Avery Lawrence Schreiber (April 9, 1935 – January 7, 2002) was an American comedian and actor. He was a veteran of stage, TV and film.
Schreiber was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Minnie (née Shear) and George Schreiber. He started his career in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre. He joined The Second City and later teamed with Jack Burns to form the comedy team of Burns and Schreiber. They recorded several comedy albums and appeared on numerous television shows.
Schreiber is remembered for his many Doritos ads, as well as his appearances in classic television shows. He was easily recognizable for his trademark bushy moustache, curly hair, and comedic reactions. In 1965, Schreiber played the role of Captain Manzini on My Mother The Car, starring Jerry Van Dyke.
In the summer of 1973, he hosted the ABC comedy show, The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour.
Schreiber was a regular guest star on Chico and the Man, starring Freddie Prinze and Jack Albertson. He was also a frequent star on the game show Match Game and a guest in a first-season episode of The Muppet Show. (written by former partner Jack Burns, of which he even makes a slight comment to him during a stand-up routine in the episode)
Avery continued to work in film, television and the Theater, as well as teach Improvisational Theater technique to thousands of students up until the time of his death. He taught master classes at The Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles as well as teaching out of his very own living room! His students will always be grateful for the pearls of Improv wisdom that he so generously passed on to all of them. Karly Rothenberg, long time friend and protegee, continues to teach Avery's Improvisational Theater technique, as it was passed on to him, by his mentor, the legendary Viola Spolin, at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and so, "The Tradition Continues..."
In 1994, Schreiber suffered a heart attack, which was brought about by his diabetes. Though he survived triple bypass surgery, he never fully recovered. He died of another heart attack on January 7, 2002, aged 66. He was residing in Los Angeles at the time of his death.
In 2003, the Avery Schreiber Theatre was founded in North Hollywood, California.
Television work
