Milton Berle

1908–2002 · American comedian, “Mr. Television”

Milton Berle was a vaudeville-bred American comedian whose Texaco Star Theater made him television’s first breakout star in the late 1940s, earning the nickname “Mr. Television.” A relentless collector and reciter of one-liners, he became a natural magnet for stray witticisms — which is how “Laughter is an instant vacation” came to be pinned to him around 1977, years after the saying was already circulating. He helped popularize it, but the evidence does not show he coined it.

Traced to source

2 quotes we’ve traced to Milton Berle

“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door”

Attributed

“Laughter is an instant vacation”

Disputed

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