His parents, Bernhard and Frederikke Rosenbaum, were both musicians his father was a violinist in the Royal Danish Chapel, and his mother played piano , Borge began to lear piano at the age of three, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy. He gave his first piano recital when he was only eight years old, and in he was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Danish Academy of Music. After a few years as a classical concert pianist, he started his now famous stand up comedy act, with a signature blend of piano music and jokes. He married American Elsie Chilton in , the same year he debuted with his revue acts. Borge started touring extensively in Europe, where he began telling anti-Nazi jokes. Disguised as a sailor, Borge managed to return to Denmark once during the occupation to visit his dying mother.
The set-up: It's hard to imagine that there was ever a time when comedian and pianist Victor Borge was the next big thing. That time did exist, however. Perhaps it was in when the American media crowned him best new radio performer of the year, just two years after fleeing Denmark with no money and unable to speak a word of English. Or it might have been in the s, when he delighted crowds all over Europe with his lampoons of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Because Borge's performing years lasted all the way into his 90s, however, most of his fans could only ever see him as an avuncular, or even a grandfatherly figure. It was his style of comedy, too — dad jokes for the most part, proper groaners. He was like the silver patriarch at the head of the dinner table, always respected and in charge, but allowing the children little jabs of mockery.
Victor Borge was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe. He lived from 3 January to 23 December He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, into a Jewish family. His parents, Bernhard and Frederikke Lichtinger Rosenbaum, were both musicians — his father a violist in the Royal Danish Orchestra and his mother a pianist.
For good laughs: piano jokes and a "Mozart Opera," by Victor Borge, the greatest musical comedian! Please join my page for classical music fun! Jump to. Sections of this page.