‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ role comic’s favourite
Comedic actor
BOB Einstein, a twotime Emmyaward winning actor known for his recurring role in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Super Dave character, died on January 2 after battling cancer. He was 76.
The actor and comedian famously played Marty Funkhouser, Larry David’s pal, on the HBO show. The two were known for squabbling over numerous topics, including whether or not Funkhouser was an orphan after his mother dies and he is left parentless.
Einstein was also known for creating the stuntman character Super Dave Osborne, for which he won a CableACE Award. He portrayed Super Dave in multiple television appearances, and was the star of the 2000 film The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave.
He appeared on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee in 2017. It was his second time on the show, making him the first guest to appear twice.
Einstein’s brother, Albert Brooks, is an acclaimed actor, writer and director, known for films such as Modern Romance and Lost in America — both of which he also wrote and directed — and actingonly roles in Broadcast News and Drive.
Brooks remembered him as ‘‘a great brother, father and husband’’ in a tweet. ‘‘A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever.’’
Harry Einstein, his father, was also a comedian. He died in 1958 at the Roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz at New York City’s Friars Club. Einstein was making his way back to his seat when he suddenly collapsed and died.
Stewart Robert Einstein was born in Los Angeles on November 20, 1942.
He got his showbusiness start writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, for which he won an Emmy Award. He also appeared on the show as Officer Judy.
In 1977, he won an Emmy for outstanding comedyvariety series for his work on Van Dyke and Company.
While that gave him critical acclaim, and his Super Dave character gave him an opportunity to spread his comedic wings, his appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm were his lasting legacy.
Einstein appeared in 22 episodes as Marty Funkhouser from 2004 to 2017, notably appearing in the show’s Seinfeld reunion episode in which he recites an offcolour joke to the show’s star, Jerry Seinfeld. Ill, Einstein was unable to complete episodes in the show’s upcoming 10th season.
‘‘Never have I seen an actor enjoy a role the way Bob did playing Marty Funkhouser,’’ David said. ‘‘It was an amazing, unforgettable experience knowing and working with him. There was noone like him, as he told us again and again. We’re all in a state of shock.’’
Costar Cheryl Hines was among celebrities sharing condolences on social media.
‘‘We lost a friend today. Thanks for all of the laughs on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Our love to Bob’s family. The comedy world will miss you.’’
Einstein is survived by his wife, Roberta Einstein; his daughter Erin Einstein Dale; soninlaw Andrew Dale; and his grandchildren Ethan and Zoe. He is also survived by his brothers. — New York Daily News/LA Times/Wikipedia