Henry Gibson, the actor character actor best known for his role reciting offbeat poetry on the late 1960s television series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, died at his Malibu home on September 16, 2009. He was 73, and had been diagnosed with cancer.

He was born James Bateman on September 21, 1935, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He created the comic persona Henry Gibson — a pun on the name of playwright Henrik Ibsen — while working as a theater actor in New York.

Gibson joined Laugh-In in 1968, and for three seasons he delivered satirical poems while clutching a giant flower. “A poem by Henry Gibson,” his signature introduction to the versifying, became a familiar catch phrase.

When Laugh-In ended, Gibson appeared in several feature films, including four with director Robert Altman, including The Long Goodbye and Nashville (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination). His other memorable movies included The ’Burbs, Wedding Crashers, Charlotte's Web and Magnolia.

Gibson appeared in dozens of television series over the years, and also did a great deal of voice-over work. His recent work included playing cantankerous Judge Clarence Brown on ABC’s Boston Legal for five seasons and providing the voice of reporter Bob Jenkins on Fox's King of the Hill.

Gibson is survived by three sons and two grandchildren.