Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 80-81. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
Father of Adam and Amy, with wife Alicia.
Got his stage name when he was a lad working at Dinty Moore's Tavern in the Bronx as a singer/waiter. He had to wear a uniform with 48 buttons, and with his red hair people started referring to him as Red Buttons.
Has 2 children: Adam and Amy. Also, has a sister.
Made a special Academy Awards appearance in 1998, at the The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998) (TV), and in 2005 at the The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) (TV) and participated in the Oscar Winners Tribute sequence along with other Academy Award winners.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).
Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV).
Was the oldest guest to appear on "Dennis Miller Live" (1994). On the 6 August 1999 episode, he was 80 years, 6 months and 1 day old.