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David Brenner, a comedian best known as a frequent presence on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show throughout the '70s and '80s, died in Manhattan on Saturday at 78. His longtime publicist told the New York Times that the cause was cancer. Brenner was a sort of proto-Jerry Seinfeld, making fun of the mundane and, as he put it, telling stories about "the dumb things that we say and do." In addition to guesting or hosting on The Tonight Show over 150 times, he wrote several books, did four HBO comedy specials, and was given his own late-night show, Nightlife, in 1986, though it only lasted for one season. This clip of Brenner on The Tonight Show on 1981 is a good example of why he was such a favorite of Carson's.

David Brenner, the gangly, toothy-grinned Tonight Show favorite whose brand of observational comedy became a staple for other standups, died Saturday. He was 78. Brenner, who had been fighting cancer, died peacefully at his home in New York City with his family at his side, according to Jeff Abraham, his friend and publicist. The lanky, always sharply dressed Brenner became one of the most frequent visitors to Johnny Carson's Tonight in the 1970s and '80s. His 150-plus appearances as guest and substitute host turned the former documentary filmmaker into a hot comedian, one who was ubiquitous on other talk shows and game shows.

Comedian David Brenner, a familiar face on TV talk shows and stand-up comedy stages since the 1970s, died on March 15 at age 78, according to his publicist. Watch some of the memorable moments from 40+ years of laughs:

Tonight Show debut (1971)

According to Brenner’s official website, the comedian would appear on The Tonight Show a record 158 times.

Standup routine on NBC’s Midnight Special (1974)

Co-hosting The Morning Show with Kathie Lee Gifford (c. 1980s)

Howard Stern meets David Brenner on local N.Y. morning TV show’s final broadcast

Howard Stern accepts bikini underwear challenge on Brenner’s Nightlife (1987)

On The Jon Stewart Show (c.