Share to: share facebook share twitter share wa share telegram print page

Don Wilson (announcer)

Don Wilson
Wilson in 1949
Born(1900-09-01)September 1, 1900
DiedApril 25, 1982(1982-04-25) (aged 81)
Years active1935–1966
Known forThe Jack Benny Program
Spouses
Lucy Jane Masterson
(m. 1927; div. 1940)
Peggy Ann Kent
(m. 1940; div. 1942)
Marusia Radunska
(m. 1942; div. 1949)
Lois Corbett
(m. 1950)
[1]

Don Wilson (September 1, 1900 – April 25, 1982) was an American announcer and actor in radio and television, with a Falstaffian vocal presence, remembered best as the rotund announcer and comic foil to the star of The Jack Benny Program.

Early life

Wilson played football for the University of Colorado in the 1920s. For his size he was an excellent sportsman, and was an excellent amateur golfer, teaming up with fellow NBC announcer Bud Stevens to win many matches in Southern California.

Wilson began his radio career as a singer over Denver radio station KFEL in 1923.[2] By 1929, he was working at KFI, and shortly afterwards for Don Lee at KHJ, in Los Angeles. In a 1978 appearance on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, Wilson claimed he was fired from KHJ because he had bought a Packard from Earle C. Anthony, the business arch-rival of Cadillac dealer Don Lee and owner of KFI and KECA.[3]

Career

Wilson (left) is honored by Jack Benny on his 27th anniversary in broadcasting (January 1961)

Though best known for his comedy work with Benny, Wilson had a background as a sportscaster, covering the opening of the 1932 Summer Olympics. Don appeared in two Broadway shows in the 1930s, "The Passionate Pilgrim", which opened October 19, 1932, and "The First Legion", which opened October 1, 1934.[4] Wilson first worked with Benny on the broadcast of April 6, 1934, concurrent with a short stint as announcer on George Gershwin's series, Music by Gershwin. At 6 feet (1.83 m) and 300 pounds (140 kg), Wilson possessed a resonant voice, a deep belly laugh, and a plump figure, all of which would become important parts of his character with Benny. Though Wilson's primary function as announcer was to read the opening and the commercial pitches – notably for Jell-O, Grape-Nuts, and Lucky Strike – his importance to the program was as both feed and foil to Jack and other cast members. A recurring goal was his effort to get the Sportsmen Quartet singing commercials approved by Benny.

On radio in particular, Wilson's girth could be exploited, both in jokes by Benny and in audio gags, such as the amount of time it took a railroad porter to brush the soot off of Don following a train trip, or to measure charging him by the pound.

Wilson rarely flubbed his lines. His most famous incident occurred on the January 8, 1950 broadcast. The script called for him to refer to columnist Drew Pearson, but Wilson read the name as "Dreer Pooson". Later on in the broadcast, during a murder-mystery skit, Frank Nelson was instructed – without Jack Benny's knowledge – to take advantage of the situation. Benny asked Nelson, "Pardon me, are you the doorman?" and Nelson, in his customary sarcastic manner, came back with: "Well who do you think I am, Dreer Pooson?," to sustained laughter and applause.

Wilson also served stints as announcer for radio comedy or variety shows starring Alan Young,[5] Bing Crosby, Ginny Simms, and Fanny Brice's comedy hit Baby Snooks. In 1946, Don Wilson was a regular on the daytime comedy Glamour Manor, opposite former Jack Benny Program regular Kenny Baker.

Wilson accompanied Benny into television in 1950, remaining with him through the end of the series in 1965. On television, the fat jokes were toned down only slightly, mostly because the real Wilson was not as impossibly large as the radio Wilson was described. These appearances also often involved the fictional character of Don's equally hefty, aspiring announcer son, Harlow (played by Dale White). Wilson co-starred with Benny in Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) and voicing a caricature of himself in The Mouse that Jack Built, a 1959 Warner Brothers spoof of The Jack Benny Program directed by Robert McKimson. Wilson appeared in the Broadway show Make a Million, which opened on October 23, 1958.[4]

In 1959, Wilson appeared as a flim-flam preacher in the episode, "Gates Ajar Morgan", on the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. In the story line, Morgan promotes a false religious philosophy based on the novel The Gates Ajar. He must confess the sham to save his friend and benefactor from a lynch mob. The episode also features Chris Alcaide and Sue Randall.[6]

His other film roles included small appearances as announcers or commentators in several films, providing narration for Walt Disney's Academy Award nominated short Ferdinand the Bull, and a credited appearance as Mr. Kettering opposite Marilyn Monroe in Niagara. His role in the film Village Barn Dance was acclaimed by a review that said, "Surprise performance was that of Don Wilson ... who steals the show with his portrayal of a good-humored, grinning radio announcer."[7]

Wilson did frequent commercials and appeared in the Western Union Candygram commercials as their spokesman from 1969 through 1971. Those who recall the commercial remember him blaring out "Just tell them I want to send a Candygram."[8]

His final on-camera appearance in a series was in two episodes of the 1960s Batman as newscaster Walter Klondike (spoofing Walter Cronkite). Wilson would continue to appear on talk-shows throughout his life whenever a program would salute Jack Benny or talk about old-time radio.

