Hot Hero Sandwich Project — Short Take on David Axelrod, Writer

by G. Jack Urso

 

David Axelrod (NYT).

David Axelrod (1938-2021), writer for Hot Hero Sandwich, had a long resume before being hired by Bruce and Carole Hart.  It kicks off with Captain Kangaroo in 1968, moves forward with assignments for such classic comedians as Alan King, Dick Cavett, Robert Klein, The Dean Martin Show and Celebrity Roasts, two Mary Tyler Moore variety show TV projects, George Burns Comedy Week, and the influential 1973 National Lampoon mockumentary stage show Lemmings, which helped launch the careers of several future Saturday Night Live actors, among many others. 

Axelrod was also a talented lyricist and collaborated with frequent songwriting partner Sam Pottle to write dozens of songs for Sesame Street, Sesame Street Live, and various other albums (see his extensive discography at Discogs). Needless to say, whether adult or children’s comedy and music, David Axelrod had the chops.

According to fellow series writer Sherry Coben in an interview with the Hot Hero Sandwich Project, David Axelrod and Bruce Hart first met in college and also worked on Sesame Street, so there must have been some excellent synergy between the two on the projects they worked on. Tragically, Axelrod passed away in 2021 after he fell ill while on vacation in Aruba where he contracted flesh-eating bacteria and passed away, according to Coben.

Axelrod's loss also takes with him some of the unwritten lore of Hot Hero Sandwich and more insight into Bruce and Carole Hart's vision as well. Having passed just about a year and a half before the Hot Hero Sandwich Project started, one can only wonder what secrets about the show he knew that we'll never know.

David Axelrod’s passing was unexpected and tragic, yet the measure of our lives is in the legacy we leave. From writing for Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street to Lemmings and Hot Hero Sandwich to a parade of the 20th century’s most noted comedians, Axelrod’s work virtually defined the laugh track for America and helped a generation of kids, and adults, grow up with a little laughter and song.

 

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