Freddie Roman

Freddie Roman (born Fred Kirschenbaum 1937 in Jamaica, Queens, New York) is a Jewish-American stand-up comedian, best known for his frequent appearances at "Borscht Belt" hotels. Dubbed "king of one liners", he is currently the Dean of the New York Friars' Club.
Roman currently resides in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Early life

Freddie Roman grew up in Jamaica, New York. His father was a shoe salesman. His uncle and grandfather owned the Crystal Spring Hotel in the Catskills. There, Freddie was given a chance to emcee on summer nights at age 15. He became a teenage comic in small resorts, but later left show business to work for his father. He became the proprietor of a ladies' shoe store, but soon realized his true love was "not in shoe business, but show business".

His son was Alan Kirschenbaum, a television producer, who died in 2012.

Career

Freddie Roman has been headlining at resort venues, including Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip and Harrah's Atlantic City. He still appears today.

The Friars Club changed their 2-term maximum bylaw so he could stay on as its Dean.

Freddie co-wrote, and starred in, the stage show "Catskills on Broadway", as well as appearing in several films.

Quotes

• "Eleven years ago I became president for two years. I'm like the Fidel Castro of comedians. I'm president for life."
• "Mike Tyson is an interesting story. He's the only person in America who's driving a 250,000 dollar car, who actually made the license plates for that car."

Filmography

Films

• The Last Laugh (2006)
• Bittersweet Place (2005)
• Christ in the City (2005)
• Finding North (1998)
• Sweet Lorraine (1987)

Television appearances

• The Big Room for MTV's Ha!
• Friars Club Roasts
• Funny Already: A History of Jewish Comedy
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent
• Now That's Funny!
• Stark Raving Mad
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
• The 46th Annual Tony Awards (presenter)
• Red Oaks (Amazon.com) 7 Episodes Herb

Stage

• Catskills on Broadway (2003)
• Sunrise Lakes Phase IV (2010)