I am saddened by the recent passing of George Bettinger, our dear friend and a great entertainer. George made his fans very happy during the past seven years with his wonderful Mom and Pop Shop radio show. As one of those many fans, I will miss listening to this fun show, which aired on Dream Stream Radio and on Tune In Radio in Miramar, Florida, and was heard all over the globe. I will always remember George as “Mr. Showbiz” because of his multiple talents as an impressionist, actor, comic and radio host.    

It was an honor, for sure, when George read my poem below on his last Mom and Pop Shop Show that was broadcast on February 23, 2018.        

George Bettinger, the great EmCee,

gave us music and jollity.

Impressionist extraordinaire,

he made us forget each day’s care

Number One on my Showbiz list,

The Mom and Pop Shop will be missed.

We’re lucky to have heard this show

as all its fans most surely know.

Bogart, Benny, Groucho and more

George summoned for us to adore.

Great guests joined in from everywhere

to laugh, to chat with lots to share.

When Mom Lizette came on the show

we cheered because we love her so.

Thanks, Pop George, for all you’ve done.

Our hearts and friendship you have won.

I am also thankful to George Bettinger for being one of our most entertaining guests on Movie Addict Headquarters, my own radio show, and for his enthusiastic support of that show. Of course, I never knew for sure who he planned to bring along with him: W.C. Fields, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, etc. And he gave a delightfully amusing performance in CAKE: A Love Story, a short film based on It Had To Be Us – the romantic memoir my husband and I co-wrote under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence. In fact, George and Lizette Amado-Bettinger assumed the roles of Harry and Elizabeth during one MAHQ episode where they read the first chapter of that book for our listeners. Mom and Pop were both great!

My deepest condolences to George’s family, especially to Lizette and to Charlie, their son.  

Mr. Showbiz will be greatly missed by his friends and fans throughout the world.