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39 important dates in the life of Jack Benny
From the Waukegan Historical Society
1894
On February 14th Benjamin Kubelsky was born at Mercy Hospital in chicago. The family lived at various addresses in Waukegan during Jack's childhood, including several years at 224 South Genesee Street.
1900
Jack received a half-sized violin for his sixth birthday.
September 12th Jack's sister Florence was born.
1907
Jack graduates from south School, then located on Liberty Street between Utica and Oak Streets.
1910
Jack obtains a job playing the violin in the pit of the Barrison Theater at 25 South Genesee Street.
1911
Following a visit to teh Barrison Theater by the Marx Brothers, Jack was offered an opportunity to tour with them for $7.50 per week plus room and board. Jack's parents declined the offer.
1912
Jack teamed up with Cora Salisbury, a pianist, to form the vaudeville duo "Salisbury and Benny: From Grand Opera to Ragtime". During that time, he changed his name to Ben K. Benny.
1913
Cora Salisbury retired from the act and Jack teamed up with Lyman Woods, forming the duo "Bennie and Woods: From Grand Opera to Ragtime".
1917
Bennie and Woods performed at the famous Palace Theatre in New York.
Jack returned to Waukegan to care for his ailing Mother, who died that November.
Jack enlisted in the Navy as was assigned to the Great Lakes Naval Station. Jack received a small role in the Great Lakes Revue, and his career in comedy was launched.
1919
Jack created a solo vaudeville act called "Ben K. Benny: Fiddle Funology".
1921
Jack's act was revised to eliminate most of the singing and music to focus on comedy. He was then billed as "Jack Benny: Aristocrat of Humor".
1927
On January 14th, Jack married Sayde Marks of Vancouver at the Clayton Hotel on sheridan Road (in Julius Sinykin's apartment).
1929
Jack signs a five year contract with MGM for $850 per week.
1932
On March 29th Jack appeared on a fifteen-minute radio program hosted by Ed Sullivan. His forst lines were: "This is Jack Benny talking. There will now be a slight pause while everyone says, 'who cares?' '.
Jack signed a contract to be emcee of The Canada Dry Ginger Ale Program on CBS.
1933
On March 3rd Jack premiered his first radio show for The Chevrolet Program, sponsored by General Motors.
1934
Jack and Mary (Sayde) adopted a two-week old girl, Joan Naomi.
On October 14th Jack premiered The JELL-O Program sponsored by General Foods. By the end of the first season, the show was the third most popular program on radio.
1939
On June 25th Jack premiered his new movie, Man About Town, at the Genesee Theatre following a live radio broadcast of his JELL-O radio program from the theatre.
1940
Jack released his movie Buck Benny Rides Again, based on a character from his radio program.
1942
Due to sugar rationing, the radio program became The Grape Nuts Show.
1944
On October 1st Jack's new radio show, The Lucky Strike Program, debuts.
1945
Jack's final starring appearance in a film: The Horn Blows at Midnight.
1950
On October 28th the first episode of The Jack Benny Show hit Television. Jack's first line was "I'd give a million dollars to know what I look like!".
1954
Jack co-hosts Chrysler's Shower of Stars with William Lundigan (until 1958).
1955
On May 22nd Jack's last radio show aired.
1957
Jack wins an Emmy for best male performer in a comedy role.
1961
In October Jack attended the dedication of the Jack Benny Middle School at 1701 Montesano Ave.
1965
On April 16th Jack's last regular television show aired.
1968
Jack did comercials for Texaco with the slogan "I'll try a gallon".
1974
On April 24th Jack made his last visit to Waukegan, appearing at the inaugural concert of the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra.
On December 26th Jack died at the age of 80 at his home in Beverly Hills, CA.
1975
The Cusoc Center in Lake County was renamed The Jack Benny Center for the Arts (the road in Bowen Park leading to the Center was renamed Jack Benny Drive in 1986).
1983
On June 30th Mary Livingstone died.
2002
On June 8th the dedication of the Jack Benny statue took place in Benny plaza at the corner of Genesee and Clayton Streets.
2006
Jack Benny fans tried (unsucessfully) to get Jack's picture on the face of the new 39 cent stamp.
On April 17th Jack's home at 518 Clayton Ave. is designated a Waukegan landmark. The family rented the home from 1909 - 1910. It is the last home still standing in Waukegan in which Jack lived.