Carol Horne

Martin Alan Feldman (1934–1982) was a British actor, comedian, and writer recognized for his unique facial features. He began his career in comedy writing, contributing to popular shows like 'Bootsie and Snudge' and the BBC Radio program 'Round the Horne' alongside Barry Took. Feldman later transitioned to performing, gaining significant recognition for his roles in 'At Last the 1948 Show,' which he co-wrote, and his own BBC series 'Marty,' for which he received two BAFTA awards. His distinctive look, stemming from Graves' ophthalmopathy and possibly other factors, became a celebrated aspect of his persona, which he himself acknowledged as a career asset. He often joked about his appearance, contrasting it with conventional acting aspirations.

Feldman's career extended to a successful filmography, including appearances in 'The Bed Sitting Room,' 'Every Home Should Have One,' and notably as Igor in Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein,' earning him the first Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in 'The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine' and 'Marty Back Together Again.' Beyond his comedic roles, Feldman engaged with various social and political issues, expressing socialist convictions and advocating against gun violence after John Lennon's death. He was also a lacto-ovo vegetarian and gave evidence in favor of the defendants in the obscenity trial for Oz magazine. Feldman died of a heart attack in 1982 while filming in Mexico City.

Born in London to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Martin Alan Feldman experienced a solitary childhood, partly due to evacuation during World War II. His distinctive, misaligned eyes were a result of Graves' ophthalmopathy, a condition related to thyroid disease, possibly exacerbated by childhood injuries and surgery. Feldman viewed his unique appearance as a significant advantage in his career, contrasting it with the conventional looks of other actors and embracing his role as a 'novelty.' This self-awareness and humor about his physical traits became a hallmark of his public persona.

Feldman's initial foray into entertainment was as a writer, forming a notable partnership with Barry Took. Together, they penned scripts for the ITV sitcom 'Bootsie and Snudge' and the acclaimed BBC Radio series 'Round the Horne.' He also served as chief writer for 'The Frost Report,' co-writing the famous 'Class' sketch. His transition to performing saw him rise to prominence in the sketch comedy series 'At Last the 1948 Show,' where he co-wrote the celebrated 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch. This led to his own successful BBC series, 'Marty,' which garnered international attention and two BAFTA awards, paving the way for a film career.

Following the success of his television series, Feldman launched a film career, appearing in comedies like 'Every Home Should Have One' and Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein,' where his portrayal of Igor earned him critical acclaim and the inaugural Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor. He continued to work in television with 'The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine' and 'Marty Back Together Again.' Feldman also ventured into Italian cinema and appeared in other notable films such as 'Silent Movie' and 'The Last Remake of Beau Geste,' the latter of which he also directed. His television appearances included 'The Dean Martin Show' and a memorable guest spot on 'The Muppet Show.'

Feldman identified as a socialist, though he humorously noted the practicalities of earning money in America to pay back taxes to the UK government. He was a vocal advocate against gun violence, particularly after the murder of his friend John Lennon, and testified in favor of defendants in the Oz magazine obscenity trial. A lacto-ovo vegetarian since childhood, Feldman also penned an autobiography, 'Eye Marty,' which was published posthumously. He died at the age of 48 from a heart attack while filming 'Yellowbeard' in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy as a unique comedic talent.

“If I aspired to be Robert Redford, I'd have my eyes straightened and my nose fixed and end up like every other lousy actor, with two lines on Kojak. But this way, I'm a novelty.”

“I'm a socialist by conviction, if not by lifestyle”

“I'm a socialist from way back, but in order to pay my back taxes I have to live in America to earn enough money to pay the back tax I owe to the socialist government that I voted in.”

“I feel it would be presumptuous for me to make any statements about American politics because I'm a guest here.”