Click on any entry in Barry Bradford’s Speaking Schedule for full details.

Steve Martin

Lake Forest Library 360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL, United States

A common cliché in show business is to refer to someone as "one of a kind." Often that is hyperbole. But in the case of Steve Martin, it is literally true! There is no one who has a skill set … Continue reading

The Life Of Robin Williams

Private Venue

The Life Of Robin Williams Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians of all time.  His improvisational skills were almost other-worldly!  Yet behind the comic persona lay a complex man- intensely charitable and compassionate but plagued by insecurity, battling addictions, and … Continue reading

The Marx Brothers

Highland Park Country Club 1201 Park Avenue West, Highland Park IL, IL, United States

The Marx Brothers were much, much better than you remember! Their humor uplifted American spirits during the Depression and established new standards for comedy. The Marx Brothers' combination of odd and unique talents, including a harp-playing mime, a Jewish comic … Continue reading

Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius

Highland Park Country Club 1201 Park Avenue West, Highland Park IL, IL, United States

 Gracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television, and film. And yet if I asked you to name the greatest comedienne's of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading

Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius

Private Venue

Gracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television, and film. And yet, if I asked you to name the greatest comediennes of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Private Venue

Not only did Mary Tyler Moore “turn the world on with her smile,” as her iconic show’s theme song declared, she also influenced a generation of women to become more independent and to pursue successful and fulfilling careers. Moore’s own 50-plus-year … Continue reading

Bob Newhart

Deerfield Public Library 920 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL, United States

Bob Newhart turned 93 on September 5, 2022. He is a living legend and widely regarded as one of the nicest men in Hollywood history. Two of his sitcoms became iconic and his appearances on the Tonight Show were legendary. … Continue reading

The Life Of Robin Williams

Private Venue

The Life Of Robin Williams Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians of all time.  His improvisational skills were almost other-worldly!  Yet behind the comic persona lay a complex man- intensely charitable and compassionate but plagued by insecurity, battling addictions, and … Continue reading

The Life Of Robin Williams

New City Library 220 N. Main Street, New City, NY, United States

The Life Of Robin Williams Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians of all time.  His improvisational skills were almost other-worldly!  Yet behind the comic persona lay a complex man- intensely charitable and compassionate but plagued by insecurity, battling addictions, and … Continue reading

Sid Caesar – The Meteoric Career Of A Comic Genius

Private Venue

In the opinion of many TV critics, the Sid Caesar programs were the funniest , best-written and most creative shows in the history of television comedy. Caesar's writing crew (including Carl Reiner, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, and Selma … Continue reading

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