Freddie Prinze's Incredible Debut on National Television | Carson Tonight Show

[@gpn3489]

For three years I attended Performing Arts while Freddie was there. We were both Drama majors but he was one class ahead of me. Everyone at P.A. knew before anyone else that he would be a star. We would cut class in the boy's bathroom on the first floor and Freddie would be there, "smoking and joking", holding court. When he was a senior, he barely attended his academic classes in the morning because he was doing gigs at night but he would always show up for his acting classes in the afternoon. They graduated him anyway, haha. His mind was made up very early on. He was determined to make it...and he did. Great guy, got along with everyone, no one ever had a bad thing to say about Freddie. I'm blessed to have known him before Hollywood. He was one of us.

[@MikeyN617]

His son would love to hear this i bet

[@minutewithmark7564]

Idk any 19 year olds today that could do a set like that on Tonight Show so composed, great story telling, perfect timing and the Praise from Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis and the crowd was fantastic..

[@catherinesvbialosh7260]

19 year olds back then were the maturity of 35 year olds today

[@catherinesvbialosh7260]

This was perfection!!

[@minutewithmark7564]

@@catherinesvbialosh7260 You got that right for sure.. All 7 of my kids are “adults” now but the younger one’s are all still about Tic-Tock, Video games and their phones which they only text me on. All 5 of my siblings & myself left home the summer of our graduations and at 18 started our own lives..

[@brianmiller1077]

Eddie Murphy had that kind of thing at 18-19 too.

[@ghanasoul]

Very true. Also, Freddie was a very OLD looking 19 year old. When i was 19 i looked 15. Not too many 19 year olds over 6 feet tall with a mustache. Ha.

[@cabellero1120]

When was the last time You saw a 19 yo with such Great comedic timing? Exactly! He was gifted RIP

[@chrisharris7931]

He wasn't funny, in the least.

[@JustJoe326]

​@@chrisharris7931 Well, there's plenty of evidence that very popular comedians thought he was funny. At least their opinions really count.

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

Eddie Murphy!! 😂😂

[@Me-qp8vz]

@@JustJoe326 To who?

[@bozodog428]

Talented, good looking guy with that million dollar smile. We miss you Freddie!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Johnny's introduction was so gracious and reassuring. He understood how hard the business could be for a new talent.

[@kawaiiafangirl]

At only 19 years-old, I think only Eddie Murphy had that level of confidence, poise, charisma, and talent on the stand-up stage. There have been a lot of comedians who were great at a relatively young age, but only 2 were good at the tender young age (and even their early 20s)- Freddie Prinze and Eddie Murphy. It's a shame Freddie died so early. Not only did he leave behind a child, but he had incredible talent.

[@daddydoza5164]

And who else but chapelle

[@kawaiiafangirl]

@@daddydoza5164 Dave was great at a young age but he clearly got a lot better as a comedian by the time he did his half hour special on HBO in 1998. Compare that to his Def Comedy Jam material when he was 19-20 years-old though and to me, a 19-20 year-old Dave wasn't quite there yet.

[@dreddmann9292]

yeah and Eddie Murphy never got high. So that should be a real lesson to any young and up coming comic, that even though everyone one the scene is getting high and partying all the time, you don't have to participate in order to make it big. Just let your brother Charlie enjoy all the drugs that was offered to you.

[@NelsonVlog66]

I easily could have seen Freddie cast as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop had he lived and Eddie had turned it down. Also could have seen Freddie and Eddie working together. That would have been insanely fun.

[@Pashasmom1]

Freddie wasn't vulgar. That was the difference between him and Murphy.

[@davidhick964]

Wow. Freddie Prinze was just 19 years old here. So poised and mature. What stage presence.

[@Borg9]

I saw this live

[@depaola63]

Rest his soul he looked 37 😳

[@williamschlemmer5282]

It's heartbreaking yeah he was 19 there on Johnny Carson yet he killed himself when he was 22

[@jaysantos536]

@@depaola63 Dead at 22. Who kills themself at 22? Even much bigger stars like Hendrix and Morrison made it to 27...

[@depaola63]

@@jaysantos536 I hear you 😳 sad.

[@nibsvkh]

The look on Freddie’s face as the realization slowly came to him what an endorsement was being lavished by Johnny. In hindsight a life changing moment.