Personal life

Wilson was married four times. His second wife was Peggy Ann Kent, daughter of 20th Century Fox President Sidney R. Kent. They were married November 19, 1940 and divorced in December, 1942.[9] The same month the divorce was final, Wilson married Polish countess Marusia Radunska. This marriage ended in divorce in 1949.[10] Wilson finally found a lasting partnership with fourth wife, radio actress Lois Corbett (who occasionally appeared as "Mrs. Wilson" on Benny's later radio and TV shows). Together they hosted a local Palm Springs, California television show Town Talk from 1968 until the mid-1970s.[2]

Death

Wilson and his wife lived in Palm Springs after his retirement.[11][12] He died of a stroke in his Cathedral City, California home in April 1982.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Don Wilson, 81, Announcer Who Was Jack Benny's Foil". The New York Times. April 27, 1982.
  2. ^ a b "Don Wilson Beaming Over Desert TV", Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1975.
  3. ^ Tomorrow with Tom Snyder. April 4, 1978.
  4. ^ a b "Donald Wilson – Broadway Cast & Staff". IBDB. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. ^ Dunning, John (1998). "The Alan Young Show". On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
  6. ^ "Gates Ajar Morgan on Death Valley Days". IMDb. October 5, 1966. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "This Week on the Screen" (PDF). Movie and Radio Guide. 9 (21): 30. March 2, 1940. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Western Union, Don Wilson, Candy Gram, Mother's Day". YouTube.
  9. ^ "Wife Divorces Don Wilson; Charges Extreme Cruelty". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. December 4, 1942. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  10. ^ "Don Wilson's Wife Says Television Broke Up Marriage". Chicago Daily Tribune. June 18, 1949. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  11. ^ "Palm Springs Home To Radio Veterans". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 18, 1974. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  12. ^ Meeks, Eric G. (2014) [2012]. The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. p. 363. ISBN 978-1-4793-2859-8.

Sources

  • Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3

External links

Baca informasi lainnya:

Ini adalah nama Korea; marganya adalah Park. Park Bo-youngLahir12 Februari 1990 (umur 33)Jeungpyeong, Provinsi Chungcheong Utara,  Korea SelatanPendidikan Universitas Dankook Teater dan Film Pekerjaan Aktris Tahun aktif2006–sekarangNama KoreaHangul박보영 Hanja朴寶英 Alih AksaraBak Bo-yeongMcCune–ReischauerPak Po-yŏng Park Bo-young (lahir 12 Februari 1990) adalah seorang aktris Korea selatan. Dia juga membintangi untuk film hitnya Speedy Scandal dan A Werewolf Boy, serta…

ثوران بركاني غامض في 1808تركيز الكبريتات في نوى جليدية من جرينلاند، تم تأريخها عن طريق حساب تغيرات نظائر الأكسجين الموسمية: حدث ثوران غير معروف بعض الشيء قبل العام 1810.[1] الذروة التي حدثت بعد 1815 كان سببها ثوران جبل تامبورا.معلومات عامةالمكان المحيط الهادئ — southwest Pacific (en) تع

1982 documentary film Say Amen, SomebodyOriginal poster artDirected byGeorge NierenbergProduced byGeorge T. NierenbergKaren NierenbergStarringThomas A. DorseyWillie Mae Ford SmithDelois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett SistersZella Jackson Pricethe O'Neal TwinsCinematographyEdward Lachman, Don LenzerEdited byPaul BarnesProductioncompanyGTN ProductionDistributed byUnited Artists Classics[1]Release date October 5, 1982 (October 5, 1982) Running time100 minutesCountryUnited StatesBudge…

طيار الاختبارTest Pilot (بالإنجليزية) معلومات عامةالصنف الفني دراماالموضوع طيران تاريخ الصدور 1938مدة العرض 118 دقيقةاللغة الأصلية الإنجليزيةالعرض أبيض وأسود البلد الولايات المتحدةالطاقمالمخرج فيكتور فليمنغ[1][2] السيناريو هاورد هوكس — John Lee Mahin (en) — فالديمار يونغ البطول

