Dick Shawn was a guest star on a very popular in 1960s TV-show "Password" (1961).
Died on stage of a heart attack.
Father of Adam Shawn.
Interred at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California, USA.
The irony of his death on stage is that it went "unnoticed" because of Shawn's strict instructions to stage crews. He would tell all concerned that he was liable to do anything at any time, including pratfalls, and that they were not to react to this. At his last performance, it did not occur to anyone that something tragic had happened until it was felt that his lying motionless on stage had run the joke rather thin. It was only then that Shawn was discovered to have died doing what he did best; enthralling his audience with his marvelous humour.
Was supposedly the first person to execute the icon "The High Five", in the movie, The Producers (1968). It was during the play in the movie, "Springtime For Hitler", the character of Hitler played by Shawn sent for Goebbels who was played by David Patch, and instead of putting his hand in front of for the "give me five", Shawn held it up and Patch slapped it. Though it would not become popular till many years later.