He was in a class by himself in his stand-up heyday. He was vaudeville, satirist, impressionist, circus clown, and storyteller and the best in the business at any single element. He had a manic energy and an agile mind that we have never seen the likes of. He wasn't afraid to push the edge of acceptable comedy, but he never became so engrossed in the cause of changing the world that he forgot to be funny when he was on stage. Few if any comedians can keep their act at the top level forever. He smartly diversified and became an actor with a career of peaks and valleys, just like any one who stays in the business for the long haul. Thankfully he keeps his tools sharp by taking to the stage ever decade or so and performing "in one".
