Slim Goodbody ("the SuperheroofHealth", also known as Mr. Goodbody) is a fictional character created and performed by John Burstein. Burstein created the character in 1975. He performs wearing a sometimes white, sometimes peach colored unitard with various tissues, organs and organ systems painted in biologically-accurate locations and sizes. Each costume costs $4,000.[1]
Burstein soon took his character outside the hospital. In his earliest days, he mainly did personal appearances and guest spots on shows such as The Today Show and Good Morning America. His skits also focused on exercise, personal hygiene, and nutrition. Between 1976 and 1981, he appeared twice a week on the CBS series Captain Kangaroo.[1]
Slim Goodbody eventually received his own television series in 1980, Inside StoryonPBS. The program mainly consisted of Burstein's live-show Slim Goodbody sketches, though other children's show celebrities such as Captain Kangaroo would sometimes make guest appearances. The show soon became the station's second-highest rated program, and Burstein landed roles on other stations, including Nickelodeon. Since then, Slim Goodbody has featured in several other series, as well. At one point, Slim Goodbody began making educational shorts on such subjects as the fear of visiting a hospital, amongst others. One of these shorts featured Burstein's son, Devin, as a child learning about hospitals as he overcomes his fears of an upcoming operation.
Beginning in 1982, the character has also appeared in books published by McGraw-Hill, Putnam, and Fairview Press. A series of educational shorts featuring Burstein's character were produced in 1985. Titled, Well, Well, Well! with Slim Goodbody, these were aimed for school children grades K-4.[4]
Today, Burstein tours the United States and Canada dressed as Slim Goodbody and performing in Bodyology.[1] School-based shows, performed by other actors, include Musical Health Show and Lighten Up!
Burstein and his Goodbody programs have won numerous awards including the Parents' Choice Award and the Healthy American Fitness Leader Award.
^Klemesrud, Judy (April 16, 1975). "This Song and Dance Routine Is Really a Class in Anatomy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022. And he is 'Mr. Slim Goodbody', a 25‐year‐old singing, dancing, one-man anatomy class.... His real name is John Burstein, and he is the self-styled 'black sheep' of his achievement‐oriented family of six children from Lawrence, L.I.
