Pauly Shore Pays Emotional Tribute To His Late Father And Comedy Store Co-Founder Sammy Shore
Comedian and actor Pauly Shore announced the passing of his father, Sammy Shore, who died on Saturday of natural causes. He was 92.
Sammy Shore was the co-founder of the world-famous Los Angeles comedy club, the Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California.
His career spanned nearly seven decades performing in venues from the "Borscht Belt" summer resorts of New York's Catskill Mountains to Las Vegas and Hollywood.
Elvis Presley chose Shore to be his opening act for his comeback tour, and the comedian went on to open shows for Tony Orlando, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, Ann-Margret, Connie Stevens, Bobby Darin.
Pauly Shore, who is known for comedy films from the 1990s like Encino Man (1992) and Bio-Dome (1996), penned an emotional tribute to his late father.
"I'm saddened to let everyone know my father Sammy Shore recently passed at the age of 92 from natural causes," Shore wrote, accompanied by a photo of himself with his dad.
I'm saddened to let everyone know my father Sammy Shore recently passed at the age of 92 from natural causes. https://t.co/6SFHIeLnnI— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200063
"Dad, you lived an amazing life and I'm so proud to say that you are my father. When you're in heaven I'll be killing the crowds night after night and carrying on your legacy."
Sammy was married to his first wife Mitzi Saidel with whom he co-founded the Comedy Store in 1972 along with writing partner Rudy Deluca. Saidel became the owner two years later.
The pair divorced when Pauly was three years old and was raised by his mother, but Sammy remained an influential figure in his son's life.
My parents divorced when I was three years old and even though my mom was the one that raised me, my dad still prov… https://t.co/tK8c5Osw6e— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200063
Sammy took his son, an aspiring comic, to his first gig.
Eventually, father and son teamed up and took their family act out on the road.
When I first decided to do stand up comedy it was my dad that took me to my first gig. It was at a restaurant calle… https://t.co/AXDToLi4w2— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200065
Once I hit it big in the 1990s I took my dad on tour with me all over America doing shows. We toured together for m… https://t.co/FfSHG3XTpx— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200066
They thought it was some sort of a joke, when they soon realized the joke was on them. My dad killed the crowds nig… https://t.co/wcfd7qAdES— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200066
He also simultaneously let the audience really know who I was, where I came from, and how I wound up the way that I… https://t.co/Pc6uHZMFO8— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200067
Sammy was additionally known for his hilarious appearances in The Bellboy (1960) with Jerry Lewis and the Mel Brooks films Life Stinks (1991) and History of the World Part 1 (1981).
But his proudest achievement was in introducing his talented son in front of audiences.
He would say, "ladies and gentlemen, I've opened for Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr, but tonight I'm opening for… https://t.co/iMuiD7eRyH— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200067
Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" would blare through the speakers, and dad and I would dance around on stage like si… https://t.co/HCaDDLcYQm— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200068
Touring with his father for 20 years is something the 51-year-old fondly reflects back on.
The crowds were very endeared to see a true father and son comedy team on stage, something that's never happened be… https://t.co/YIvPRaS2ye— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200068
The scion concluded his moving tribute by telling his late father that he will continue "killing the crowds" and honoring his legacy.
"Dad, you lived an amazing life and I'm so proud to say that you are my father. When you're in heaven I'll be killing the crowds night after night and carrying on your legacy. Love you Dad. Rest in peace. Your son and fellow stand up comic, Love, Pauly."
Dad, you lived an amazing life and I'm so proud to say that you are my father. When you're in heaven I'll be killin… https://t.co/58RKqKgiIu— Pauly Shore (@Pauly Shore) 1558200069
The Comedy Store changed their marquee to honor its co-founder.
Thank you for our home Sammy. We love you and miss you forever. #thecomedystore #sammyshore https://t.co/Hm6osvsvMS— The Comedy Store (@The Comedy Store) 1558242649
The tributes continued on Twitter, with many expressing their condolences.
@PaulyShore @TheComedyStore What a beautiful, touching story. I’m so glad you had him by your side all these years.… https://t.co/ojb30KnLWH— ヽ(✿゚▽゚)ノ (@ヽ(✿゚▽゚)ノ) 1558208970
@PaulyShore @TheComedyStore You were truly blessed to have great parents and get to spend so much time with your fa… https://t.co/BDgLDwaxdi— #HoofTapSports🐐 (@#HoofTapSports🐐) 1558211584
@PaulyShore @TheComedyStore Pauly, that was beautiful man. So sorry for your loss.— Josh Charles (@Josh Charles) 1558315869
@PaulyShore @TheComedyStore Condolences to you and your family 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾— ψ the Big Bad 🐺 (@ψ the Big Bad 🐺) 1558211042
@PaulyShore @TheComedyStore So very sorry for your loss Pauly! I knew your Dad a long time and originally met him t… https://t.co/UOEIlFeWEQ— Jeffrey Gurian (@Jeffrey Gurian) 1558246659
Sammy Shore leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Suzanne.
Rest in peace, Sammy Shore, and thank you for many years of laughter.