LOS ANGELES (AP) – Edward G. Nalbandian, the owner of Zachary All clothing whose live TV ads made him a local celebrity and inspired a song by the legendary rock satirist Frank Zappa, has died. He was 78.

Nalbandian died Feb. 22 in a Los Angeles nursing home, according to his family. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for more than nine years.

The Boston native became locally famous for commercials touting his $99 tuxedo and ability to fit sizes including “Cadet, Extra Short, Regular, Long, Extra Long and Portlies.”

“The whole business was built on television commercials,” said his widow, Anna.

Johnny Carson once mentioned the Wilshire Boulevard store on “The Tonight Show” and the late Zappa lampooned Nalbandian’s commercials in the 1972 song “Eddie, Are You Kidding?” Among his customers were comedian Buddy Hackett and actor Cary Grant.

Nalbandian opened his first store in 1953. The name was a fusion of two things he liked: Actor Zachary Scott and “All” detergent. The store closed about four years ago.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Nalbandian is survived by his son, Edward; daughter, Nancy Barajas; and three grandchildren.