Secretive Facts About Paul Lynde, The Wisecracking Uncle
Paul Lynde's hilarious, boundary-pushing one-liners kept home audiences in hysterics.
The actor spent his entire career playing the stereotypical hilarious gay uncle on screen and vehemently denying he was also the hilarious gay uncle off-screen as well.
One thing's for certain: Lynde had horrifying tragedies at his back and shocking skeletons in his closet.
1. He Wanted Drama
Paul Lynde came from humble beginnings. Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, he was the fifth of six children and his parents owned a meat market. When Lynde was just five years old, he had a fateful experience: His mother took him to see the silent film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. That was it for the young boy. He knew at that early age that he wanted to be a dramatic actor.
He had no clue that leading the life of an entertainer would be a magnet for trouble.
2. He Had A Favorite
Growing up in a large family was difficult for Lynde. When he was still a boy, Lynde latched on to one sibling, his older brother Coradon, as his go-to for friendship. He even made the mistake of calling him his favorite sibling out of his five brothers and sisters. So, why was it a mistake to have a favorite? Because sometimes life is just that cruel.
3. He Lost Him
Lynde's favorite sibling was older than Lynde and just the right age to participate in WWII. Coradon Lynde went to Europe to fight for freedom and ended up in one of the most famous incidents: the Battle of the Bulge.
This was the battle that was the beginning of the end for Germany. Sadly for Lynde, it was also the end of his brother: they declared him missing in action and presumed deceased.
But there was even more suffering to come.
4. He Was A Big Boy
Lynde’s mother was famous for her cooking, and since his parents owned a butcher shop, there was no shortage of good food at the Lynde residence. Once Lynde had graduated from high school, this dangerous combination had him weighing 95 kg (205 lb). Lynde’s size embarrassed him, and this embarrassment followed him throughout his entire life.
Luckily, he found a silver lining to cling to.
