The late Super Dave Osborne was a favorite of Larry David, David Letterman, and Albert Brooks — that’s comedy royalty there. (Well, admittedly Brooks was his brother: Albert Brooks’ given name was Albert Einstein; Super Dave’s real name was Bob Einstein.) Most people these days know the actor from his unforgettably hilarious star turns on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development. Those are the kinds of innovative comedy shows where a guy like Super Dave could fit in. But then again Einstein, who died this week at age 76, was always part of the innovative zeitgeist in American culture, whatever the decade.
Because what represented American pop culture in the late 20th century more than Just Do It and Nike? And the remarkable string of ads that cemented the Oregon shoe company as more than a mere business, but a cultural icon? Super Dave Osborne was right there.
Below see Super Dave test out his “spring shoes” covered with “genuine Saskatchewan salmon skin” against what 90s NBA superstars Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller identify simply as the “lightest basketball shoe on earth.” Super Dave breaks his brain, but he fortunately survived the concussion and delivered comedy pleasure for nearly three more decades. RIP Super Dave Osborne. Your rocked the dunk.
RIP Bob Einstein aka Super Dave Osborne!
Remember these 90s Nike ads with @ReggieMillerTNT & @TheJetOnTNT? pic.twitter.com/pkvgrF5Lwc
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 2, 2019
