Comedian Red Buttons dies at 87

Comedian Red Buttons dies at 87

Red Buttons' career spanned comedy, theatre, TV and cinema

The American comedian and actor Red Buttons has died at the age of 87.

He died of vascular disease at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles, according to his publicist.

Famed for his red hair, his career began in the 1930s on stage before he landed his own television programme, The Red Buttons Show, in 1952.

A move into cinema brought him a 1957 Oscar win for best supporting actor as Sgt Joe Kelly in the film Sayonara, starring Marlon Brando.

His publicist Warren Cowan said he had been ill for some time, and was with family members when he died.

In his teens, Red Buttons was spotted by burlesque theatre owners, becoming the youngest comic on the circuit.

His role in Sayonara led to other film roles including The Longest Day, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and The Poseidon Adventure.