BENNY RUBIN

February 2, 1899

Benny Rubin was born on February 2, 1899 in Boston, Massachusetts. He worked in vaudeville and radio including “The Jack Benny Program” (1933-55). 

His feature film debut came in 1928′s Naughty Baby. 

His first time acting with Lucille Ball came in 1955′s “The Tour” (ILL S4;E30) filmed on April 15, 1955 and first aired on May 30, 1955. Rubin played the driver of the tour bus that takes Lucy and Ethel to the home of Richard Widmark – then leaves them there! 

Rubin was featured on two episodes of Desilu’s “December Bride” with celebrity guest-stars: “The Rudy Vallee Show” (1956) and “The Mickey Rooney Show” (1958). Both Vallee and Rooney were seen as themselves on future Lucycoms. 

In 1963, he teamed with another “I Love Lucy” veteran, Ellen Corby, as a couple on a park bench in “Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” (TLS S1;E29) filmed March 21, 1963.

The episode first aired on CBS on April 22, 1963.

In February 1964, he made one more “Lucy Show” appearance when “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant” (TLS S2;E20). Rubin (center) played Mr. Jones, the linen supplier for the restaurant, although he is only identified by name in the closing credits. 

Although this was the last appearance on a Lucycom, Rubin appeared with Ball on three Jack Benny specials:

• “Carnival Nights” ~ March 20, 1968
• “Birthday Special” ~ February 17, 1969
• “20th Anniversary Special” ~ November 16, 1970 (above)

Rubin did several shows filmed on the Desilu lot, including “Angel” (1962), “The Danny Thomas Show” (1955 & 1962), and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961).

For Desi Arnaz, Rubin appeared in the ill-fated pilot for “The Carol Channing Show” (1966) and two episodes of “The Mothers-in-Law” in 1968 (above) and 1969. 

On March 26, 1927, Rubin married actress Mary O’Brien. They had a daughter and were divorced in 1934 

Rubin’s autobiography Come Backstage with Me was published by Vanity Press in 1980.

Rubin died of a heart attack on July 15, 1986 at age 87.