Slapstick comic Soupy Sales died yesterday at the age of 83. His manager and friend Dave Usher says Sales passed away at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, N.Y., where he was admitted last week. He had been battling health problems for the past several years.
Sales (born Milton Supman) began his career with a 1953 kids’ TV show in Detroit called Soupy Sales Comics, and went on to star in both syndicated and network TV shows (including three for ABC) until his last series in 1979-80. They all followed similar formats: slapstick, awful punning, and goofy banter with shaggy puppets like White Fang and Black Tooth. And, of course, there were the trademark tossed custard pies — a career total of 20,000, according to Sales’ calculations.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Trudy Carson Sales; two sons from a previous marriage; a brother; and four grandchildren.
More on Soupy Sales’ life and career from EW:
Soupy Sales: Ken Tucker on why we’ll miss him
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I remember watching his show every day. We even danced to his record, “Do the Mouse”–yeah–do it all around your house –yeah! A fond memory from childhood, may he rest in peace,
Come on and do the Mouse with me!!!
Who knows what the difference was between the dances-”Do the Mouse” and “The Soupy Shuffle” ?? I have the original 45 recording of “Do the Mouse”, and I remember dancing around the house to it while biting my bottom lip and making that mouse face!! LOVED YA SOUPY!!
Another legend passes. Being from the Detroit area, Soupy was a big part of my childhood, even though his local show had long since moved on. He did have a “revival” of his show here in the 80s, and that was fun. Somewhere in the Hamptons, Howard Stern is crying as this was his idol. RIP Soupy.
My wife and I were extremely saddened to hear that soupy passed away. He give us more laughs than we deserved to have. He will be missed by our entire family.
No Soup for Us!!
Very sad.
Soupy was part of my childhood. I’m so sad to see him go.
Soupy was legend in our family and a hero for his irreverence during the ’50’s when there was only corny humor for kids. He was a one-man SNL for kids. Always my hero.
Bye Soup. I remember one segment from his show where someone would make 5 squiggles on a piece of paper and then Soup would have to make a picture out of it. We always tried it at home.
I remember watching him on t.v. as a kid in the early sixties in Detroit …. a fought-for privilege because my parents were wary of him …. and he always seemed to know how to talk to and have fun with kids, like he was playing with us and ignoring any adults who might be around, just like we did.
My best and warmest wishes to his surviving families and friends. I know he was much loved and will be missed.
I watched him all the time, along with Capt. Kangoru and Flippo the clown. Don’t forget Howdy Doddy and Buffollo Bob. SS about spelling.
Here’s to a great pie-oneer. RIP Soup. Wished I could have tossed a couple of pies with you.
REST IN PEACE SOUPY. MY MOTHER AND MYSELF WOULD WATCH YOU ALL THE TIME. SHE GOT THE BIGGEST DELIGHT WHEN HE GOT A PIE IN HIS FACE. WE DIDN’T GET TV UNTIL I WAS 18 YEARS OLD. SHE LOVED HIM AND SO DID I. BY THE WAY I’M 68 AND IN MY DAY, HE WAS THE BEST THING ON THAT BOX.
A big part of a Detroit childhood gone. Hope it was peaceful and painless. Deepest sympathy to family and friends
I used to watch Soupy everyday after school in the earlt sixties. He was the greatest. So damn funny and sarcastic! He, along with Black Tooth, White Fang, Pookie and Hippie were hilarious. I remember he would always say” wait someone’s at the door”… then he would open it and he would either get a pie in the face, or some crazy character would be stopping by to see him. Such innocent, fresh and honest humor. God bless you Soup, thanks for everything!
You couldn’t find a single photo of him to post?
As a kid, I used to have my lunch with Soupy every day when he was in Detroit with his program..He was one of a kind
Nothing but fond memories in watching Soupy…does anyone remember “Poukey Kisses”? Perhaps that is something my older brother made –up, Just to annoy me? They just don’t make them llike that anymore. You will be missed.
Bummer…another member from my childhood is gone forever.
RIP, Soupy…what a nice man
Once quipped”My wife can’t make an apple pie , but she sure can make a banana cream !
Soupy, you will be missed by the greatest generation. So many good times with Fang and black tooth. Sorry that this generation needs to grow up with babes in hot tubs. RIP old friend.
As a kid in New York State, my girlfried Elissa and I watched Soupy every day. His sense of humor had a profound influence on us. We made our own White Fang & Black Tooth puppets, would “punch” each other in the mouth & spit out chiklets,the squiggly lines game and yes even a few pie tosses. He was a great inspiration to childhood imagination. What a shame all his old shows were lost in a fire. I would love to experience them again!
Linda Gant states his TV shows burned up in a fire, Hey Linda, I just bought a dvd of his show.. so you CAN experience him again ! dont know how many are available tho. Everything everyone has said about him here,brings back more memories..blah oh blah oh blah ! RIP SOUPY…LUV YA
Do the Mouse yeah! We remember when Soupy asked us kids to send in those green bills we could find around the house! He almost lost his show then…He was a TRUE INNOVATOR BEFORE COMEDY BECAME TRULY HIP…soupy WAS THE HIPPEST EVER!
Am I the only one to remember the chalk board menu with what’s for lunch today? No commercial, just balanced diet? How forward thinking! y’all forgot to mention Milky the Clown and Twin Pines Dairy.
He was a true innovator for his time, gentle, borderline sarcastic humor..always the pie. A real loss for us all.
I remember peeing in my pants watching Soupy getting pied. We will miss him.I remember the stunt about sending him money from mommys purse.
RIP
Thank you “Soupy Sales”. Your humor was, is, greatly appreciated and laughter is the best of medicines. Thank you again.
“I kissed my girlfriend between the strikes and she kissed me between the …” Comic genius. I’ll miss you forever Soupy. Jay R.
Soupy was a small part of my childhood & I am so glad to see him go. Here’s a big sloppy pie in your face Supman!
I was an adult and watched his show with my daughter. He was hysterical and pretty naughty in a subtle way. I always loved him. “Oh blah, oh blah, oh blah.”
I saw some of the old black and white shows when they were rebroadcast in the 80s. Loved them. He was definitely one of the inspirations of Pee Wee Herman and Krusty the Clown.
i took my wife out to the baseball game last night. i kissed her between the strikes . she kissed me between the balls.” that got his show canceled.