Who Is Soupy Sales? Age, Biography and Wiki
Soupy Sales, born on January 8, 1926, in Franklinton, North Carolina, was an iconic American comedian and actor known for his slapstick humor and whimsical character. He made a significant mark in television history during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly with his innovative children's programs. Throughout his career, he showcased his unique style, blending comedy with an improvisational flair that won the hearts of audiences nationwide.
Soupy Sales continued to be recognized for his contributions to entertainment until his passing on October 22, 2009. His legacy remains influential in the comedy world, inspiring countless comedians who came after him.
| Occupation | Stand-up Comedians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1926 |
| Age | 83 Years |
| Birth Place | Franklinton, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 22 October, 2009 |
| Died Place | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Popularity
Soupy Sales's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Soupy Sales stood at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm) tall, which helped him command attention on screen. His weight fluctuated over the years; however, during his prime, he was approximately 180 pounds (82 kg). His charismatic personality and vivacious energy made him an engaging performer, regardless of his physical dimensions.
Sales is best known for his daily children's television show, Lunch with Soupy Sales. It was originally called 12 O'Clock Comics, and later known as The Soupy Sales Show.
Improvised and slapstick in nature, it was a rapid-fire stream of comedy sketches, gags and puns, many of which resulted in Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark.
He developed pie-throwing into an art form: straight to the face, on top of the head, a pie to both ears from behind, moving into a stationary pie, and countless other variations. He claimed that he and his visitors had been hit by more than 20,000 pies during his career.
He recounted a time when a young fan mistakenly threw a frozen pie at his neck and he "dropped like a pile of bricks".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Soupy Sales was married twice. His first marriage was to Janet (Kathy) Sales in 1950, with whom he had two children. However, they divorced in 1966. Later, he married his second wife, a former model named Joan, in 1970, who remained by his side until his death.
Despite his humorous persona, Soupy valued his family's privacy, making limited public disclosures about his dating life. In the context of 2025, discussions surrounding his relationships primarily focus on his contributions to comedy and television rather than personal life details.
His father, a Jewish dry goods merchant, emigrated from Hungary in 1894. His was the only Jewish family in town; Sales joked that local Ku Klux Klan members bought the sheets used for their robes from his father's store.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Soupy Sales' net worth was estimated to be around $10 million. His wealth primarily stemmed from his long-standing career in television, film, and theater, along with various endorsement deals throughout his career. Collectively, Soupy's influence and contributions to American entertainment have solidified his financial legacy, which continues to be honored and celebrated after his death.
Career, Business and Investments
Soupy Sales had a diverse career spanning over five decades. He first gained recognition with his television show, "The Soupy Sales Show," which combined humor, sketches, and a unique creativity style. His creative talents extended beyond television, as he also appeared in films, commercials, and voice work.
In addition to his television work, Sales was known for guest appearances on various talk shows and reality series that highlighted his comedic talents. He even dabbled in music, with several recordings from his early career.
Sales got his nickname from his family. His older brothers had been nicknamed "Ham Bone" and "Chicken Bone". Milton was dubbed "Soup Bone", which was later shortened to "Soupy". When he became a disc jockey, he began using the stage name Soupy Hines.
After he became established, it was decided that "Hines" was too close to the Heinz soup company, so he chose Sales, in part after vaudeville comedian Chic Sale. He graduated from Huntington High School in Huntington, West Virginia, in 1944.
He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on USS Randall (APA-224) in the South Pacific during the latter part of World War II. He sometimes entertained his shipmates by telling jokes and playing crazy characters over the ship's public address system.
One of the characters he created was "White Fang", a large dog that played outrageous practical jokes on the seamen. The sounds for "White Fang" came from a recording of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Social Network
Even after his death, Soupy Sales's comedic genius resonates on various social media platforms, where fans and fellow entertainers celebrate his work and impact. Dedicated fan pages and tribute accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook highlight his best moments and significant milestones, keeping his spirit alive among new generations of comedy lovers.
Sales' novelty dance record, '"The Mouse", dates from the mid-1960s period of his career, when his show was based in New York. The single, released on the ABC-Paramount label, peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1965.
Sales performed "The Mouse" on The Ed Sullivan Show in September 1965, just prior to The Beatles' segment on the show. Sales signed with Motown Records in 1969, releasing the single "Muck-Arty Park" (a play on the 1968 hit "MacArthur Park"), as well as the album A Bag of Soup.
Soupy and Frank Nastasi also cut and recorded a comedy and song story disk, "Spy with a Pie", for ABC-Paramount. It was re-released by "Simon Says" children's records.
Education
Soupy Sales attended the University of North Carolina, where he initially pursued a degree in sociology. However, his passion for performance led him to pursue a career in entertainment instead. His educational background helped him navigate the complexities of the comedy world, blending academic skills with a natural gift for humor.
Sales enrolled at Marshall University, known as Marshall College at that time, where he earned a master's degree in journalism. While there, he performed in nightclubs as a comedian, singer and dancer.
