Burt Boyar

1927 - 2018

November 30, 1927 - April 4, 2018 BOYAR, Burton Anselm, "Burt." Author, husband, companion, confidant, stalwart American patriot and father figure to an extended family who "adopted," loved and cherished him. An extraordinary gentleman who lived an extraordinary life for 90 years, Burt died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, California, on April 4th. A New Yorker by birth, he was the middle son of Lillian and Benjamin Boyar, his father an acclaimed theatrical general manager known as the "Mayor of Broadway." As a popular child actor, Burt starred in numerous radio series, among them playing Billy Batson on "Captain Marvel" and Archie Andrews in "Archie." A gifted equestrian who excelled at Show Jumping and Polo, he proudly served with the National Guard Squadron A Armory, a cavalry regiment, during the Korean War. After completing his service, Burt became a successful Broadway press agent, then a nationally syndicated columnist, penning the first weekly column in TV Guide. Burt married Jane Feinstein, "the light of his life," who became his co-author with Sammy Davis Jr. of the international bestsellers "Yes I Can" and "Why Me?" Over the next 28 years, Burt and Jane lived seaside in Marbella, Spain, on property owned by Carmen and Cristóbal Franco, and coauthored five more books, including "World Class," drawn from their close association with such renowned tennis icons as Rod Laver. Adapting the philosophy "when in Rome," Burt and Jane converted to Catholicism, Burt's faith offering solace with Jane's sudden passing on March 28th, 1997, the first time they were separated in 44 years. With the guidance and support of his closest friend, the brilliant businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Al G. Hill Jr., Burt returned to America and settled in Los Angeles, where his next life-chapter began with his meeting Betsy Bloomingdale, the doyenne of Los Angeles society. For nearly two decades Betsy shared her life with him, welcoming Burt into her fascinating circle of friends and moreover, her family. Since the publication of "Yes I Can" in 1965, Burt tirelessly strived to bring Sammy's powerful story to the silver screen, and in conjunction with the Davis Estate, recently partnered with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Lionel Richie with the hope they would finally get the film made. This good news was dampened over the past two years as Burt lost Betsy on July 19, 2016, and Al on December 2, 2017. The families whose lives he enriched survive Burt: Betsy Bloomingdale's children and grandchildren, and Al G. Hill Jr.'s children. A legacy of friends Burt made around the world blesses him! No flowers, please.