When was the last time You saw a 19 yo with such Great comedic timing? Exactly! He was gifted RIP

Idk any 19 year olds today that could do a set like that on Tonight Show so composed, great story telling, perfect timing and the Praise from Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis and the crowd was fantastic..

Johnny's introduction was so gracious and reassuring. He understood how hard the business could be for a new talent.

Talented, good looking guy with that million dollar smile. We miss you Freddie!

At only 19 years-old, I think only Eddie Murphy had that level of confidence, poise, charisma, and talent on the stand-up stage. There have been a lot of comedians who were great at a relatively young age, but only 2 were good at the tender young age (and even their early 20s)- Freddie Prinze and Eddie Murphy. It's a shame Freddie died so early. Not only did he leave behind a child, but he had incredible talent.

The look on Freddie’s face as the realization slowly came to him what an endorsement was being lavished by Johnny. In hindsight a life changing moment.

Wow. Freddie Prinze was just 19 years old here. So poised and mature. What stage presence.

The very next day, he got his sitcom. This showed the power of a strong performance on Johnny's show.

I couldn't imagine the thrill Freddie must have had.... to be on the Tonight Show and get to sit with Johnny, Ed and Sammy. For a comedian, what an honor.

Freddie was an awesome comedian and Carson was so incredible and kind to start many great comedians career!

That was high praise from Johnny and he was right on the money with his prognostication.

December 6, 1973: I was 19 years-old attending a Christmas party for the Los Angles radio station I was a dee jay at. We were in a fellow station guy's apartment overlooking the ocean. We're all partying in the living room - when I suddenly noticed everyone wandering into the bedroom, where the TV was. The Tonight Show was on, and Johnny had just introduced Freddie Prinze. From his joke about being a "Hungarican" 'til Johnny broke for a commercial, we couldn't stop laughing. There was no doubt Freddie was going to be a star.

He was a natural. Incredible timing.

Damn, HE KILLED IT. Great set. A shame he's forgotten about whenever they mentioned the greatest of all times. Died too soon

What a special moment. Sammy Davis Jr. was always the best, supportive audience. Thanks for sharing.

I remember this well. Just a couple years older than me. Instant crush! Johnny and Sammy so complimentary. He must have been over the moon.

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that he took his life at 22 ...his fame was like a shooting star ...so much potential & talent ...gone in a flash !! 🌹🖤🎭

Freddie Prinze in 1973. It was a very different time. 50 years ago. Great comedic timing, Freddie.

I loved Chico And The Man, from the José Feliciano song that started the show to the funny interactions between Freddie and his Academy Award winner co-star Jack Albertson, what a 1-derful comedy show !!! I was an 18 years old musician scheduled to debut as an organ player at a wedding one 1977 January saturday morning at San Juan PR when I grabbed a local newspaper and read about the 22 years old comedian of Puerto Rican roots that had attempted suicide with a gun but was still alive (the word that described his condition was "moribundo", which means 'near to death') and a photo of him flashing that beautiful smile was printed at the side of the text. I just couldn't believe it. During the rest of the day I couldn't think of anything else, hoping that he made a recovery, then hours later the terrible news announcing his demise arrived. What a tragedy !!!

I didn't know until recently (after reading a book about the L.A. Comedy Store) that this was the 1st time Johnny Carson had ever invited a debut comic to join the guests and then praised him when they were talking. What a career-making and life-changing moment that was for Freddie Prinze.

A teenager so composed, polished, and poised, confident

This was a very historical moment here. Freddy Prinze is an iconic figure symbolizing the 70s and he paved the way for Hispanic actors and artists to gain acceptance in mainstream media and society. Even though he was very poised and mature, he was still only 19--the abrupt fame and fortune was a psychological trauma that he couldn't handle. Another tragic tale from "the tears of a clown."

From Freddie Prinze's wikipedia page. I thought this was interesting: "Without telling his parents, Prinze successfully auditioned for the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, where he was introduced to drama and continued ballet - and where he discovered his gift for comedy while entertaining crowds in the boys' restroom. He dropped out of school in his senior year to become a stand-up comedian."

He was 19, I was 15. Those were the days. (And I'm from NY too). 😊

Such a great talent and sad story. Johnny knew his greatness at 19. Love this performance.

A star being born right before our eyes. Remarkable footage.

I saw this the night it aired!!! 🙄 He was so cute and funny!!! 😙 I followed his career and was so sad to watch his downward spiral in such a small amount of time!!!! 😔 Such a talent but had a tortured soul!!! RIP Freddie 💕

FINALLY!! They FINALLY posted this classic Tonight Show debut of Freddie Prinze!! Thank U very MUCH for postin!!

