Friedman Paul Erhardt, 63; ‘Chef Tell’ appeared in TV cooking spots

Friedman Paul Erhardt, 63, a German-born cook known as “Chef Tell” who was one of America’s pioneering television chefs, died of heart failure Friday at his home in Upper Black Eddy, Pa., his family said. He also suffered from diabetes.

Erhardt’s jolly personality, thick German accent and wit made him a fixture on television shows such as “Regis and Kathie Lee” and comedy skits on “Saturday Night Live.” He was also said to be the inspiration for the Swedish chef on “The Muppet Show.”

Born in Stuttgart in 1943, the son of a newspaper owner, Erhardt earned the nickname “Tell” after playing William Tell in a school play. He trained in restaurants and hotels throughout Europe.

He made his first appearance on a local Philadelphia TV show, “Dialing for Dollars,” in 1974.