Jackie Mason was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in a family of Rabbis. Mason himself was a cantor until the age of 25 when he was ordained a rabbi. Three years later, he quit his synagogue to become a comedian because, as he says, 'Someone in the family had to make a living.' Mr. Mason's first one-man Broadway show, The World According To Me, was a phenomenal success on its American and European tours. The show earned Mason a special Tony Award for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement in 1989 as well as his first Outer Critics Circle Award, Ace Award, Emmy Award and Grammy nomination. Mason has received critical acclaim for all four of his Broadway shows from scores of publications such as The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Associated Press and by every TV network. Jackie Mason has often been asked to demonstrate his outstanding speaking abilities and consequently, has lectured in Israel, Britain, New York, and Washington DC. Well known for his strong political stances, Mason has also frequently been asked to join the political arena. Mason traveled to London for an unprecedented three, Royal Variety performances. While there, he was honored with an honorary degree from the Oxford University Debating Society. In 1995, Mason was the first nonpolitical person invited to speak at Parliament on American politics. During the Persian Gulf crisis, he closed his Broadway show to fly to Israel as a show of support for the troops and people of Israel and was honored with an award for "Bravery, Commitment and Valor to the State of Israel." In September of 1990, the academic world bowed to Mason as prestigious Oxford University established the 'Jackie Mason Lectureship in Contemporary Judaic and Hebraic Studies' for Postgraduate study. More recently, in 1995, Mason was awarded with an honorary degree of 'Fellow in the Humanities' of Yarnton College at the University of Oxford. Beyond theater and broadcasting, Mr. Mason is a published author. Adding to his extensive accomplishments, Jackie Mason became a political commentator with his own nationally syndicated radio talk show in late 1997. The show can be heard in over 85 markets around the country. His uncompromising views have led him to be called an 'equal opportunity offender' by some, but no one can deny Jackie's dedication to finding the truth at the heart of an issue and, however painful it may be, presenting it in a way that inspires laughter and understanding.
Jackie Mason