Freddy was a wonderful guy I still miss him after all these years. He died too young. 💔

He had so much talent and charisma. I remember that day clearly. I had the radio on and they announced what had happened. I sat on the floor next to our big console stereo and prayed. When they announced that he had died, I just sat there and cried for ages. 😢

WOW, this Man was Made from that one moment on Johnny... Back in the day that's all you needed, today late night 😞 isn't as good as it once was.

My heart just broke when I saw the last 2 episodes of "Chico & the Man" that had Freddie in it. He was so gaunt, dark and had no joy in his appearance or acting. I knew there was something wrong. Either depression or drugs, I can't believe no one stepped in to help him. He would be alive today. Committing suicide by gun was so horrible to hear. I was 17 and had a huge crush on him. I was more sad at his passing than when Elvis passed. I pray that he was forgiven for his sin and I see him again in heaven. ❤️FP forever❤️

I'd forgotten how damned funny he was. Now I gotta go watch "Chico And The Man". RIP Sir. Gone way too soon.

Hilarious. I use to watch Chico and The Man long ago. RIP brother, you had a gift.

Just watched this for the first time. This was incredible

Such a talent and Johnny Carson’s encouraging words, class act!

What else can I say? Looking Good!!!

What's really incredible was that Freddie hosted the Tonight Show a few years later

Every time that I watch this I am again amazed at the poise and charisma that he displayed. And only 19 at that.

Man……I loved me some Freddie. I actually watched this show on TV back in 73. You could tell even then he was destined for great things. May he RIP.

I miss Freddie Prinze!!! He was a great artist!! So sad for the way his life ended!!

Six floor run-up was HILARIOUS. Am I the only one who got it? Wouldn't be the first time I laughed at something all by myself.

I saw that particular show when it was originally broadcast. I was really impressed with Freddie Prinze and thought he was very funny, particularly, doing that accent. As he noted, his dad was Hungarian, Jewish, and his mother Puerto Rican. I was in the audience of the Tonight Show years later and thought about all the great comics that had gotten their starts there.

Hes a cross between Jay Leno and Eddie Murphy. Dude had skills.

When Johnny said You're gonna do fine it broke my heart. Freddie would take his life just 3 years later. He would have been big. RIP sweet angel.🙏🕊⚘️

The way he stopped several times to say “Thank you” to the crowd…genuine and brilliant.

This at 19 He rose to fame quickly His life ended to soon

He was so talented. He exposed every stereotype with fun. Johnny was so generous to have him sit down after his set and be very positive for the future of Freddy's career.

He was awesome. A fully formed star at 19. Loved watching him on “Chico” as a kid.

Just thinking of him after all these years. He was so talented, then gone by his own hand. Heaven only knows. Fame, the business pressures are not for everyone. The art remains, however. Thanks Johnny, for giving him a chance and his blessing. Sammy Davis, Jr. as well. Those men were great for more than their talent.

He just had it. That presence. Chico & The Man was a wonderful showcase for his talent. Freddie Prinze & Jack Albertson had a remarkable chemistry between them. Sadly, the fame was too much for him to handle. R.I.P.

I always knew Freddie prince Jr had Latin roots. But never dug into it. A skit randomly popped up on my IG. And he mentioned my hometown of Washington heights and I immediately began to research more. Loved how he always mentioned where he was from, sO sad he isn’t around to see how much it’s changed since his days here. ❤

I remember the night THIS show came on. The Country fell in love with Freddie that night. He was an instant hit. Then came Chico and The Man. Freddie had it. I saw him at Westbury. So freaking funny. Hard to believe that he’d be gone in 3 short years. Love you Freddie.

I remember watching Chico and the Man. It was a big deal when Freddie died. I never saw him on the Tonight Show because I was too young to stay up that late. Thanks to the internet/KZfaq for showing what a talent Freddie Prinz was at such a young age.

Wow! What a debut! Freddie looks so healthy and happy! December 6,1973.

1978 last year of highschool Chico and the Man was so popular when he died it hit our class really hard none of us had dealt with suicide before.

Gold...pure gold!!!!

RIP Freddie and Johnny . I miss you, you were the best.

Can't believe he was only 19. That was a big catalyst for his career. I wish he had stayed longer.

Such a wonderful young talent gone to soon. Rest in peace friend.

He was such an incredible talent and he still was just a kid practically.

Oh Freddie...gone way too soon. I remember that appearance on Johnny and try to forget how he left us in shock. R.I.P.

I'm 65, and I work part-time at Home Depot. I use the phrase, "Is not my yob mayn" all the time. Thanks Freddie. 🙏 RIP.

Incredible talent

Legend. Sad he left us so much too soon.

Thank you for posting this. I laughed and cried simultaneously. Laughed at his clever jokes, but cried because he was gone too soon. I sure miss his smile!

Magic all around. We need something like this now. Carson's show was truly a gift from God.

