Friday, July 24, 1998 | 10:18 a.m.
Corbett Monica, brilliant both as an actor and as a comedian, took his last bow at home in North Miami, Fla., at 8:22 a.m. Wednesday. He was 68. The world lost still another source of wholesome laughter and the Delaneys lost a close and dear friend.
His widow, Barbara, was once our next-door neighbor. My relationship with Corbett covered his more than 40 years of appearances in all the entertainment media. The Monicas were in New York City when he suddenly decided he wanted to go to their home to Florida last Saturday.
Monica was a performance perfectionist, a master of comedy timing and punctuation, the extra touch that extended the laugh at the punch line. Corbett was a Sinatra favorite and toured with him extensively during the past 15 years. Monica once told me, "I try to take Frank with me wherever I can."
Corbett also appeared with Paul Anka, Nat "King" Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Sergio Franchi, Lena Horne, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Dean Martin, Liza Minnelli and Jerry Vale in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Miami, in addition to concert tours. His last appearance, before his bout with cancer forced his retirement, was at a Sinatra tribute show at the Sands in Atlantic City in 1977.
Television audiences will recall Corbett as Joey Bishop's best buddy on Bishop's 1960s sitcom. Film appearances included "The Grasshopper" with Jacqueline Bisset, and Woody Allen's "Broadway Danny Rose" in 1984. He also starred on stage in Neil Simon's "Prisoner of Second Avenue."
Born in Manhattan's upper East Side, Monica's family moved to St. Louis when he was 13. His career as a stand-up comedian began in St. Louis nightclubs and strip joints at the age of 17. Never a top banana, Corbett was more than an opening act, more of a co-star opener who could put his share of bodies in chairs for a headliner's performance. He worked with the best until illness called a halt last fall.
As much as I enjoyed him onstage, I shall remember best the laughs we shared when Corbett and Barbara would come by my house when he was working in Las Vegas. He had few peers in his chosen area of comedy.
Corbett is survived by Barbara, six children, six grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Services will be Saturday in Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Suite 2200, 100 W. Clarengdon, Phoenix, Ariz. 85013.
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