[@nuwavedave]

December 6, 1973: I was 19 years-old attending a Christmas party for the Los Angles radio station I was a dee jay at. We were in a fellow station guy's apartment overlooking the ocean. We're all partying in the living room - when I suddenly noticed everyone wandering into the bedroom, where the TV was. The Tonight Show was on, and Johnny had just introduced Freddie Prinze. From his joke about being a "Hungarican" 'til Johnny broke for a commercial, we couldn't stop laughing. There was no doubt Freddie was going to be a star.

[@JohnHoffman65]

That was high praise from Johnny and he was right on the money with his prognostication.

[@SweetChicagoGator]

Prognostication? Gee whiz brother ! What or whom made you choose that word?! LOL ! 🙄🥴😁

[@penelope8557]

Wrong.

[@Petergonzalezcomedy]

I agree he’s the greatest to ever do it

[@JohnHoffman65]

@@SweetChicagoGator Because he prognosticated?

[@SweetChicagoGator]

@@Petergonzalezcomedy Recently I discovered Dick Cavett, who is very well liked as Johnny, but was on daytime TV. He also had so many stars and celebrities that really adore him, including great, yet private, Marlon Brando. They became personal friends after exchanging home phone numbers. Go to youtube and look up the Dick Cavett shows. 😀 He gave well thought-out interviews of his guests !

[@johnsjohnson448]

What a special moment. Sammy Davis Jr. was always the best, supportive audience. Thanks for sharing.

[@ericandy88]

When you get Sammy to applaud, you are going places.

[@m42037]

Yep and Sammy was a excellent drummer, many don't know this and a heck of a tap dancer, comedian, singer, what couldn't Sammy do?? The Rat Pack those three guy's were very talented!!

[@glennover6046]

@@ericandy88 Sammy Davis Jr. pointing to the audience clapping, "There's your answer." Classic!

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

@@m42037 And impressionist. And actor.

[@Rob_Kates]

The very next day, he got his sitcom. This showed the power of a strong performance on Johnny's show.

[@FloridaMugwump]

Yes, they gave him the part written for a preteen Mexican boy. Hilarious.

[@lemurianchick]

@Rob_Kates: You don't say...And Sammy was a member of the Church of Satan sitting right there during Freddy's debut. Maybe he was Freddy's handler...

[@adamellis6785]

"Chico and the Man" was actually first developed as a show for Cheech & Chong, based on their "Pedro and Man" routines. They weren't interested, so the producers were actively looking for someone they could cast in the lead. Freddie was in the right place at the right time, and truly had the talent and likeability to pull it off.

[@ricksegal3065]

Freddie was an awesome comedian and Carson was so incredible and kind to start many great comedians career!

[@loucontino4804]

Absolutely true!

[@peterdirection4608]

Not as kind to his own family unfortunately. Lol

[@gunman462]

@@peterdirection4608 You're out of the group Pierce.

[@terr777]

I remember this well. Just a couple years older than me. Instant crush! Johnny and Sammy so complimentary. He must have been over the moon.

[@xdmaster7888]

I didn't know until recently (after reading a book about the L.A. Comedy Store) that this was the 1st time Johnny Carson had ever invited a debut comic to join the guests and then praised him when they were talking. What a career-making and life-changing moment that was for Freddie Prinze.

[@NFL1976]

Get it right. He was not junior.

[@xdmaster7888]

@@NFL1976 You were 100% right. Corrected.

[@NFL1976]

@@xdmaster7888 Yea but I didn't have to be so snotty about it! Sorry:)

[@isabellind1292]

@@NFL1976 THAT'S WHAT I JUST SAID! Who does that? If a comedian doesn't pass the laugh test, they're out of luck getting invited over to sit w/him? GROSS!

[@glennmoyers4956]

I couldn't imagine the thrill Freddie must have had.... to be on the Tonight Show and get to sit with Johnny, Ed and Sammy. For a comedian, what an honor.

[@jokerswildio]

This was a very historical moment here. Freddy Prinze is an iconic figure symbolizing the 70s and he paved the way for Hispanic actors and artists to gain acceptance in mainstream media and society. Even though he was very poised and mature, he was still only 19--the abrupt fame and fortune was a psychological trauma that he couldn't handle. Another tragic tale from "the tears of a clown."

