- Born
- DiedMarch 10, 2023 · Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA (complications from dementia and Parkinson's disease)
- Birth nameJerrold Laurence Samuels
- Jerry Samuels was born on May 3, 1938 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Napoleon XIV: They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! (1966), Ash vs Evil Dead (2015) and Martians Go Home (1989). He was married to Bobbie Simon and Rosemary Djivre. He died on March 10, 2023 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA.
- SpousesBobbie Simon(1996 - March 10, 2023) (his death)Rosemary Djivre(? - 1968) (divorced, 2 children)
- Under the name Scott David (his son's name), he co-wrote "As If I Didn't Know" with Larry Kusik, a top 10 hit for Adam Wade in 1961.
- Under the pseudonym Napoleon XIV, he achieved one-hit wonder status with the Top 5 hit novelty song "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" in 1966.
- Samuels also wrote "The Shelter of Your Arms", a top 20 hit for Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964.
- In 1966, Samuels concocted "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" while working at Associated Recording Studios in New York. The public found out his true identity when Cousin Brucie of WABC revealed his name. The record quickly climbed the charts, reaching the Top Ten nationally in just its third week on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 3 and sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. In the Cash Box Top 100 the record even climbed to No. 1 for one week in its second week on the charts.
- In his later years, Samuels worked as a singer and agent who booked various performers. He worked in the Delaware Valley area.
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