Lenny Bruce Pardoned For Obscenity Conviction

DECEMBER 23--New York Governor George Pataki today granted a posthumous pardon to Lenny Bruce, wiping away the comedian's 1964 obscenity conviction. The pardon comes 37 years after Bruce (born Leonard Schneider) died from a heroin overdose at age 40. The comedian was arrested on the misdemeanor charge for performing an "obscene, indecent, immoral, and impure" show at a Manhattan nightclub (he was eventually found guilty and sentenced to four months in prison). Last May, a group of lawyers, writers, and entertainers like Robin Williams and Phyllis Diller signed a petition asking Pataki to pardon Bruce on the grounds that he simply exercised free speech rights during his performances. (1 page)