1908-
Comedian and Actor

The First Star.

Milton Berle was television's first star and helped establish home television as an entertainment medium. Staring in the NBC comedy-variety series "Texaco Star Theatre" from 1948 to 1956, Berle became known as "Mr. Television." The popularty of his show, which aired every Tuesday evening at eight o'clock, helped secure an audience for the fledgling medium during its early years. Vaudeville. Born in 1908 to show-business parents, Berle began performing professionally in vaudeville at the age of five, honing the skills as a comedian that prepared him for his radio and television career. Vaudeville was adapted to television as the variety show, and Berle was one of the first in television to take advantage of the public's familiarity with the form.

Show Format.

The show was a live musical-comedy act with Berle acting as master of ceremonies and participant. Filled with sight gags...