Eddie Lawrence
The gravel-voiced sage behind 'The Old Philosopher,' a downtrodden but hopeful comic character who charmed audiences for half a century.
1919–2014 (age 95)·American dramatist·Birthday: March 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Eddie Lawrence was a master of the solo performance, a Broadway song-and-dance man who carved out a unique niche with a single, enduring creation. In the late 1950s, he introduced 'The Old Philosopher,' a rumpled, perpetually optimistic hobo who dispensed fractured wisdom and cheerful songs on records and in nightclub acts. With his signature greeting ('Hello, hello, hello, hello...') and a spirit that refused to be crushed, the character became a cult phenomenon. Lawrence's career, however, was far broader. He acted on Broadway in shows like 'Bells Are Ringing,' appeared in films like 'The Great Race,' and was a familiar television presence. But it was his philosopher—a testament to resilience delivered with a wink—that defined his artistic legacy, a one-man show that ran for over five decades in the hearts of his fans.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Eddie was born in 1919, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eddie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1919
Eddie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1919Born
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Started school
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1932Became a teenager
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1935Could drive
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1937Could vote
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Turned 21
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1949Turned 30
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1959Turned 40
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1969Turned 50
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1979Turned 60
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1989Turned 70
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 80
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2014Died at 95
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
Key Achievements
- Created and performed the iconic comic character 'The Old Philosopher' for over 50 years.
- Starred on Broadway as J. Pierpont Finch in the original production of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'
- Wrote and performed the hit comedy song 'The Old Philosopher' which sold over a million copies.
- Had a recurring role as the commuter Mr. Dantley on the television series 'The Bill Dana Show.'
Did You Know?
His real name was Lawrence Eisler.
He was a talented painter and had his artwork exhibited in galleries.
He served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II as a radio operator.
He was the voice of the March Hare in Disney's 1951 animated film 'Alice in Wonderland.'
“Hey, have you heard the one about the fella who was always looking up?”