[@bobdudy7177]

I remember it, and Freddie. I truly mourned his passing. It was like the last thing you'd have expected. It shows how no matter how Tallent an Artist can become, the environment of Success is not conducive to longevity of the Spirit. Freddie was one marvelous Soul.

[@budbundy4014]

Unfunny beaner

[@pedropablo7325]

Check out Gonzales and Gonzales. Mid 1950's Mexican comedian on popular American show!

[@jokerswildio]

@@pedropablo7325 Thanks will do 👊

[@giannaromano582]

⁠ 6 6:22

[@BGNY67091]

Just watched this for the first time. This was incredible

[@wingchundragon]

Damn, HE KILLED IT. Great set. A shame he's forgotten about whenever they mentioned the greatest of all times. Died too soon

[@robgoldstein6910]

Such a great talent and sad story. Johnny knew his greatness at 19. Love this performance.

[@rociobany290]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that he took his life at 22 ...his fame was like a shooting star ...so much potential & talent ...gone in a flash !! 🌹🖤🎭

[@jennifersman7990]

Same here, his potential was unlimited

[@alexandrajackson8498]

Read Pam Grier's autobiography and you'll get an understanding as to why. She was going to marry him. 😢

[@Pickleleen]

Depression is a terrible struggle.

[@jeremylindsey94]

@@alexandrajackson8498 Since you recommended it, I just bought it. Foxy: My Life in Three Acts

[@BobbyL-jm1hq]

Cocaine abuse will do that....very tragic.

[@RaineStudio]

He was a natural. Incredible timing.

[@JAY-wb2fv]

Freddie Prinze in 1973. It was a very different time. 50 years ago. Great comedic timing, Freddie.

[@ghanasoul]

FINALLY!! They FINALLY posted this classic Tonight Show debut of Freddie Prinze!! Thank U very MUCH for postin!!

[@johndalton3180]

A star being born right before our eyes. Remarkable footage.

[@johnfachy393]

Such a talent and Johnny Carson’s encouraging words, class act!

[@erinriwen]

He had so much talent and charisma. I remember that day clearly. I had the radio on and they announced what had happened. I sat on the floor next to our big console stereo and prayed. When they announced that he had died, I just sat there and cried for ages. 😢

[@davidhick964]

From Freddie Prinze's wikipedia page. I thought this was interesting: "Without telling his parents, Prinze successfully auditioned for the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, where he was introduced to drama and continued ballet - and where he discovered his gift for comedy while entertaining crowds in the boys' restroom. He dropped out of school in his senior year to become a stand-up comedian."

[@mexicanspec]

Didn't Johnny say on this show he graduated?

[@luishumbertovega3900]

I loved Chico And The Man, from the José Feliciano song that started the show to the funny interactions between Freddie and his Academy Award winner co-star Jack Albertson, what a 1-derful comedy show !!! I was an 18 years old musician scheduled to debut as an organ player at a wedding one 1977 January saturday morning at San Juan PR when I grabbed a local newspaper and read about the 22 years old comedian of Puerto Rican roots that had attempted suicide with a gun but was still alive (the word that described his condition was "moribundo", which means 'near to death') and a photo of him flashing that beautiful smile was printed at the side of the text. I just couldn't believe it. During the rest of the day I couldn't think of anything else, hoping that he made a recovery, then hours later the terrible news announcing his demise arrived. What a tragedy !!!

[@jennifersman7990]

I remember it too, I believe it was Rona Barrett who broke the news on one of the network morning shows

[@jennybaji421]

I wasn’t even 10yrs old playing in the front yrd & my mother came from accross the street walking to the porch as she told me that while we all were watching “Chico & the man” lastnite on channel 5? Lastnite ,(NBC in cincy) The Chico n the man guy “CHICO” Was in a hospital fighting for his life, he shot himself my son. He committed suicide. Fighting with his wife...... I rode off on my Big Wheel realizing people even funny people can KILL THEMSELVES? Sad! I never heard of that b4 & wished he wouldnt have done that to himself . ive ofen thought of mommy walking by sadly telling me the news........ She didnt let me see her sadness but im sure when she got inside away from the kids it was another story. I grew up a little that day on that big wheel...... Sad but true...... RIP where ever u are “by now” 👉🏼Mr.Freddy Prinze

[@Redeemed_30]

I remember the night THIS show came on. The Country fell in love with Freddie that night. He was an instant hit. Then came Chico and The Man. Freddie had it. I saw him at Westbury. So freaking funny. Hard to believe that he’d be gone in 3 short years. Love you Freddie.