Wow. What do you do for an encore? Destroys first time the tonight show with Sammy Davis Jr. and Carson singing his praises. Kids today cannot appreciate the gravity of that appearance. America fell in love with Freddie Prinze. Just the nicest kid in the world. What a tragedy. He was a shooting star.

He had so much charm.

We need more comedians today like Freddie!

I remember the day he committed suicide, my grandma was quite upset. She really got a kick out him. She sat down next to me, showed me the article in the mercury news. I was only ten, I didn't know who he was, but I could tell he was a big deal to a lot of people at the time.

What Class Acts . All 4 of them. Sammy Davis especially. You can see the support hes giving Freddie

Supposedly James Komack saw Freddie’s standup routine on this show and liked the “its not my job” part where Freddie was making fun of his landlord and got in touch with him about starting in “Chico and the Man”. Freddie literally became an overnight success. Johnny,the audience and Sammy all were incredibly supportive and kind here. Sammy kept saying “Dynamite,Dynamite” and applauding. Very high praise! I remember watching Chico and the man and being shocked when I heard Freddie shot himself. He was only 22 years old and on top of the world. All of his dreams had come true. Had he not got into drugs he would still be with us now. I was surprised that James Komack decided to recast Chico and the Man and continue the show rather than end it. First the tried bringing on Gabriel Melgar,then Julie Hill as a runaway girl...none of them could ever replace Freddie. Had he survived there’s no telling how long the show would have run and how big his career would have been.

Very sad to learn that this young man took his own life. I hope he is doing better where he is now.🥀

😍Love Love Love Sammy Davis Jr. miss him so much ❤️ Freddie Prinze was adorable and funny at 19 and he just got better with age , gone to soon he is sorely missed 😪💔 Thank you for the memories !!!

What a fantastic performance.

Sitting between Carson and Sammy at 19!

He was so talented 😢 I wish he saw himself the way the world saw him ❤❤❤ what a beautiful soul ❤

They come in young like a meteor with amazing brilliance and then gone so soon

Need more young comedians like him. You don’t find that these days.

Wow this is great. I wish Freddy could have found some peace and patience with himself and the world. He gave us so much in such a short time. Maybe we just wanted too much from him? I will never forget the evening the sad news broke over the TV 📺 about his attempt to take his own life. I was at my grandparents house in town and we were all watching the tube together... seemed like maybe it was Roots or something. We all just got quiet. Then not long after they broke in with the news that he was gone. 😢 Such a young, bright star gone so soon. It was hard to take then and it still is.

I saw Freddie at Catch a Rising Star a few months before this broadcast. Did a lot of this material. What a talent. Hilarious, confident, bold and relevant for the times. Sad.

The zoo part killed me 🤣😭 “Please do not annoy the monkeys”. What…are they busy? 🤣😭💀

I was watching some old episodes of chico and the man on youtube. Hes so talented. Never realised just how much when i watched yrs ago as a child.

Can you imagine the thrill of finishing up and Sammy Davis Jr giving you props.like that? Awesome

He was 19 and had Sammy Davis Jr and Johnny Carson cracking. Wow!

Johnny Carson was so gracious and warm. He put Freddie at ease. It's also wonderful that Sammy Davis Jr. was also a guest! Sammy and Freddie became good friends. What a magical night December 6,1973. That was my parents 19th wedding anniversary.

Omg how awesome Freddie prince and Sammy Davis Jr ❤

I was just a kid when Freddie broke out. Still breaks my heart when I see these talented guys gone way too soon.

RIP, Freddie.

So mature for a young man of 19. Such a huge loss at a young age. I was 10 when he died and his death was how I learned of the tragedy of suicide.

Thanks for that I remember Freddie/ Chico and the Man as a kid, so sad he died so young from heroin. Hits home for me my daughter died at 24 from the same thing. Miss Sammy and Johnny life is so short most the greats are gone now

Great cadence, timing....rhythm is Lenny Brucesque. He was fully in command at 19. Wow.

❤😢 He was my age . When my husband died in 1975 I was 20 my husband was 22. Used to watch Chico & The Man & admired him so; he made my heart ache less with his humor 💔. Then when he killed himself I was devastated. He had so much to live for. No one knows what goes on in another person mind when he's depressed. I am 70 now & I know they both are in the Lords Hands & found 🙏 the Peace they needed.

Fantastique! Chico and the Man was, too! Even the theme song with Feliciano was great. But Freddie had it all and much more. Even too much for him to handle. Profoundly sad how it all ended . . .

Freddie Prince was my gateway to NYC.

What a shame and what could have been for Freddie he could have been a Travolta in the 80’s.

Wow, just think at 19, he KILLS on the Tonight Show, has great success and ends his life at 22.💔😦💔 So, so tragic. RIP to him, Johnny, Ed and Sammy. All gone. 🙏🎤 Thank you for this clip, btw.

I miss Freddie Prinze

Brings tears to my eyes because his life ended way too soon! Such great memories!