Biography

Ken Shapiro was born on June 5, 1942 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Groove Tube (1974), Modern Problems (1981) and Singing Faces (1968). He was married to Kelly Hamilton,. He died on November 18, 2017 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.

Uncomfortable in the corporate structure of studio and TV networks, Shapiro left Hollywood after his film "Modern Problems," eventually settling in Los Cruces, New Mexico. Seminal film writer and director Ken Shapiro passed away quietly at his home on November 18, 2017, after a valiant struggle with cancer. Though the trans-formative impact of his comedic point of view continues to ripple in current culture, life and Ken Shapiro were not friends ... more like worthy adversaries, drawing strength and purpose in combat. It was pretty much a draw, and life misses him already.

Father of Jenny Shapiro and Emily Shapiro. The third child to perform as a Shapiro Sister on Saturday Night Live was named Helena but she was not a sister and not a Shapiro.

Various entertainment industry observers credit Ken Shapiro and his 1974 independent raw sketch comedy, "The Groove Tube," with being the template for modern comedy's media-wise, frank sensibilities. Film director Gus Van Sant said of Ken, "I learned much more from him than anything in school," and further credits Shapiro with being the pioneering source of "Saturday Night Live." Jim Knipfel, OZY.com, wrote: "In terms of contemporary American comedy, I'm hard-pressed to think of another single film that was more widely influential." The television spoof was an outgrowth of Shapiro's earlier New York innovation, "Channel One." Shapiro's news anchorman satire with his signature sign off line, "Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow," was later adopted for "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live." Shapiro also co-wrote and directed 20th Century Fox's 1981 release, "Modern Problems".

Kenneth Shapiro was born in Newark, New Jersey to parents Frank and Leona Shapiro. Kenneth Roy Shapiro was already appearing in commercials when he was two months old. Known professionally as young kid actor Kenny Sharpe, he became a child star in the days of live television in New York City, and appeared often on Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater" as "the kid." In one memorable performance, he literally danced rings around Berle.

Graduate of Bard College.