Author Bud Mercer
Bud Mercer has spent most of his life in show business—in one form or
another. He worked with his brother Jim as The Mercer Brothers for more
than 71 years. A talented dancer, singer, musician, and comedian, he
still performs today.
His career took him from vaudeville houses on the Orpheum, Paramount,
and RKO Circuits to playing the ultimate theater for vaudevillians—the
Palace Theater in New York.
The motion picture industry lured Bud and his brother to Hollywood. They
dreamed of stardom while they worked as dance extras in movie musicals
for several years before World War II. When the war broke out, Bud
enlisted in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. However, the program
ended before he had a chance to earn his wings. He used some of his
training to get a job with Western Airlines while he waited for his
brother, Jim, to get his discharge from the Service so they could return
to show business.
Following the war, USO tours and then live television were next on Bud
and Jim’s agenda. They performed in dinner theaters around the country,
followed with the shows Baggy Pants, Giggles Galore, and Sugar Daddies.
At age 76, Bud believed it was time to retire and write his memoirs, so
he returned to college to take a writing course. However, it wasn’t long
before show business called the Mercer Brothers back to the theater. In
1992, they revived their act for the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies and
continued for eleven seasons with the Follies until Jim’s death in 2003.
Today, Bud continues his writing, primarily poetry, but has plans for
another book—this one about his spiritual journey through life.