The world's richest panhandler: Man who begs for money on New York streets revealed to be legendary comedian living in $3.5m home (but he gives it all to charity)



Comedian: 97-year-old Prof Irwin Corey panhandles along Manhattan's East 35th Street every day

Hobbling along between cars in his walker, asking for change and proffering free newspapers in return, it is hard to believe he was once known as 'The World's Foremost Authority'.



Professor Irwin Corey, comedian, actor and left-wing political activist, strolls along Manhattan's East 35th Street pan-handling every day, seven days a week, for the last 17 years.

Of course professor Corey - who has enjoyed a long and illustrious career spanning Broadway, television, theatre and comedy clubs - does not need the money.

In fact he is not even homeless, despite his scruffy, scrawny appearance, but has an apartment in an affluent area of New York which he believes to be worth $3.5million.



His reasons for posing as a homeless down-and-outer and hassling drivers for change are two-fold: Since his wife of seventy years Fran died in May he said it helps beat the loneliness.

The 97-year-old also donates all the money he raises - sometimes up to $250 a day - to a charity that buys medical supplies for children in Cuba.

Over his eight-decade career, he has worked alongside Jackie Gleason and Woody Allen and appeared on Late Night with David Letterman.



In fact he still performs fairly regularly and told the New York Times that he flew to Chicago a week ago to play two nights at a local club.

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Generous: Mr Corey collects about $100 a day from drivers that he gives papers to and donates everything to to Cuba for medical supplies for children

Luxurious: The 97-year-old is not homeless but in fact lives in this large apartment in an affluent area of Manhattan, believed to be worth $3.5million

Mr Corey has cultivated his 'professor' charade since the 1940s, with his trademark black tails, a string tie, high-top sneakers and scarecrow hairdo.



Though his stage persona is known more of its witty one-liners, put down of hecklers and nonsensical observations, he is mild-mannered to those who give him money on the street, always expressing gratitude and telling them: 'See you later, alligator.'



Mr Corey has travelled to Cuba to donate personally, he said, and has photographs on his wall with Fidel Castro, alongside one of him on the David Letterman show in 1982, and with the likes of the comedian Dick Gregory and the actor Ossie Davis.



Famous friends: The comedian and noted communist anarchist, far left, met Fidel Castro when he was in Cuba donating money to charity

Though the 97-year-old did not give much away about his financial position to the paper, his agent of more than 50 years Irvin Arthur, 85, said he does not need to beg on the street for money.

He said: 'This is not about money. For Irwin, this is an extension of his performing.'

Some people recognise the comedian despite his scruffy appearance, though most think he is just another homeless beggar.



Mr Corey says he carries out his routine day after day simply because he 'wants to help people', as he ambles along the streets of Manhattan.