In 1954 Tommy made his debut at the Hotel Flamingo in Las Vegas.
There was Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and the rest and
Tommy Cooper, all fez and size 13 boots. He walks on stage with a pair
of glasses with antlers stuck on them. 'Uh-huh. Horn-rimmed glasses'
Then the gag about going to see his doctor. 'I had to. He was ill.'
Curiously the Americans loved him. The U.S. press said he was the high
spot of the show. Tommy said, "No wonder I'm six feet four, the rest of the
performers are three feet six." The hotel was bowled over.
On his way back to the U.K. he stopped in New York where he was offered
a season at the Radio City Music Hall. A good offer, but he couldn't accept
it. He was booked solidly for the next two years in England.
In March 1963, Tommy returned to the United States to do a couple of
appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.
It was interesting to note that Ed, who could make or break acts without
a second glance, took a shine to Tom.
Photo © Thames Television
Photo © WQED Television
On the second show, 31 March, Ed Sullivan introduced him as 'the funniest man ever to appear on this stage'. Tommy wowed the audience with a funny hats routine.
He was asked back on to the show again, twice more, in 1967. Appearing with Ethel Merman and the pop group the Lovin' Spoonful.
