One place where they congregated was Hanson's, a diner where Bruce met Joe Ancis, who had a profound influence on Bruce's approach to comedy. However, he found it difficult to differentiate himself from the thousands of other show business hopefuls who populated the city. Īfter a short period living with his father in California, Bruce settled in New York City, hoping to establish himself as a comedian. In 1959, while videotaping the first episode of Hugh Hefner's Playboy's Penthouse, Bruce talked about his Navy experience and showed a tattoo he received in Malta in 1942. ĭuring the Korean War era, Bruce served in the United States Merchant Marine, ferrying troops from the US to Europe and back. by reason of unsuitability for the naval service'. However, he had not admitted to or been found guilty of any breach of naval regulations, and successfully applied to change his discharge to 'Under Honorable Conditions.

He defiantly convinced his ship's medical officer that he was experiencing homosexual urges, leading to his dishonorable discharge in July 1945. In May 1945, after a comedic performance for his shipmates in which he was dressed in drag, his commanding officers became upset. Īfter spending time working on a farm, Bruce joined the United States Navy at the age of 16 in 1942, with active service during World War II aboard the USS Brooklyn (CL-40) in Northern Africa, Palermo in 1943, and Anzio, Italy in 1944. His mother, Sally Marr (legal name Sadie Schneider, born Sadie Kitchenberg), was a stage performer and dancer and had an enormous influence on Bruce's career. His British-born father, Myron (Mickey) Schneider, was a shoe clerk they saw each other very infrequently. His parents divorced before he was 10, and he lived with various relatives over the next decade. According to his biography, during part of his high school years, he lived at Dengler's Farm on Wantagh Avenue in Wantagh, New York. He grew up in nearby Bellmore, and attended Wellington C. Bruce was Jewish, born Leonard Alfred Schneider in Mineola, New York.

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