Sid Caesar, whose clever, anarchic comedy on such programs as "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour" helped define the 1950s "Golden Age of Television," has died. He was 91. 

A friend of the family, actor Rudy De Luca, did not know the exact cause of death, but said Caesar had respiratory problems and other health problems for several years. 

Caesar became famous for "Your Show of Shows," which went on the air in 1950. It lasted four years and was followed by "Caesar's Hour," which combined sketches, musical revues and situation comedy. 

Both shows featured writers who became famous in their own right, including Neil Simon, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin, Lucille Kallen and Larry Gelbart. Woody Allen also contributed to Caesar's comedy as a writer for one of his specials. 

Brooks visited Caesar last night to say goodbye, De Luca told CNN. 

"Sid Caesar was a giant-maybe the best comedian who ever practiced the trade & I was privileged to be one of his writers & one of his friends," Brooks tweeted Wednesday. 

Share your memories of Caesar 

Caesar also appeared in a number of films, including "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), "Airport 1975" (1974) and "Grease" (1978). He received a Tony nomination for his performance in the 1962 show "Little Me," with a book by Simon. 

Caesar, born Isaac Sidney Caesar in 1922, was part of a pioneering group of personalities who helped establish television in its early days. However, while comedians such as Jack Benny and Fred Allen more or less transferred their radio shows to the new medium and Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater" was essentially vaudeville on the small screen, Caesar's "Show of Shows" presented movie parodies, wordless pantomimes and brisk routines between the host and co-star Imogene Coca. 
Who died?
How old was he?
What did he receive a Tony for?
When was he born?
What was he part of?
What did they do?
What was his first show?
What was it about?
Who was on the show with him?
Who visited him?
Who contributed writing?
Do we know the cause?
Who moved vaudeville to tv?
With what show?
Sid Caesar
Sid Caesar, whose clever, anarchic comedy on such programs as "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour" helped define the 1950s "Golden Age of Television," has died
He was 91
He was 91
he didnt
He received a Tony nomination for his performance in the 1962 show "Little Me,"
1922
Caesar, born Isaac Sidney Caesar in 1922
pioneering group of personalities
was part of a pioneering group of personalities who helped establish television in its early days
personalities who helped establish television in its early days
personalities who helped establish television in its early days
Your Show of Shows,
Your Show of Shows,
movie parodies, wordless pantomimes and brisk routines
movie parodies, wordless pantomimes and brisk routines
Imogene Coca
co-star Imogene Coca
Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks
Neil Simon, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin, Lucille Kallen and Larry Gelbart. Woody Allen
Neil Simon, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin, Lucille Kallen and Larry Gelbart. Woody Allen
no
did not know the exact cause of death
Milton Berle's
Milton Berle's
Texaco Star Theater
Texaco Star Theater