Tiny Tim

With his long, scraggled, and frequently wildly died hair, baggy clothes, high-pitched, quavering singing voice, and trademark ukulele, Tiny Tim was briefly an icon of the late '60s and '70s, one of those celebrities famous for being famous. Though his act was unbelievably goofy, he possessed a flamboyant sweetness and charm that drew audiences to him. Born Herbert Khaury, he became nationally famous when he appeared on the popular Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In in 1968 and daintily (no small feat for Tim was a hefty-sized man) sang his most famous tune, one that had been popular earlier in the century, "Tip-Toe Through the Tulips", while flabbergasted host Dick Martin looked on. The next year, Tiny Tim provided Johnny Carson's Tonight Show with some of its highest ratings ever when the musician married his beloved Miss Vicki (Vicki Buddinger) on the air. Though Tiny Tim faded from public view over the next few years, he continued performing live (often singing the signature songs of other artists, including punk rocker Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell") until he suffered a heart attack during a Massachusetts performance on September 28, 1996. He survived, but was left with only 40 percent of his heart intact. Tiny Tim died on November 30, 1996, following another heart attack. He is survived by his third wife Sue.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide