy career in 1979. Wolfberg married fellow comedian Jeannie McBride on September 8,1985. The couple had three sons, Daniel and twins Matthew and David.
Dennis began his comedy career in New York City at the Comic Strip. Although he always wanted to be a comedian, he auditioned as a singer, playing his Martin guitar. Fortuitously, his audition piece was the Comic Strip's owner's favorite song: Bye Bye Miss American Pie.
Wolfberg appeared twice on The Tonight Show. In addition, he was a frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show, The Pat Sajak Show and The Arsenio Hall Show. He starred in his own half-hour comedy special on HBO in 1990.
He also had a recurring role as Gooshie on NBC's , and in April 1993 Entertainment Tonight aired "A Day in the Life of Dennis Wolfberg," focusing on his relentless touring schedule. Dennis was managed by George Shapiro of Shapiro/West Associates. He headlined at comedy clubs across the country as well as working in Las Vegas and Atlantic City on a regular basis.
He was twice named America's top male comic in votes by clubgoers and owners nationwide. Wolfberg died of melanoma on October 3, 1994, aged 48. Though he battled cancer for at least two years, he continued to work through the end of August 1994.
At the time of his death, he was negotiating a deal for his own TV show.
Married Jean Marie McBride, September 8, 1985. Children: Daniel Joseph, Matthew James, David Alan.