Comedy Genius Stan Freberg Dies At 88

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stan Freberg, the writer and comedian who lampooned American life in "The United States of America" and other landmark comedy albums and was hailed as the father of the funny commercial, has died at age 88.

Freberg's wife, Hunter, says the humorist died Tuesday at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica.

Although his face may not have been as recognizable as other comedians, Freberg's influence was arguably as great, if not more so. That was thanks in part to a huge body of work that influenced generations.

Assembled over 70 years, it encompassed radio and television shows, comedy albums, advertising jingles and nightclub performances.

In November he took part in "The Genius of Stan Freberg," a retrospective attended by Harry Shearer, "Weird Al" Yankovic and numerous others.

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