Lenny Schultz was an American alternative comedian best known for his work on the television show Laugh-In and for his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His work commonly utilized props, physicality, and improvisation. His style influenced comedians like Gallagher, Carrot Top, and the Legendary Wid.

Before becoming a comedian, Schultz served in the United States Army and worked as a gym teacher in Queens. He earned a Bachelor's degree from New York University and a Master's in education from Hunter College. Throughout his comedy career, he continued working as a teacher in Queens, often declining late-night comedy gigs on weeknights so he could be prepared for classes in the morning.

In addition to regular appearances in the Catskills, Schultz performed on The Merv Griffin Show, The David Frost Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Mike Douglas Show, amongst others. He also did acting work on shows like The Late Summer Early Fall Bert Convy Show and Drawing Power.

He retired from teaching in 1988 and considered himself "semi-retired" from comedy in the 1990s, continuing to work but on a more limited schedule.

Sources

• Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• Barnes, Mike. "Lenny Schultz, Wacky Stand-Up Comic, Dies at 91." The Hollywood Reporter, published 17 March 2025. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• Cohen, Amanda. "Comedian Lenny Schultz still goes crazy after all these years." The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via Newspapers.com, published 25 June 1996, p. D-2. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• "Leonard Schultz." 1950 United States Federal Census via MyHeritage. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• "Leonard Schultz & Helen D Fleischer." New York City Marriage License Index 1908-1972 via MyHeritage. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• "Leonard Schultz & Helen Fleischer." New York City Marriages, 1950-2017 via MyHeritage. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.
• Sandomir, Richard. "Lenny Schultz, Comedian Who Made a Lot of Noise, Dies at 91." The New York Times, published 20 March 2025. < link > Accessed 20 March 2025.