Bud Mercer.com

About Bud Mercer...

Bud Mercer spent most of his life in show business – in one form or another. He worked with his brother Jim as The Mercer Brothers for more than 70 years. He will be remembered as a talented dancer, singer, musician and comedian.

 

His career took him from vaudeville houses on the Orpheum, Paramount, and RKO Circuits to playing the ultimate theater for vaudevillians, the Palace Theater in New York.

 

The motion picture industry lured Bud and his brother to Hollywood. They dreamed of stardom while they worked as dance extras in movie musicals for several years before WWII. When the war broke out the brothers enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

 

Following the war, USO tours and live television were next on Bud and Jim’s agenda. Performing in dinner theaters around the country followed with the shows Baggy Pants, Giggles Galore, and Sugar Daddies.

 

At age 76, Bud believed it was time to retire and write his memoirs, so he returned to college to take a writing course. However, it wasn’t long before show business called the Mercer Brothers back to the theater. In 1992 they revived their act for the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, and continued for eleven seasons with the Follies until Jim’s death in 2003.

 

Following Jim’s passing, Bud returned to his writing, primarily poetry. In celebration of his 100th birthday in 2013 we published a collection of his poems – Food for Thought - to share with family and friends.

 

His love of dance led him to share his knowledge and experience with the Class Act Dance & Performing Arts studio in Paso Robles. A scholarship was created in his name to support young boys pursue their passion for dance.

 

Singer-songwriter-musician, Rick Clampitt, was inspired to write a heart-felt song for Bud after meeting him briefly in 2013. Bud’s story lives on in the music and lyrics of this moving tribute.

Click on the title,  "Centurian Man". to watch and listen on YouTube.

 

 

 

 

 

Bud Mercer

September 5, 1913 - October 27, 2014

Bud and Molly Comin, dance instructor and friend, performed to a standing “O” at his

100th Birthday celebration!