Jerry Colonna

Gerardo Luigi "Jerry" Colonna (September 17, 1904 – November 22, 1986) was a multifaceted American entertainer known for his roles as a musician, actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, and trombonist. He gained prominence as one of the most eccentric sidekicks of Bob Hope during the 1940s and 1950s, captivating audiences through radio shows and films.

Colonna was instantly recognizable thanks to his exaggerated facial expressions and his distinctive handlebar mustache. His comedic style included singing in what author Gerald Nachman described as a "comic caterwaul," and he frequently employed the catchphrase "Who's Yehudi?", often following an unrelated old joke. This phrase, believed to reference the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin, became a beloved recurring joke on the Hope program.

He made notable appearances in three of the iconic Hope-Crosby Road films: portraying Achilles Bombassa in Road to Singapore (1940), a Cavalry captain in Road to Rio (1947), and making a cameo in The Road to Hong Kong (1962). Colonna also appeared in Fred Allen's film It's in the Bag! (1945) as Dr. Greenglass and shared the screen with Hope in the "Wife, Husband and Wolf" sketch in Star Spangled Rhythm. In 1956, he showcased his vocal talent by performing the featured song "My Lucky Charm" in Meet Me in Las Vegas, alongside Dan Dailey and Cyd Charisse.

Furthermore, Colonna lent his voice to the March Hare in Disney's animated classic Alice in Wonderland (1951) and contributed his unique narration style to several Disney shorts, including Casey at the Bat (1946) and The Brave Engineer (1950).