Comedian Norm Crosby Dead At 93; He Was 'Master Of The Malaprop'

LOS ANGELES, CA — A beloved stand-up comedian who incited laughter from nightclub audiences for more than five decades died Saturday in Los Angeles. Norm Crosby, 93, died of heart failure at the UCLA Medical Center, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Crosby is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan, two sons and two grandchildren.

The Boston Native was known as "the Master of the Malaprop" for his intentional misuse of words. He was a favorite of "Rat Pack" regulars Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and often appeared on Martin's televised roasts.

Crosby once said of Martin while on his show: "He's got a certain inner flux that excretes from this man, there's an aura of marination that radiates out of him. I don't know where it comes from," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

His television work in the '70s and '80s included "Celebrity Bowling," "Liar's Club," "Tattletales" and "Hollywood Squares."

He also logged more than 50 appearances on "The Tonight Show." His final credits included a part in the Adam Sandler comedy "Grownups 2" and voice work for the Hanukkah movie "8 Crazy Nights."

Crosby reportedly worked as an advertising manager for a shoe company in Boston when he decided moonlight as a comic at local bars and clubs on the weekends.

After he was able to master his idea of malaprop comedy, he was able to land an 18-week gig at the Latin Quarter nightclub in New York City.

Soon after, he was signed with William Morris and was able to quit his day job, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Until recently, Crosby was still making audiences laugh as he performed in casinos, on cruise ships and for a crowd at the Friars Club, where he roasted Donald Trump in 2004, The Hollywood Reporter wrote.

Read more here: Norm Crosby, "Master of the Malaprop," Dies at 93

The City News Service contributed to this report.