Avery Schreiber

Avery Lawrence Schreiber (April 9, 1935 - January 7, 2002) was an American comedian and actor. Schreiber was a veteran of stage, television and film. He came to prominence in the 1960s in a comedy duo with Jack Burns, then went on to an array of acting parts mostly on television sitcoms and a series of advertisements for Doritos tortilla chips.

Life and Career
Schreiber was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Minnie (nee 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 series.

Schreiber is remembered for his many Doritos ads in the 1970s, as well as his appearances on classic television series. 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.

In the summer of 1973, he co-hosted he ABC comedy The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour.

Schreiber was a regular guest star on the situation comedy Chico and the Man. He was also a guest on the game show Match Game and a guest in a first-season episode of The Muppet Show (written by former partner Jack Burns, whom he mentioned during a stand-up routine in the episode).

Schreiber continued to work in film, television and theater, as well as teaching improvisational theater technique up until the time of his death. He taught master classes at The Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles and also taught out of his home.

Both he and his wife Rochelle had two children.

Death
In 1994, Schreiber suffered a heart attack resulting from complications of diabetes. Though he survived from triple bypass surgery, he never fully recovered. On January 7, 2002; Schreiber died from another heart attack at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Legacy
In 2003, The Avery Schreiber Theatre was founded in North Hollywood, California. In 2013, The Avery Schreiber Theatre changed its name to The Avery Schreiber Playhouse with the approval of Rochelle Issacs Schreiber (Shelley), Avery's wife. It is located at 4934 Lankrshim Blvd. in the NoHo Arts District.

Shows Appeared
Oh My Word

Hollywood Squares

Showoffs

Celebrity Sweepstakes

Rhyme and Reason

Break the Bank (1976 version)

Word Grabbers (3rd Pilot/1976)

Make Me Laugh

Match Game

Card Sharks