Voting Station

Carl Ballantine

Please vote to return to collections.

Comedian

The Resume

    (September 27, 1917-November 3, 2009)
    Born in Chicago, Illinois
    Birth name was Meyer Kessler
    Magician/comedian/actor
    Portrayed Lester Gruber in McHale's Navy
    Appeared in the movies 'Speedway' (1968), 'The Shakiest Gun in the West' (1968), 'The Girl Most Likely To' (TV movie, 1973), 'Revenge of the Cheerleaders' (1976), 'The World's Greatest Lover' (1977), 'Just You and Me, Kid' (1979), 'Mr. Saturday Night' (1992) and 'My Giant' (1998)

Why he might be annoying:

    He shaved five years off his age, claiming 1922 as his birth year.
    He took his stage name from a bottle of Ballantine whiskey.
    He started as a straight magician, decided he would never be as good as the top performers, then switched to a comedic act in which his tricks failed.
    He appeared in commercials as the agent for the California Raisins.
    He chain smoked Cuban stogies.

Why he might not be annoying:

    During World War II, he entertained the troops in England.
    He was married to Ceil Cabot for 45 years until her death.
    He was the first magician to headline in Vegas.
    Fellow McHale's Navy alum Tim Conway said, 'He was a natural. Everything to him had humor.'
    Other fans include comedian Steve Martin, magician David Copperfield and comedic magicians Penn & Teller.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 144 Votes: 35.42% Annoying