Bill Dana Quotes

A collection of quotes by Bill Dana.

Bill Dana is an American comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his iconic character José Jiménez. He was born on October 5, 1924, in Quincy, Massachusetts. Dana began his career as a journalist before transitioning to comedy writing for popular television shows in the 1950s. However, his breakthrough came in the early 1960s when he created the character of José Jiménez, a bumbling astronaut, for The Steve Allen Show.

Dana's portrayal of José Jiménez was immensely popular, and he went on to perform the character on various television shows, stand-up routines, and even released comedy albums. José Jiménez was a satirical representation of a Mexican immigrant, though Dana himself had Hispanic roots. Despite controversy surrounding the character's portrayal, Dana continued to perform as José Jiménez throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Beyond his work as José Jiménez, Bill Dana had a successful career as a comedian and actor. He appeared in numerous television shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Danny Thomas Show, and The Golden Girls. Additionally, he co-wrote and produced the popular sitcom The Mothers-in-Law, which ran from 1967 to 1969.

Bill Dana's contributions to comedy and television made him a beloved figure in the industry. Despite the controversies surrounding his portrayal of José Jiménez, Dana's legacy as a talented comedian and writer endures. He passed away on June 15, 2017, leaving behind a lasting impact on American comedy.