Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In Creator Dick Martin Dies in Santa Monica (PHOTOS)

Dan Rowan and Dick Martin

of the famed Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In has died in Santa Monica of respiratory complications. The 86 year old had a legendary career in nightclubs and as a television director. He was a master of satire and a champion for free speech.

Martin first met Dan Rowan in 1952. The pair hit Las Vegas and became the opening act for Nat King Cole. Martin was a regular on The Lucy Show in the early 1950's and he and Rowan were frequent guests on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Perry Como Show and The Dean Martin Variety Show.

Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In began it's 6 year run in January, 1968. NBC put the show on opposite The Lucy Show and Gunsmoke, two mega-hits and nobody gave the show much of a chance - but by the eighth show, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In was the number one show in the country. Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In taped 144 shows and went off the air in 1973.

The hour long show featured an offbeat ensemble cast that remained unrivaled until SNL. Goldie Hawn played the giggling dumb blonde, Lily Tomlin was Ernestine the telephone operator, Judy Carne was the 'sock it to me' girl, Artie Johnson played the German soldier and Ruth Buzzi was the little old lady with a mean umbrella. (See photos below)

Many catch phrases evolved over the show's run. They include: 'Is that a chicken joke?', 'Very interestink...but stupid', 'You bet your sweet bippy', 'Here come de judge', and 'Sock it to me'.

Martin directed the hit sitcom The Bob Newhart Show after his Laugh-In stint ended.

The actor married Britain's first Playboy Playmate Dolly Read in 1971. They divorced after four years but remarried four years after that and spent the last 30 years together. Besides his wife Dolly Martin, the actor is survived by two sons, Richard Martin and Cary Martin.

Check out more photos below.

















Click HERE for 1966 photo of Dolly Read and the other British Playboy Playmates.