Born: June 22, 1954
Died: January 29, 1977

Comedian Freddie Prinze was born Fredrick Karl Pruetzel on June 22, 1954, and grew up in Washington Heights, N.Y. Freddie attended Fiorello La Guardia High School for performing Arts, but he soon dropped out to pursue a stand-up career. He worked in the comedy clubs Catch a Rising Star and The Improv. It was at this time he changed his name to Prinze because he wanted to be known as 'The Prince of Comedy'. Freddie is most famous for his role of Francisco 'Chico' Rodriguez on the historic show "Chico and The Man." Sadly, his life ended on Jan. 29, 1977, by an apparent suicide, which was later changed to an accidental shooting due to the influence of quaaludes. He is the father of actor Freddie Prinze Jr.

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