Who was the first American TV Star, lovingly referred to as "Mr. Television"?

Milton Berle (July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was an American comedian and actor. As the host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater (1948–55), he was the first major American television star and was known to millions of viewers as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television" during TV's golden age.

Berle was a Vaudeville. movie, radio and TV Star. He also wrote books, music, and did recordings.

In 1951, NBC signed Berle to a 30 year contract for a million dollars a year.

Unlike many of his peers, Berle's offstage lifestyle did not include drugs or drinking, but did include cigars, a "who's who" list of beautiful women, and a lifelong addiction to gambling, primarily horse racing.

July 15, 2000, Berle guest-starred as Uncle Leo in the Kenan & Kel special "Two Heads are Better than None". This would be his last acting role. On March 27, 2002, Berle died in Los Angeles from colon cancer.