[@jrussellcase]

I'd forgotten how damned funny he was. Now I gotta go watch "Chico And The Man". RIP Sir. Gone way too soon.

[@20alphabet]

He was definitely damned, but he was never funny.

[@hippielove3100]

I loved him too

[@aarongoldstein7614]

He just had it. That presence. Chico & The Man was a wonderful showcase for his talent. Freddie Prinze & Jack Albertson had a remarkable chemistry between them. Sadly, the fame was too much for him to handle. R.I.P.

[@texaz58]

Every time that I watch this I am again amazed at the poise and charisma that he displayed. And only 19 at that.

[@gmoney8585]

A teenager so composed, polished, and poised, confident

[@krisgray8124]

What else can I say? Looking Good!!!

[@SweetChicagoGator]

Freddy was a wonderful guy I still miss him after all these years. He died too young. 💔

[@stormshadow_3000]

Actually the time was about right for a cocaine/qualude fueled degenerate that he was. Also he was a dysfunctional cocaine degenerate from Puerto Rico which made it more about right

[@stevedyches4635]

It was his choice for whatever reason to off himself.

[@jillkjv3816]

He was 19, I was 15. Those were the days. (And I'm from NY too). 😊

[@tntnationwide]

The way he stopped several times to say “Thank you” to the crowd…genuine and brilliant.

[@jobethgraves7338]

I miss Freddie Prinze!!! He was a great artist!! So sad for the way his life ended!!

[@dannythomas417]

He'd be so proud of his son too.

[@spenfor1598]

I saw this the night it aired!!! 🙄 He was so cute and funny!!! 😙 I followed his career and was so sad to watch his downward spiral in such a small amount of time!!!! 😔 Such a talent but had a tortured soul!!! RIP Freddie 💕

[@200girl4]

My heart just broke when I saw the last 2 episodes of "Chico & the Man" that had Freddie in it. He was so gaunt, dark and had no joy in his appearance or acting. I knew there was something wrong. Either depression or drugs, I can't believe no one stepped in to help him. He would be alive today. Committing suicide by gun was so horrible to hear. I was 17 and had a huge crush on him. I was more sad at his passing than when Elvis passed. I pray that he was forgiven for his sin and I see him again in heaven. ❤️FP forever❤️

[@CherylMays-xf6bh]

@200girl4. I just want you to know that I have felt the same way you have, it's absolutely "IRONIC" but everything you've said in your text is what I've been feeling for a long time even up till now, I just started watching Chico and the Man on TUBI and just seeing his handsome face & that beautiful smile! He'll Never Be Forgotten By Me And Those Who Loved Him. Ive Felt This connection to him and I cannot explain it. I've even Prayed For Him To Enter Heaven's Gate When The Time Comes. GODBLESS YOU! Have a blessed Day! 🙏🏽🕊️💔🌟😔

[@Meg_Lovegood]

WOW, this Man was Made from that one moment on Johnny... Back in the day that's all you needed, today late night 😞 isn't as good as it once was.

[@Primus54]

Late night of today is unwatchable. Nothing but politics and virtue signaling. And the so-called “comedy” is forced and unfunny.

[@LatinLonghorn80]

Man……I loved me some Freddie. I actually watched this show on TV back in 73. You could tell even then he was destined for great things. May he RIP.

[@Borg9]

What's really incredible was that Freddie hosted the Tonight Show a few years later

[@jeffreygranger6913]

Six floor run-up was HILARIOUS. Am I the only one who got it? Wouldn't be the first time I laughed at something all by myself.

[@Lockemeister]

Yes, it was a good one.

[@AegisNova]

I caught it, too-for once! 😉

[@jeffreygranger6913]

@@AegisNova Seems to have gone over the audience's head.

[@BronxEMS]

I know , my first thought was "hey isn't it a walk up?" But then I thought about the times I got mugged in the lobby!!!

