Professor Irwin Corey, “The World’s Foremost Expert,” celebrated his 100th birthday Tuesday evening at the Actors Temple, on W. 47th St. Among the more than 100 friends in attendance at the stand-up great’s b’day bash — many of them actors and comics — were Joe Franklin, who told a few jokes; Gilbert Gottfried; Randy Credico, the comedian turned Democratic governor candidate — yes, he is on the ballot! — Larry “Ratso” Sloman, author of autobiographies on Bob Dylan and Mike Tyson and ghost writer for Howard Stern; Jim Drougas, owner of Unoppressive, Non-Imperialist Bargain Books, on Carmine St.; Kenny Kramer a.k.a. “The Real Kramer”; vaudeville scion Janna Ritz; songwriter Irving Drake, not doing too shabby himself at age 95; Villager Jessica Berk, of Residents in Distress; and of course, Rabbi Jill, of the Actors Temple. The event was organized by Bob Greenberg, and Joe Friendly filmed the whole thing to be made into a movie. There were two open mics, one at Corey’s table, and a steady stream of jokes and responses. Corey told the one about when the Communist Party wouldn’t let him join in the 1940s — because he was too much of an anarchist. Corey wore a few different hats, literally, including one with his famous opening line, “However.” “It was just fun,” said Drougas, who has been a lifetime fan of Corey and a friend for the past 15 years. “There was just a whole sweetness throughout the evening. I’ve been to a lot of his birthday parties, but this was special.” Berk presented Corey with a proclamation from Borough President Gale Brewer proclaiming it “Irwin Corey Day” in Manhattan.
