Freddie Prinze was one of the most celebrated and charismatic young comedians and actors who exploded in the 1970's with a hit TV show "Chico and The Man" and his appearances in Las Vegas and his stand-up comedies zinging ethnic slurs. He was a comic genius but outside the clown's laughter was a tormented soul. He battled substance abuses such as cocaine, quaaludes and alcoholism. He was a man who fulfilled his dream but his dream turned into a nightmare. On January 28, 1977 the 22-year old superstar began calling friends that he was ending his life, and while his manager was there, Freddie apparently pulled the trigger and blasted through his right temple. His death was premature but his legacy will be of a comic genius, and the influence he had on the comedians before and after him.

Freddie Prinze was born Frederick Karl Pruetzel on June 22, 1954. Born to a Puerto Rican mother Maria and Hungarian Jewish father Karl. He had studied karate and music in his childhood and was always bullied by his tormentors. He was chubby as a child. He later grew slim. His dream was to become famous. His hero was "The Fugitive" star the late David Janssen. He also idolized troubled comedian Lenny Bruce. In 1971 he attended New York High School Of Performing Arts, and later he auditioned for the New York's Improv Club, where he does all his comedy. He would later change his name to Freddie Prinze.

He would do stand-up clubs and done shows as "The Jack Paar Show" in 1973 and later in December, 1973, he was invited to NBC's "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" where he became an absolute hit. His managers Martin "Dusty" Snyder and Ron DeBlasio called up NBC producer James Komack for a pilot episode of an white elderly man who runs a garage and his love/hate relationship with a young latino who annoys him. There were many auditions for the role of Chico Rodriguez, a young Mexican-American. Freddie, who was half-Puerto Rican, auditioned for the role . He finally got the role and signed a deal with NBC to do the NBC TV-series "Chico & The Man" with veteran actor Jack Albertson (1907-1981).

The 20-year old comedian showed up on "The Mike Douglas Show" during the making of the show. On September 13, 1974 on a Friday, the show aired and it suddenly became a hit. It ranked at #3 in the ratings behind "All In The Family" and "Sanford & Son". He is best known for his two lines "Ees- not my job" or "Loooking Goood". Freddie suddenly became an instant success and earned a high paying gig and lots of success. There is also a downside, he was doing drugs, He experimented with cocaine while at a party and did quaaludes. He also did Las Vegas gigs during 1974-75. He is best known for giving ethnic jokes as he refers to himself as a "Hungarican" for his family background.

He did a comedy album simply titled "Looking Good" in 1975. Freddie also did stint with "Dinah Shore Show" in 1975, as he talks about his hit TV show. The ratings are better than expected. He also did gigs in "The Midnight Special" and "Tony Orlando & Dawn Show" during 1975 and 1976, and the "Dean Martin Comedy Roast". While vacationing in Wyoming, he met a 26-year old beautiful woman name Katherine Cochran. They would marry in August, 1975. The couple would later have a child. That child was born Freddie James Prinze on March 8, 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Freddie , Jr. would become a Hollywood Hunk actor later in the years.

Freddie,Sr. would appear in "Rolling Stone" Magazine in September,1975 and on Teen Magazines as Tiger Beat and Sixteen Magazine. He was the biggest heartthrob of the 1970's and always done comedy with fellow contemporaries as Jimmy "JJ" Walker ("Good Times") and Jay Leno (now host of "Tonight Show"). Freddie was not prepared for the success. He was under pressure and could not handle it. Success at a young age was somewhat of an albatross for him. He also is friends with singer Tony Orlando. They both appeared on "Chico and The Man" and "The Tony Orlando & Dawn Show" during 1975 and 1976. They both dreamed of making a film together and always spent time with their families during vacations.

They also did cocaine as well. On November 21, 1976 he was arrested while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Freddie was struggling with his demons as his marriage was falling apart. The couple separated, and Kathy filed for divorce and was facing a lawsuit by a former manager over a breach of contract. He was missing his Vegas gigs and coming late on the set of "Chico and The Man" and people close to him were concerned about his well-being. Even Tony Orlando stated in "Behind The Music" that Freddie contemplated suicide on many occasions in Orlando's Mansion in Hollywood Hills.

On January 19, 1977 he made his final public appearance at the Inaugural Ball for President Jimmy Carter. The 22-year old was spiraling out of control. He also made final tapings of "Chico and The Man" on January 27, 1977. On January 28, 1977 at his Los Angeles hotel room, while he contemplated suicide he called up his mother and friends and managers that he was ending his life. He wrote a suicide note "I must end it. There is not hope. I will be at peace. No one had anything to do with it. My decision totally.....(Signed) Freddie Prinze". Manager Martin "Dusty" Snyder was trying to approach him and help, a drugged Freddie Prinze, sitting down in his sofa, took out his .32 caliber pistol and placed it into his head and shot himself. He arrived at UCLA Medical Center with a massive head wound.

He was kept on life support and in critical condition until on January 29, 1977 his family decided to end his suffering. He was brain dead at 3:30 PM on January 29, 1977, Freddie Prinze, 22, comedian and actor and star of the hit TV series "Chico and The Man", and was pronounced dead. Prior to his death he did a TV movie "Million Dollar Rip-Off " on NBC-TV and was under contract for a $6 million a year for NBC. The world was shocked and saddened by his tragic death.

On February 1, 1977 , Freddie Prinze was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, and attended by co-star Jack Albertson, Tony Orlando, Sammy Davis, Jr., Gabriel Kaplan , Paul Williams (who was the pallbearer) , producer James Komack and family members along with fans of the fallen superstar. Twenty three years after his death, his legacy is passed on by his only son Freddie Prinze,Jr., who is now the star of "Wing Commander", "I Know What You Did Last Summer" sequels and "She's All That", and is following his legendary father's footsteps.

God Bless Freddie Prinze.