[@DavianSinner]

@@jeffreygranger6913 Not all of their heads. A few were laughing and he stopped momentarily.

[@bryanfarless9579]

Hilarious. I use to watch Chico and The Man long ago. RIP brother, you had a gift.

[@jamesanderson6373]

*used

[@ontarioguy4707]

@@jamesanderson6373 *use

[@larryaldama1673]

👍🤣😔

[@m42037]

@@jamesanderson6373 What grade did you make it 🙄 I know 9th? Ok 10th

[@MrCJ-qz9dl]

He *SKYROCKETED* to stardom overnight. I guess it was overwhelming for such a youngster.

[@michellerene951]

When Johnny said You're gonna do fine it broke my heart. Freddie would take his life just 3 years later. He would have been big. RIP sweet angel.🙏🕊⚘️

[@billydurham4143]

Freddie Prinze was BIG. I watched his "Chico" every week. Great show.

[@jokerswildio]

The fact that he made it so big so fast is what led to the tragedy. He was still a teenager here!!

[@michellerene951]

@@jokerswildio I agree. Plus he was married and a father soon after.

[@jstarzz3780]

The very fact he' was on Johnny Carson show he' was destined for greatness ❤❤❤❤

[@ricksaunders8074]

This at 19 He rose to fame quickly His life ended to soon

[@alecaquino4306]

The brightest flames often burn themselves out the quickest.

[@sixflagsshowspast9616]

Such a wonderful young talent gone to soon. Rest in peace friend.

[@suzanne4504]

He was so talented. He exposed every stereotype with fun. Johnny was so generous to have him sit down after his set and be very positive for the future of Freddy's career.

[@raulmacias6146]

Wow! What a debut! Freddie looks so healthy and happy! December 6,1973.

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

I was just a kid when Freddie broke out. Still breaks my heart when I see these talented guys gone way too soon.

[@tenbroeck1958]

Can't believe he was only 19. That was a big catalyst for his career. I wish he had stayed longer.

[@charlescdt6509]

Hes a cross between Jay Leno and Eddie Murphy. Dude had skills.

[@CarlosCruz-ll5ez]

actually Jay Leno was his friend and roommate when they both started their comedy careers

[@denisedelgado715]

Thank you for posting this. I laughed and cried simultaneously. Laughed at his clever jokes, but cried because he was gone too soon. I sure miss his smile!

[@franzitaduz]

Just thinking of him after all these years. He was so talented, then gone by his own hand. Heaven only knows. Fame, the business pressures are not for everyone. The art remains, however. Thanks Johnny, for giving him a chance and his blessing. Sammy Davis, Jr. as well. Those men were great for more than their talent.

[@toddmiller6158]

I'm 65, and I work part-time at Home Depot. I use the phrase, "Is not my yob mayn" all the time. Thanks Freddie. 🙏 RIP.

[@LlyleHunter]

WOW! You really do work for Home Depot😂

[@m42037]

Hope you like working at 65

[@Primus54]

@@m42037 Some people like to “work”, no matter their age. My former father-in-law is 86, was a mechanical engineer and worth a million dollars, yet still works in his son’s warehouse unloading trucks and performing vehicle repairs & maintenance.

[@m42037]

@@Primus54 Probably because his wife has passed and he's got nothing else to do but get depressed and die, so he stays busy, self explanatory. I'm 56 and going back to work getting up every morning again at 4:30am just thinking about it could cause me to have a nightmare.

[@Primus54]

@@m42037 “Depressed” is an adjective that could not possibly be applied to him if you knew him. 🙄

[@BP-wv2xq]

I always knew Freddie prince Jr had Latin roots. But never dug into it. A skit randomly popped up on my IG. And he mentioned my hometown of Washington heights and I immediately began to research more. Loved how he always mentioned where he was from, sO sad he isn’t around to see how much it’s changed since his days here. ❤

[@grioulaloula8594]

I remember watching Chico and the Man. It was a big deal when Freddie died. I never saw him on the Tonight Show because I was too young to stay up that late. Thanks to the internet/KZbin for showing what a talent Freddie Prinz was at such a young age.

