Comedian Rodney Dangerfield dead at age 82

Posted Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 11:24 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Beloved comedian Rodney Dangerfield died Tuesday at the UCLA Medical Center. He was 82. His death came after a period of ill health that included a stroke and heart surgery complications.

Born Jacob Cohen on Long Island, New York in 1921. He started as a comedian in the Catskills at age 19. He married and left show business, living a modest family man lifestyle as a paint salesman in California.

He returned to comedy at age 42. His career took off thanks in part to his signature line, "I get no respect." He reached superstar status with roles like obnoxious golfer Al Czervik in 1980's Caddyshack. Other film highlights include Easy Money and Back to School.