Bill Dana

Bill Dana – Life, Comedy, and Legacy

Explore the life and legacy of Bill Dana (1924–2017) — the American comedian, creator of the José Jiménez character, writer, actor, and cultural figure who left a complex mark on comedy and television.

Introduction

Bill Dana, born William Szathmary, was an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer whose name is forever tied to the comic persona José Jiménez. Active from the 1950s through the 1990s, Dana played a pivotal role in television sketch comedy, used humor to engage with social issues, and later reflected critically on identity and representation. His life and career offer lessons about creativity, evolving social norms, and the responsibilities of comedians over time.

Early Life and Family

William “Bill” Szathmary was born on October 5, 1924, in Quincy, Massachusetts, to Joseph and Dena Szathmary. Irving Szathmary, would go on to compose the theme song for the television series Get Smart.

Growing up during the Great Depression and in a family of immigrants, Dana’s early years were shaped by economic challenges, multicultural surroundings, and a lively linguistic environment. He credited a multilingual neighborhood and exposure to multiple languages through his older brother Arthur for developing his ear for accents and dialects.

Youth, Education & Military Service

Dana graduated high school in Quincy and soon enlisted during World War II, serving in the United States Army with the 263rd Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division. Bronze Star.

After the war, under the GI Bill, Dana attended Emerson College in Boston, graduating in 1950 in speech and drama.

Career and Achievements

Early Steps: Nightclubs, NBC, and Writing

After college, Dana moved to New York and began working as an NBC page at Studio 6B (the famed NBC building).

His talent as a writer gained early traction: Dana began writing material for comedians including Don Adams, contributing to the “Would you believe…?” routine that would later become a staple in Get Smart. The Steve Allen Show as a writer, and over time became one of its prominent contributors.

Creation of José Jiménez

In 1959, while on The Steve Allen Show, Dana introduced the character José Jiménez, a fictional Latin‐American with a strong accent and gentle disposition. astronaut became one of his signature sketches — comedic interviews, space jokes, and playful miscommunications.

The José Jiménez routines became very popular during the early 1960s, especially on variety shows and in comedy albums. “The Astronaut (Part 1 & 2)” charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #19 in September 1961.

The Bill Dana Show & Television Success

Due to José’s popularity, NBC gave Dana his own sitcom, The Bill Dana Show, which aired from 1963 to 1965.

On The Bill Dana Show, José interacted with other characters: Jonathan Harris played his boss, and Don Adams appeared as a bumbling detective Byron Glick — the same character type that Adams would later bring to Get Smart.

Dana also worked behind the scenes in television: he produced and wrote for various shows (e.g. The Spike Jones Show), supplied scripts, and later even wrote a famous All in the Family episode titled “Sammy’s Visit” featuring Sammy Davis Jr.

Shift, Decline, and Reinvention

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, shifting cultural attitudes made ethnic humor more controversial. Some critics and Latino groups viewed José Jiménez’s caricature as offensive. 1970, Dana publicly “retired” the José Jiménez character, staging a mock funeral at a Latino cultural convention with the declaration that “José is dead.”

Despite retiring José, Dana remained active in comedy writing, occasional acting, and public engagements. In later years, he appeared in series like The Golden Girls (as Sophia’s brother Angelo) and St. Elsewhere. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Later in life, Dana founded the American Comedy Archives, housed at Emerson College, where he conducted interviews with many of the great comedians of his era—preserving oral histories.

Historical Context & Cultural Shifts

• Bill Dana’s career spanned a transformational period in American entertainment: the rise of television, variety shows, sitcoms, and the culture wars of the 1960s–70s.

• His José Jiménez character emerged in an era when ethnic and immigrant stereotypes were more tolerated in comedy—but over time such portrayals drew critical scrutiny.

• Dana’s decision to retire José reflects the growing awareness in the public sphere of representation, stereotype harms, and evolving standards in humor.

• His role as a writer and mentor intersects with the golden age of TV comedy — he contributed to the shaping of comedic voices like Don Adams and others.

Legacy and Influence

• Dana’s José Jiménez remains a controversial but historically significant comedic figure—both for his popularity and for how his legacy prompts reflection on cultural sensitivity.

• He is credited with influencing the careers of Don Adams, Jackie Mason, Don Knotts, and others through his writing and mentorship roles.

• The American Comedy Archives stands as a lasting institutional legacy, helping to preserve the voices of comedic artists for future generations.

• Dana received lifetime achievement honors from various institutions (Emerson College, Boston comedy festivals) recognizing his multi-faceted contributions.

• His career exemplifies how a comedian can adapt, self-reflect, and respond to changing social norms.

Personality & Talents

Bill Dana was known by colleagues and friends as thoughtful, respectful, and self-aware. In interviews, he emphasized that José Jiménez was not meant to demean any group, but to be a universal figure of innocence and optimism.

Dana was versatile: performer, writer, cartoonist, and interviewer. He combined creative output across media rather than limiting himself to stand-up alone. Later in life, his role as an oral historian revealed his love for comedy not just as performance but as cultural memory.

Famous Quotes & Dialogues

Because Bill Dana’s legacy is heavily tied to sketch and character work rather than a trove of quoted interviews, his most memorable lines come via José Jiménez:

• “My name… José Jiménez.” — the signature self-introduction of the character.

• A classic José exchange:

  Ed Sullivan: “What is that crash helmet for?”
  José Jiménez: “Oh, I hope not.”

• From Dana in interview:

  “I love that character, because he was just so sweet … There was a Pollyanna aspect to him. It never was a caricature.”

• On representation and retiring José: he acknowledged changing attitudes and the responsibility of a comedian in challenging times.

Lessons from Bill Dana

1. Evolve with your audience
   Dana’s willingness to retire José when times changed shows that responsible creators must adapt as cultural norms shift.

2. Merge creativity and integrity
   He sought to create humorous characters without malice and later accepted accountability as perspectives evolved.

3. Be multifaceted
   Dana did not limit himself to stand-up; he wrote, produced, taught, and preserved—broadening his impact.

4. Honor memory through documentation
   Through the American Comedy Archives, Dana showed that preserving history is part of a comedian’s legacy.

5. Mentorship matters
   His efforts to support other comedic voices highlight the value of sharing opportunities and knowledge in artistic communities.

Conclusion

Bill Dana’s story is one of a creative spirit navigating both laughter and responsibility. The José Jiménez character brought him fame, but his later reflection and willingness to recalibrate show a depth beyond punchlines. As writer, performer, and archivist, Dana’s contributions endure—both in how we laugh, and how we remember the evolution of comedy itself.