From 1961 to 1966, Morey Amsterdam played Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Two years later, in 1968, Amsterdam appeared at the Historic Elitch Theatre in the play, Room Service.
Amsterdam made his mark in acting, songwriting, film, and nightclub comedy, earning the legendary nickname “The Human Joke Machine” for his ability to come up with a joke on any subject on demand. He began in vaudeville at the age of 14, and by 1947 was performing on three different daily radio shows — a testament to his seemingly bottomless reservoir of material. He also hosted Broadway Open House in 1950, TV’s first late-night entertainment show, which paved the way for the development of The Tonight Show.
From 1961 to 1966, Amsterdam played the beloved wisecracking comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show — a role that cemented his place in television history. Off screen, his talents extended to the highest levels of power: he wrote jokes for Presidents Roosevelt, Johnson, Kennedy, and Reagan. He was also awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio, a lasting tribute to a career that spanned over six decades.
We are proud that this comedy giant once graced our stage here in Denver. Discover more legendary performers who called Elitch Theatre home.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1968
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- 1968 – Room Service
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show
- In 1950, Amsterdam briefly hosted Broadway Open House on NBC — TV’s first late-night entertainment show — which helped pave the way for the later development of The Tonight Show.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Walter Pidgeon and Amsterdam both appeared in the 1976 comedy film Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood. Fellow Elitch alum Nancy Walker also appeared in the film as Mrs. Fromberg.
