Johnny Puleo
Encyclopedia
Johnny Puleo was an American musician and actor, who specialized in playing the harmonica
.
He performed in front of such notables as the Royal Command in England and the Presidents of the United States and France. In addition to his mastery of the harmonica, he was a past master of the art of pantomime and a dramatic actor of considerable ability.
Puleo was one of the very first performers to introduce America to using the zip code. In the commercial he would climb up a little ladder and say "now remember, use your zip code" as he'd point to a letter going into the mail box.
Born a dwarf
in Washington, DC (he stood 4 feet 6 inches or 1.37 meters as an adult), he worked as a newspaper seller until being discovered at a contest in Boston held by bandleader Borrah Minnevitch
, of The Harmonica Rascals. Soon he joined a comedy variety act, during which time he learned the art of pantomime that has contributed so much to his success. He then joined the Rascals, with whom he toured the world.
In 1941 Johnny tried to leave the Rascals and start his own group. The entire new group moved in with Johnny's parents, living and rehearsing in the basement. It did not last long, though, because Borrah Minevitch found them and got them working for him again.
After Minevitch's death in 1955, Puleo formed his own band, The Harmonica Gang. He recorded various albums with the Gang and solo on the Audio Fidelity label, as well as acting in several films, most notably Trapeze (film)
.
The Harmonica Gang appeared at top supper clubs throughout USA, including the famous Latin Quarter (nightclub)
in New York and Miami Beach; The “Riviera” in Las Vegas; “Palmer House” in Chicago; “The Roosevelt” in New Orleans and “Twin Coaches” in Pittsburgh and venues like the Moulin Rouge
and London Palladium
overseas.
Puleo made numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show
and The Hollywood Palace
, and made his last professional appearance on SCTV
the year before his death.
Johnny also appeared in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he met local band leader Conrad Johns ( http://www.conradjohnsband.com/) and upon meeting Puleo, Connie's 5-year-old son Steven said "Hey, I'm as tall as you." Johnny just smiled and
said, "And that's as tall as you're ever going to get if you keep crackin' jokes like this."
He died of a heart attack at Holy Cross Hospital in his native Washington D.C. in 1983.
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
.
He performed in front of such notables as the Royal Command in England and the Presidents of the United States and France. In addition to his mastery of the harmonica, he was a past master of the art of pantomime and a dramatic actor of considerable ability.
Puleo was one of the very first performers to introduce America to using the zip code. In the commercial he would climb up a little ladder and say "now remember, use your zip code" as he'd point to a letter going into the mail box.
Born a dwarf
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
in Washington, DC (he stood 4 feet 6 inches or 1.37 meters as an adult), he worked as a newspaper seller until being discovered at a contest in Boston held by bandleader Borrah Minnevitch
Borrah Minnevitch
Borrah Minnevitch , born Bora Minjevic, was a notable harmonica player, actor, and leader of his group The Harmonica Rascals...
, of The Harmonica Rascals. Soon he joined a comedy variety act, during which time he learned the art of pantomime that has contributed so much to his success. He then joined the Rascals, with whom he toured the world.
In 1941 Johnny tried to leave the Rascals and start his own group. The entire new group moved in with Johnny's parents, living and rehearsing in the basement. It did not last long, though, because Borrah Minevitch found them and got them working for him again.
After Minevitch's death in 1955, Puleo formed his own band, The Harmonica Gang. He recorded various albums with the Gang and solo on the Audio Fidelity label, as well as acting in several films, most notably Trapeze (film)
Trapeze (film)
Trapeze is a 1956 circus film directed by Carol Reed and starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigida, making her debut in American films....
.
The Harmonica Gang appeared at top supper clubs throughout USA, including the famous Latin Quarter (nightclub)
Latin Quarter (nightclub)
Latin Quarter is a nightclub in New York City.The Club which originally opened in 1942 featured big name acts. In recent years it has been a focus of hip hop, reggaeton, and salsa music....
in New York and Miami Beach; The “Riviera” in Las Vegas; “Palmer House” in Chicago; “The Roosevelt” in New Orleans and “Twin Coaches” in Pittsburgh and venues like the Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a cabaret built in 1889 by Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. The closest métro station is Blanche.The Moulin Rouge is...
and London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
overseas.
Puleo made numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
and The Hollywood Palace
The Hollywood Palace
The Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly on ABC from January 4, 1964 to February 7, 1970. It began as a mid-season replacement for the short-lived Jerry Lewis Show, another variety show which had lasted only three months...
, and made his last professional appearance on SCTV
Second City Television
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.- Premise :...
the year before his death.
Johnny also appeared in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he met local band leader Conrad Johns ( http://www.conradjohnsband.com/) and upon meeting Puleo, Connie's 5-year-old son Steven said "Hey, I'm as tall as you." Johnny just smiled and
said, "And that's as tall as you're ever going to get if you keep crackin' jokes like this."
He died of a heart attack at Holy Cross Hospital in his native Washington D.C. in 1983.