In my career as a celebrity representative, I’ve met childhood heroes and lived through showbiz nostalgia. My first client, Spanky McFarland of The Little Rascals, ushered me into that world. But Soupy Sales, a TV prankster infamous for pies and quick wit, was the hero who truly captured my imagination. As a teen, I snuck into New York to watch his legendary antics. Later, I even took my date to meet him—earning instant points when Soupy gave her a kiss. Decades on, I got to represent Soupy, whose humor never faded, despite his declining health.

Soupy’s wife, Trudy Carson, was a dazzling Broadway performer. Together, they charmed fans during autograph tours, even as Soupy’s mobility waned but his spirit never did. When doctors suspected a neuromuscular issue, I offered to connect Soupy with Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association ...