Bill Dana: ‘José Jiménez’ Star Dead At 92

Bill Dana — the wild comedian who became a star with his character of José Jiménez, and found new fame on "The Golden Girls" — has passed away at the age of 92 in his adopted home of Nashville, Tenn.

Dana, who was born as William Szathmary in Quincy, Mass., was working as both a comedy writer and performer when he began to perform the character of José as part of Steve Allen's "Man on the Street" interview on the original "Tonight Show" broadcasts in the 1950s.

The character went on to become a regular on "The Danny Thomas Show," and also topped the charts with a hit comedy record in which José was an astronaut being interviewed by a reporter. Dana abandoned his José character in the 1960s, but stayed busy as a performer and writer — penning the "Sammy's Visit" episode of "All in the Family," where Archie Bunker met Sammy Davis, Jr.

Dana (seen here with Dean Martin) also created television history when he discovered Jim Nabors singing for free in a Santa Monica nightclub, and recommended him for what was meant to be a one-time appearance as Gomer Pyle on "The Andy Griffith Show." Dana later joined Nabors in moving to Hawaii, where he wrote songs including " My Little Grass Condominium Apartment."

He finally retired from television in the 1990s — after winning a new generation of fans with a recurring role as Sophia Petrillo's brother Angelo on "The Golden Girls." While he once proclaimed himself to be a lifelong bachelor, Dana found love late in life. He's survived by Evy, his wife of 36 years.