According to his long-time manager Hilliard Marks, comedian Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky; 1894-1974) was a generous and thoughtful man. This contrasted greatly with the image he projected in his performances, notably his immensely popular radio program which ran from 1932-1955, and thereafter his television program (still among the longest-running), until 1964. Benny's miserly character is among the most completely established in American performance.
When Benny's daughter Joan was married for the first time, the L.A. Times had a headline,
"Jack Benny's Daughter Married in $25,000 Affair."
Not to be outdone, the L.A. Examiner's headline was,
"Benny Spends $50,000 on Daughter's Wedding."
Friend Eddie Cantor woke Jack up with a phone call to say,
"Did you read either of the morning papers yet?"
"No."
Cantor replied,
"Well, do yourself a favor and just read The Times. You'll save $25,000 ..."
----------------A Final Thought ...
"I'm Thinking ..."
- Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky; 1894-1974). Among the most famous line in his career, Jack's character said these words, after a long pause, when challenged by a robber with the words, "Your money or your life."