Alexander King

Born Alexander Rosenfeld in Vienna in 1899, Alexander King later moved to the United States. He became a prominent media personality, particularly in the early days of television. His career gained significant momentum in 1958 with the publication of his memoir, "Mine Enemy Grows Older." This success led to frequent appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar, where his wit and personality resonated with audiences.

King continued to publish prolifically throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, releasing titles such as "May This House Be Safe From Tigers," "I Should Have Kissed Her More," and "Is There a Life After Birth?". His final book, "Rich Man, Poor Man, Freud and Fruit," was published just before his death in November 1965. He appeared on the "Today Show" to promote this last work. Shortly after, he fell ill and passed away at the age of 66, with his death attributed to natural causes.

Alexander King achieved widespread recognition following the 1958 release of his memoir, "Mine Enemy Grows Older." This publication marked a turning point, propelling him into public acclaim and leading to an invitation to appear on "The Tonight Show" hosted by Jack Paar. King became a regular and popular guest on the program, leveraging his distinctive voice and humorous observations. His literary output continued with several more books, including "May This House Be Safe From Tigers" in 1960, "I Should Have Kissed Her More" in 1961, and "Is There a Life After Birth?" in 1963. These works cemented his reputation as a notable humorist and memoirist.

In the days leading up to his death, Alexander King was actively promoting his latest book, "Rich Man, Poor Man, Freud and Fruit," which was released by Simon & Schuster on November 15, 1965. The following morning, he appeared live on the NBC "Today Show" to discuss the book with anchors Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs. Despite his clear articulation during the broadcast, King experienced a sudden illness upon returning to his Manhattan residence. He was admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital later that day, where he died at the age of 66 from natural causes. His passing was noted in The New York Times, which mentioned his wife, Margie (also identified by other sources as Mary Lou Swett), and two sons from a previous marriage, Robin and Mervin.