Harry Crane (April 23, 1914 – September 13, 1999) was an American comedy writer who helped to create the concept for The Honeymooners and its signature characters.
Crane successfully recommended Jackie Gleason - whom he knew from his time as a comedian in New York - to DuMont as host for their show the Cavalcade of Stars.
[1] Crane wrote comedic scripts and jokes for many comedians including Jimmy Durante, Abbott and Costello, the Marx Brothers, Milton Berle, and Jerry Lewis.
He also wrote jokes for singers including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Perry Como, Alan King, Dean Martin,[1] Eddie Fisher, Red Skelton, Liberace, and Henny Youngman.
[2] In 1965, he resuscitated the Dean Martin Show which had been suffering from poor ratings and added the concept of the celebrity roast;[5] he was nominated for an Emmy in 1966-67 for his efforts.