Calvert DeForest aka Larry "Bud"Melman

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on March 21st, 2007


The bulletin that’s making the MySpace rounds is true, we are sad to say. Calvert DeForest, who gained fame as David Letterman’s clueless foil Larry “Bud” Melman died Monday night.

DeForest took that fame on the road as a standup comic of sorts. The Comedy Factory Outlet in Philadelphia (specifically Outlet owner Clay Heery) was the first venue in the country to see DeForest/Melman’s personal appearance potential, booking the diminutive actor on at least one occasion for a weekend at the comedy club in late 1983 or early 1984. The engagement was a wild success as savvy Late Night fans showed up with Toast On A Stick and hollered out catchphrases from the NBC talker while the seemingly befuddled DeForest hosted an evening of standup, reading his lines from cue cards prepared by Heery and C.F.O. regulars.

The above photo was taken at the wedding of the Female Half’s sister and C.F.O. proprietor Clay Heery. From left to right: Unidentified DeForest bodyguard, The Female Half (clad in Maid of Honor finery) and DeForest.

NewsFromMe.com has a detailed biography.