Stan Freberg, American adman and satirist, dies at 88
Comedian Stan Freberg, who created a number of humorous adverts in the 1950’s and 60’s, has died at the age of 88.
He is known for revolutionizing the advertising industry by injecting satire into it at a time when adverts were generally more serious and dull. Some of his most successful campaigns were for brands such as Jeno’s Pizza and Sunsweet.
In a Sunsweet spot from the 1960’s promoting pitted prunes, a snob who has been convinced to try the prune says the fruit is sweet and moist before commenting, “They’re still rather badly wrinkled, you know.”
Freberg was also a voice actor for Warner Bros cartoons and had his own radio show.
Admirers, including comedian Weird Al Yankovic, paid tribute to Freberg on Twitter:
Very sad to say that one of my absolute all-time heroes has just passed away. RIP Stan Freberg. A legend, an inspiration, and a friend.
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) April 7, 2015
He died in Santa Monica, California and is survived by his wife, son and daughter.