When Milton Berle died in 2002, few of the media that reported on his passing even began to fathom the enormity of his impact. In most publications, Berle received less ink than British comedy actor Dudley Moore and director Billy Wilder. While both men were certainly talented and worthy of eulogizing, to suggest that they left a legacy even comparable to Berle’s is absurd and demonstrates a complete ignorance of entertainment history.

Berle wasn’t only a pioneer of television, he completely blazed the trail for the nascent medium and the entertainment industry it created. Before Berle, no one cared what was on TV because it was all forgettable throwaway programming like pro wrestling on the Dumont network and game shows like ‘Queen for a Day’. After Berle, people began to seek for quality programming. He created the need for publications like TV Guide, and really the entire concept of ‘prime time’ network programming. Berle’s “Texaco Star Theater” was the first big hit on television and put up ratings that are unfathomable today-it would routinely draw 80%+ of the television audience and hit over 90% on a few occasions. By way of comparison, consider that the NFL and the TV networks consider it a great year when the Superbowl draws a 70% share.

When people started to care what was on when, it generated TV Guide, publications like Entertainment Weekly and celebrity TV networks like E! are just little more than that publications progeny. It’s not out of line to suggest that Berle put the proverbial seeds in the ground for not only the entertainment industry, but the advertising and magazine industries as well.

He peers knew the score which is why he earned the name: Mr. Television. Berle was born on July 12, 1908 and his showbiz career began as a small boy. A career in vaudeville followed, which led to the television show that made him an institution. His TV success wasnt a fluke, or a case of him being in the right place at the right time. He had an uncanny understanding of how to utilize the medium, and an ability to adapt his stage act to the new audience. Berle worked constantly throughout his 88 year career, even earning an Emmy Award nomination in the late 1990’s.

Perhaps the best evidence of the sort of man that Milton Berle was is the fact that so few bad things were said about him in the backbiting, petty world of show biz. Most gave the same account–a quick witted, devil may care gentleman who enjoyed the good life. In particular, his trademark cigar–while it wasn’t the prop that it was for George Burns his taste in cigars were much more refined. While Burns typically smoked El Productos and cheaper sticks, Berle favored high end Cuban Montecristos.

Berle not only redefined the concept of television and created the industry that exists around it, he lived as a gentleman who enjoyed life and took great pleasure from the people he shared it with.