ARTE JOHNSON...."Do you believe in the hereafter?"

ARTE (as Tyrone): "Do you believe in the hereafter?"

RUTH (as Gladys): "OF COURSE I DO!"

ARTE (as Tyrone): "Then you know what I'm here after..."

In these PC times, the antics of "dirty old man" Tyrone would probably not be ALLOWED on television.

Some might even complain that Arte's catch-phrase German soldier, who said "Verrrrry interesting," was probably a Nazi, and should likewise, not be ALLOWED on television.

As he said, way back in 1974, doing ethnic characters or any type of character could get people upset: "If I were doing a Hasidic rabbi, I'd have him speak with an Irish accent. … You take it out of reality and make it cartoon-esque without being denigrating. Because people today are so sensitive, it's the only way of creating humor without offending someone."

Johnson tried acting on Broadway, taking on any role he could find. He was an elderly Frenchman in a bit role for "Genetlemen Prefer Blondes" and offered up a routine as Hamlet (on skates) in Ben Bagley's "Shoestring Revue." He moved to the coast for parts on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Red Skelton Hour." Still, he often had a day job, including work selling men's clothing at the fashionable Carrol & Co. store.

After years of small parts, the small (5'4") actor became a star thanks to the many characters he played on "Laugh-In."

He won an Emmy for his work on the show but preferred, of course, to be recognized for who he really was. Fans who asked for a signed photo by mail, got Arte Johnson, his hair slicked back, being himself

With very few exceptions (Goldie Hawen and Lily Tomlin), "LAUGH-IN" was the ultimate for members of the cast. They were young, the characters were fresh, and so was the show itself, despite its deep bow to old-time blackout sketch vaudeville and snappy one-liners.

Arte managed a memorable Renfield-like role in "Love At First Bite," but in the past few decades he found regular work as a narrator in the audio book field. This was an irony, as Arthur Johnson began his career at Viking Press, where he was a publicist for John Steinbeck's "East of Eden" in 1952. It took well over a decade for Arte Johnson to become a star, but once he was a star, he remained one. He died the other day at 90.

People still chuckle at "Tyrone" when they watch "Laugh-In" DVDs, and many still use the catch phrase, "Verrrry interesting," for just about anything. Including a description of the life and times of the great little man, Arte Johnson.