[@bk2524]

Magic all around. We need something like this now. Carson's show was truly a gift from God.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

Although Freddie Prinze was only 19 in this terrific debut performance and would be called an overnight sensation, he had been honing his craft for at least several years before this show. Freddie made it look easy, but he put in a lot of hard work perfecting his performances. Freddie was destined for the performing arts and could have been a terrific dramatic actor as well as a comedian. One of his high school teachers said as much about him at the time, not after the fact. But there's a fine line between comedy and tragedy. Sadly, Freddie was one of those comics that also felt great pain and left us far too soon.

[@gilbertodominguez5212]

I saw that particular show when it was originally broadcast. I was really impressed with Freddie Prinze and thought he was very funny, particularly, doing that accent. As he noted, his dad was Hungarian, Jewish, and his mother Puerto Rican. I was in the audience of the Tonight Show years later and thought about all the great comics that had gotten their starts there.

[@davidkopec9442]

He was awesome. A fully formed star at 19. Loved watching him on “Chico” as a kid.

[@bajaborracho9139]

Wow. What do you do for an encore? Destroys first time the tonight show with Sammy Davis Jr. and Carson singing his praises. Kids today cannot appreciate the gravity of that appearance. America fell in love with Freddie Prinze. Just the nicest kid in the world. What a tragedy. He was a shooting star.

[@raulmacias6146]

Johnny Carson was so gracious and warm. He put Freddie at ease. It's also wonderful that Sammy Davis Jr. was also a guest! Sammy and Freddie became good friends. What a magical night December 6,1973. That was my parents 19th wedding anniversary.

[@dbcruser3133]

RIP Freddie and Johnny . I miss you, you were the best.

[@johncritch6812]

1978 last year of highschool Chico and the Man was so popular when he died it hit our class really hard none of us had dealt with suicide before.

[@mrswolls]

He was such an incredible talent and he still was just a kid practically.

[@Bee164life3]

Need more young comedians like him. You don’t find that these days.

[@VIRGONOMICS]

Legend. Sad he left us so much too soon.

[@ruslannunez4449]

Oh Freddie...gone way too soon. I remember that appearance on Johnny and try to forget how he left us in shock. R.I.P.

[@Cesar-pq2ck]

He was 19 and had Sammy Davis Jr and Johnny Carson cracking. Wow!

[@samuelmorado70]

What Class Acts . All 4 of them. Sammy Davis especially. You can see the support hes giving Freddie

[@ChuckH2901]

Gold...pure gold!!!!

[@Suddenlyits1960]

Supposedly James Komack saw Freddie’s standup routine on this show and liked the “its not my job” part where Freddie was making fun of his landlord and got in touch with him about starting in “Chico and the Man”. Freddie literally became an overnight success. Johnny,the audience and Sammy all were incredibly supportive and kind here. Sammy kept saying “Dynamite,Dynamite” and applauding. Very high praise! I remember watching Chico and the man and being shocked when I heard Freddie shot himself. He was only 22 years old and on top of the world. All of his dreams had come true. Had he not got into drugs he would still be with us now. I was surprised that James Komack decided to recast Chico and the Man and continue the show rather than end it. First the tried bringing on Gabriel Melgar,then Julie Hill as a runaway girl...none of them could ever replace Freddie. Had he survived there’s no telling how long the show would have run and how big his career would have been.

[@erinriwen]

He had just signed a multimillion dollar deal with nbc 4 months before he died. All the amazing Freddie we could have had. 😢

[@pennyduncan6861]

I wish I could get my kids to watch Chico. Freddie was the bomb. He would have turned 70 this year. I had such a crush on him.

[@hi-railhardin]

We need more comedians today like Freddie!

[@umb2692]

He was so talented 😢 I wish he saw himself the way the world saw him ❤❤❤ what a beautiful soul ❤

[@sandraandrews9907]

Wow, just think at 19, he KILLS on the Tonight Show, has great success and ends his life at 22.💔😦💔 So, so tragic. RIP to him, Johnny, Ed and Sammy. All gone. 🙏🎤 Thank you for this clip, btw.

[@ralphadamo1857]

Johnny's last words in this segment have a lot of truth. The audience has to like you. That's half the battle of a comic. If they don't like you, even if your material and your delivery's good, that still won't cut it, though it's possible you still might win your audience over. And when they like you and you're funny, comedy magic happens. Freddie was a wonderful comic and it's tragic he left this world so young.

