Bill Saluga
Birth nameWilliam Saluga
Born(1937-09-16)September 16, 1937
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMarch 28, 2023(2023-03-28) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
MediumStand-up, film, television
GenresSketch comedy, improvisational comedy, character comedy
Subject(s)Self-deprecation, everyday life
Notable works and roles
  • Founding member of the Ace Trucking Company comedy troupe
  • Created the stage character Ray J. Johnson, Jr.

William Saluga (September 16, 1937 – March 28, 2023) was an American comedian and founding member of the improvisational comedy troupe Ace Trucking Company. He appeared on several television programs, including Seinfeld.

Early life

Saluga was born on September 16, 1937, in Youngstown, Ohio. When Saluga was 10, his father was killed in an industrial accident at the Republic Steel Mill where he worked and his mother supported the family by working as a bookkeeper.[1] Saluga, known as "Billy" to his friends and family, was a high school cheerleader and class clown. After graduation, he served two years in the Navy and then began working as a performer in local theaters.[1]

Career

Saluga spent several years performing in Youngstown, Ohio theaters and clubs. He played numerous roles in notable productions, including Guys and Dolls and Inherit the Wind. Saluga became a talent coordinator for the Steve Allen show in the late 1960s. in 1969, he created the "Johnson" character while a member of the comedic troupe Ace Trucking Company.[1]

Saluga's shtick as the character "Johnson" would be, when someone would refer to him as "Mr. Johnson" or by the common generic nickname "Johnson," to exaggeratedly feign offense and list off all permutations of the name Raymond J. Johnson Jr. and nicknames thereof that do not mention the word "Johnson:"

"NOOO!!! You don't have to call me Johnson! My name is Raymond J. Johnson Jr. Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me J, or you can call me Johnny, or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me Junie, or you can call me Junior; now you can call me Ray J, or you can call me RJ, or you can call me RJJ, or you can call me RJJ Jr. . . but you doesn't hasta call me Johnson!"

Saluga would then smugly turn away and begin puffing on his cigar.[2][3] Saluga's routine received more widespread attention in the late 1970s after being used in a series of commercials for Miller Lite beer, and subsequently, in the early 1980s for Anheuser-Busch Natural Light beer. Saluga appeared alongside comedian/pitchman Norm Crosby echoing (in a roundabout way) Norm's advice to unknowing customers on how to more easily order the lengthily-named beer: "Well, y'doesn't hasta call it Anheuser Busch Natural Light Beer, and y'doesn't hasta call it 'Busch Natural.' Just say 'Natural!'" Saluga then later launches into the "You can call me Ray" routine after Crosby warns not to ask Johnson his name.[4]

From 1977 to 1978, Saluga appeared regularly as Raymond J. Johnson Jr. on Redd Foxx's eponymous variety show. Saluga as Johnson also made appearances on This Is Tom Jones, Laugh-In and The David Steinberg Show.[5] He also made appearances on Chuck Barris' The Gong Show during 1977 and 1978.

A novelty disco single called "Dancin' Johnson," based around Johnson's schtick, was released in 1978. [6]

A 1978 episode of Good Times contained a scene where Keith (while intoxicated) recited "You can call me Ray, or you can call me J" which was at the height of its popularity for the saying.

Bob Dylan referenced the "you may call me" schtick in his 1979 hit, "Gotta Serve Somebody," when he sings, "You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy / You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy / You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray / You may call me anything, but no matter what you say / You’re gonna have to serve somebody." The idea for the verse originated from Jerry Wexler, who suggested it during the recording sessions for Slow Train Coming.

The character's popularity is referenced in multiple episodes of The Simpsons, with Saluga appearing as himself in the 2002 episode "The Old Man and the Key".[7] Saluga also appeared as Johnson in the 2010 King of the Hill episode "Just Another Manic Kahn-Day".

Death and legacy

Saluga died of cardiopulmonary arrest in Los Angeles on March 28, 2023, at the age of 85.[8] Saluga's nephew, Scott Saluga, told the media that his uncle was living in Burbank, California, at the time of his death. Saluga did not have any surviving immediate family members.[1]

Saluga told friends he didn't mind being typecast and known to the public as Raymond Johnson. Comedian David Steinberg said that "Billy was always doing Ray J. He was relentless with it. I would say 'Mr. Johnson' and Billy would be off. He did it everywhere. At parties. His timing and delivery were so funny every time."[1]

In 2017, Saluga said that people never recognized him outside his character and that it gave him great pleasure hearing people perform his shtick in his presence without knowing who he was.[1]

Bibliography

  • Saluga, Bill (1982). Bill Saluga's Name Game Book. Bantam Books. ISBN 978-0553207545.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sandomir, Richard. "Bill Saluga, a Memorable Comedic Wiseguy, Is Dead at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Colby, Paul (2002). The Bitter End: Hanging Out at America's Nightclub. Cooper Square Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-0815412069.
  3. ↑ Shales, Tom (February 4, 1979). "You Can Call Me Famous". The Washington Post.
  4. ↑ allcommercials (2009-02-05), You Can Call Me Ray, archived from the original on 2021-12-12, retrieved 2017-11-25
  5. ↑ "Redd Foxx Show : Redd Foxx Comedy Hour". TVParty.com. 1978-01-26. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  6. ↑ "Bill Saluga – Dancin' Johnson (Disco Version)". Discogs. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  7. ↑ McQuade, Dan. "Ray Jay Johnson And Other People I Know Only From 'The Simpsons'". Defector. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "William Saluga, Youngstown-born comedian, dies at 85 in Los Angeles". tribtoday.com. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
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