Dick Martin, (on the right) who was best known for being one half of the “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” comedy show in the 1960s, died from respiratory complications. He was 86.
Martin, who had a severe lung condition for years, died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, with family and friends at hand, citing family spokesman Barry Greenberg.
The comedian, paired with comic Dan Rowan, was known for telling risque jokes and coming up with bogus theories about life on the “Laugh-In” show, and popularizing catch-phrases such as “Sock it to me!”. The show debuted in January 1968 and was canceled in 1973.
“Laugh-In” made stars of actresses Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin, and featured appearances by actors such as John Wayne and Kirk Douglas and even Richard Nixon, while he was campaigning for president in 1968. Rowan died in 1987.
Martin is survived by his wife Dolly Read, and two sons, actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin
