Joey Bishop: The Quiet Genius Behind the Rat Pack’s Laughter

Joey Bishop, born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb on February 3, 1918, in the Bronx, New York, is often remembered as the quieter, less flashy member of the Rat Pack. However, his contribution to the legendary group and to the world of comedy was indispensable. Known for his subtle, dry wit, Bishop was the behind-the-scenes force that helped shape the humor of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., and was an integral part of their comedy dynamic. His story is not just one of success but also of betrayal, struggle, and resilience.

A Humble Beginning

Joey’s roots were humble. Raised in a Jewish immigrant family, his early life was marked by financial struggles. When Joey was just three months old, his family moved to South Philadelphia, a place that would become integral to shaping his personality. South Philly was a vibrant mix of Italian and Jewish communities, where humor was essential to daily life. In this environment, Bishop’s natural talent for making people laugh was fostered. He would mimic famous actors like Edward G. Robinson and Jimmy Durante, learning how to command attention in his unique way.

Despite his humor, Joey struggled academically, dropping out of school at 18 to work at his father’s bicycle repair shop. Yet, even in his toughest moments, his wit remained his constant companion. His family recognized his talent and encouraged his creativity, nurturing his ability to entertain with a subtle delivery that would later set him apart in the entertainment world.

The Path to Comedy

Joey’s big break came in 1936 when he entered an amateur contest and won a modest $3 for imitating radio comics. This small victory fueled his belief that he could make a career out of comedy. He later formed a comedy act called the Bishop Trio with his brother, Mory. The duo performed in small clubs and burlesque houses across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, honing their craft in front of rowdy audiences. Although the pay was low and the venues tough, Joey’s ability to adapt to different crowds and his dry humor made him stand out.

World War II interrupted his career, as Joey joined the U.S. Army in 1942. Even in the military, he kept his humor alive, entertaining fellow soldiers and building confidence that would later serve him in his post-war career. By 1945, he returned to comedy and began performing in clubs across the East Coast. His style, marked by its quiet and understated nature, set him apart from the louder, more theatrical comedians of the time.

The Rat Pack Connection

In 1952, Joey’s career took a turn for the better when Frank Sinatra saw him perform at the Latin Quarter in New York. Impressed by Joey’s timing and delivery, Sinatra offered him an opening spot at the Riviera in New Jersey, marking the beginning of their professional relationship. This opportunity led to more high-profile performances, including gigs at the Copa Cabana in New York, and soon, Joey was known as “Sinatra’s comic.” His humor was never cruel or loud; it was dry, self-deprecating, and felt personal, which made him relatable to audiences.

Bishop’s style was perfectly suited for the Rat Pack. While Sinatra, Martin, and Davis took the spotlight, Joey worked behind the scenes, ensuring the group’s humor remained sharp. Known as the “Frown Prince” for his serious expression, Bishop was a master at playing off the larger-than-life personalities around him. He shaped much of the material that made the Rat Pack’s shows legendary, and despite his role as their comic, he rarely sought the limelight.

Success and Betrayal

By the early 1960s, the Rat Pack was at its peak. Their late-night shows in Las Vegas were cultural phenomena, drawing massive crowds and critical acclaim. But as the group’s fame soared, tensions began to rise, especially between Joey and Sinatra. The relationship hit a breaking point when Sinatra asked Bishop to fill in for him at the Cal Neva Lodge, a resort Sinatra partly owned. Joey, however, presented Sinatra with a list of demands, including a $50,000 fee and a private jet.

This move was seen as a betrayal by Sinatra, who valued loyalty above all else. The fallout was swift and severe. Joey was not only cut from the Rat Pack but also erased from major projects. His career, once on the rise, took a sharp downturn as Hollywood turned its back on him. Despite this, Bishop continued to work in the entertainment industry, though the sting of betrayal never fully left him.

Television and Later Years

Joey Bishop’s career continued, albeit with ups and downs. In 1961, he starred in The Joey Bishop Show, a sitcom loosely based on his life. Although the show struggled with ratings, it helped establish him as a television personality. He also hosted his own late-night talk show on ABC in 1967, competing with Johnny Carson, but his efforts to carve out a space in the crowded late-night landscape were unsuccessful.

Despite these challenges, Joey never gave up on comedy. He continued to perform in small venues and occasionally appeared in films, including Ocean’s 11. However, the sting of his fallout with Sinatra and the Rat Pack lingered. He was often overlooked in favor of bigger names, and he became frustrated with how the media portrayed him. Even years later, he would occasionally make pointed remarks about how he had been undervalued.

Legacy

Joey Bishop’s story is one of resilience. He was a key figure in one of the most iconic groups in entertainment history, yet his contributions were often overlooked in favor of the flashier personalities around him. Despite his quieter approach, he was essential to the Rat Pack’s success, and his brand of comedy was a unique and important part of the entertainment landscape of his time. Bishop’s legacy as a comic genius, both on and off the stage, remains one of the great untold stories of Hollywood’s golden age.