Comedian Charlie Callas dies in Las Vegas

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Charlie Callas, a versatile comedian and sidekick whose zany faces and antics made him a regular for more than four decades on television, in films and on casino stages, died Thursday in a Las Vegas hospice, said his son Mark Callas.

Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy said the death was from natural causes.

Callas toured with Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones, and had a screen part with Jerry Lewis in ‘The Big Mouth’ in 1967.

His facial expressions and rapid-fire comedy also made Callas a favorite on the ‘Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson.

He also worked with Mel Brooks and was the voice of Elliot in Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon.’

The complete Times obituary by Dennis McLellan is here.

-- Associated Press