[@penelope8557]

Wow. That was really "incredible". Yessiree, Bob. Incredible is the word. When incredible debuts are written about, this incredible debut will top them all. Thank you for this incredible debut.

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

Johnny was so cool and kind to new comedians. Freddie was brilliant. So sad he didn't get help in time.

[@jessiejames7492]

I was watching some old episodes of chico and the man on youtube. Hes so talented. Never realised just how much when i watched yrs ago as a child.

[@lambchop6278]

Very sad to learn that this young man took his own life. I hope he is doing better where he is now.🥀

[@gerardanthony9834]

I saw Freddie at Catch a Rising Star a few months before this broadcast. Did a lot of this material. What a talent. Hilarious, confident, bold and relevant for the times. Sad.

[@lLoveCarolCleavland]

I remember the day he committed suicide, my grandma was quite upset. She really got a kick out him. She sat down next to me, showed me the article in the mercury news. I was only ten, I didn't know who he was, but I could tell he was a big deal to a lot of people at the time.

[@LlyleHunter]

I was in eighth grade and a big fan of his. I walked around for weeks confused and wondering why and how he could do it. He seamed to have everything going for him.

[@thomassant2154]

I remember that day very well myself, we were all praying he would survive but not to be. He had a charm few entertainers had but little did the public know the deep suffering he was going through. I lost a dear friend to suicide about 9 years ago and it still haunts me to this day that only if I could of kept him from killing himself. The sadness that is left behind never goes away, we can only hope we can be an influence or somehow help someone through their problems.

[@kayequinn7146]

I remember that day,shocked & so sad.He had a great comedic talent.

[@m42037]

From my memory he died from a Heroin overdose, same as my youngest daughter, not suicide, that was my late wife after almost 25 year's married, I need to write a book put it that way..

[@lLoveCarolCleavland]

@@m42037 when the paper came out the year he died, my grandma pointed out that it said it was gunshot to the head. But who knows, he was gone and that's all we were concerned about at the time.

[@m42037]

Thanks for that I remember Freddie/ Chico and the Man as a kid, so sad he died so young from heroin. Hits home for me my daughter died at 24 from the same thing. Miss Sammy and Johnny life is so short most the greats are gone now

[@julieblanke2440]

He died of a gunshot not drugs but he did use apparently

[@m42037]

@@julieblanke2440 Yes and was addicted to opiates, watch the interview with Geraldo and Tony Orlando, they were all buddy's. Geraldo warned about the addition being almost impossible to kick

[@jimmyl324]

What a fantastic performance.

[@vyaj]

Incredible talent

[@dadadrew]

Great cadence, timing....rhythm is Lenny Brucesque. He was fully in command at 19. Wow.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

Can you imagine the thrill of finishing up and Sammy Davis Jr giving you props.like that? Awesome

[@leanngraham229]

So mature for a young man of 19. Such a huge loss at a young age. I was 10 when he died and his death was how I learned of the tragedy of suicide.

[@FREEDOM195844]

Brings tears to my eyes because his life ended way too soon! Such great memories!

[@candyh9876]

😍Love Love Love Sammy Davis Jr. miss him so much ❤️ Freddie Prinze was adorable and funny at 19 and he just got better with age , gone to soon he is sorely missed 😪💔 Thank you for the memories !!!

[@gmoney8585]

They come in young like a meteor with amazing brilliance and then gone so soon

[@mnmssss21]

Man this really sucks. If only he knew he was great. That’s the hard part about this young man. He suffered mental illness all alone especially back then. May he be at rest. 🙏🏽🕊️😭♥️🎭💌

[@MrDuds1984]

What a shame and what could have been for Freddie he could have been a Travolta in the 80’s.

[@billyshepard5514]

Freddie had wanted to kill John Travolta! Find the Jimmy Walker Freddie story on KZbin

[@MrDuds1984]

@@billyshepard5514 I heard it and that’s a crazy story

[@Laney-yf4hh]

He had so much charm.

[@rediscoveryrecords1348]

Wow can u imagine. Being 19 and sitting between johnny carson and sammy david jr? Wow

[@manuelmaldonado2387]

the best i love him.