Jan. 15, 1962 - Ernie Kovacs received final tribute today in simple Presbyterian rites that were attended by many stars of the entertainment world. The funeral was held in Los Angeles, within sight of the street where the 42-year-old comedian was killed early Saturday morning when his automobile skidded into a utility pole. The pallbearers were Jack Lemmon (right), Frank Sinatra, Billy Wilder (left), Dean Martin, Joe Mikalos, and Mervyn LeRoy. Among the mourners were Edward G. Robinson, George Burns, Jack Benny, Samuel Goldwyn, Groucho Marx, Donna Reed, Kirk Douglas, Milton Berle, Janet Leigh, Polly Bergen, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Cesar Romero, Jayne Mansfield, Buster Keaton, and Charlton Heston. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Allison, pastor of the Beverly Hills Community Presbyterian Church, paid tribute to Mr. Kovacs in these words: “We loved this man. He gave joy and happiness and gaiety to the world. He was a rugged individualist, a creative genius, but he was always ready to listen and slow to judge.”