Грузія на Олімпійських іграх Код МОК:GEO НОК:Національний олімпійськийкомітет Грузії Олімпійські ігри в Афінах Спортсмени 32 у 10 видах спорту Прапороносець Зураб Звіадаурі МедаліМісце: 32 Золото2 Срібло2 Бронза0 Всього4 Участь у літніх Олімпійських іграх 1996 • 2000 •…

DIBt, Berlin – Eingangsbereich außen DIBt, Berlin – Außenansicht Das Deutsche Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt) ist eine technische Behörde im Baubereich. Das Institut übt seine Tätigkeit auf Grundlage eines zwischen Bund und Ländern geschlossenen Abkommens aus. Seine wichtigste Aufgabe ist die Zulassung bzw. Genehmigung von regelungsbedürftigen Bauprodukten und Bauarten. Das Institut hat seinen Sitz in Berlin.[1] Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Aufgaben / Tätigkeitsbereiche 2 Geschichte …

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish. (August 2010) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Spanish article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedi…

هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (ديسمبر 2021)   فيلومينا مانتيلا (بالإنجليزية: Philomena Mantella)‏ (مواليد 1955)[1] هي الرئيس الحالي لجامعة غراندفالي، في ألينديل بولاية ميشيغان. في 22 يناير 2019، تم انتخابها من ق…

كزنار  - قرية -  تقسيم إداري البلد  إيران[1] المحافظة لرستان المقاطعة أليغودرز الناحية الناحية المركزية القسم الريفي قسم خومة الریفي إحداثيات 33°23′08″N 49°44′38″E / 33.38556°N 49.74389°E / 33.38556; 49.74389 السكان التعداد السكاني 381 نسمة (إحصاء 2016) معلومات أخرى التوق

Františkovy Lázně Františkovy Lázně (Tschechien) Basisdaten Staat: Tschechien Tschechien Historischer Landesteil: Böhmen Region: Karlovarský kraj Bezirk: Cheb Fläche: 2576,164[1] ha Geographische Lage: 50° 7′ N, 12° 21′ O50.12027777777812.351666666667442Koordinaten: 50° 7′ 13″ N, 12° 21′ 6″ O Höhe: 442 m n.m. Einwohner: 5.707 (1. Jan. 2023)[2] Postleitzahl: 351 01 Kfz-Kennzeichen: K (alt CH…

2023年 6月(水無月) 日 月 火 水 木 金 土 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 365日 各月 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6月23日(ろくがつにじゅうさんにち)は、グレゴリオ暦で年始から174日目(閏年では175日目)にあたり、年末まであと191日ある。 できごと 第一次スコットランド独立戦争、バノックバーンの戦い(1314)でスコットランドが決定的勝利 マルタ

2019 video game 2019 video gameSupralandDeveloper(s)Supra GamesPublisher(s)Supra GamesHumble Games (consoles)EngineUnreal Engine 4Platform(s)WindowsNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4Xbox OneReleaseWindowsWW: April 5, 2019Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneWW: October 22, 2020Genre(s)Metroidvania, puzzle video gameMode(s)Single-player Supraland is a Metroidvania-styled video game developed by Supra Games. The game was originally self-published for PC and left early access on April 5, 2019. Ports f…

1996 studio album by LindaVoronaВоронаStudio album by LindaReleasedDecember 3, 1996RecordedJune - August 1996GenreAlternative rock, folk rock, trip hop, indie-rockLength53:09LabelKristal'naya MuzykaProducerMaxim FadeevLinda chronology Tantsi tibetskikh lam(1994) VoronaВорона(1996) Vorona. Remake. Remix(1997) Singles from Vorona Krug ot rukiReleased: 1995 (1995) Severniy veterReleased: September 1996 (1996-09) VoronaReleased: November 1996 (1996-11) Ma…

Filipino poet, critic and writer This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Cirilo BautistaBautista in 2016Born(1941-07-09)July 9, 1941Manila, Commonwealth of the PhilippinesDiedMay 6, 2018(2018-05-06) (aged 76)Manila, PhilippinesResting placeLibingan ng mga BayaniEducationUniversity of S…

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (January 2019) This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: Sarvodaya Sanskrit…

1998 single by the MisfitsI Wanna Be a NY RangerSingle by the MisfitsReleasedAugust 1998RecordedMay 1998GenreHorror punkLength1:38LabelNon-Homogenized Productions Ltd.Songwriter(s)John CafieroProducer(s)John CafieroMisfits singles chronology Dig Up Her Bones (1997) I Wanna Be a NY Ranger (1998) Scream! (1999) Audio sampleThe marketing department of the New York Rangers objected to the use of the word danger in the song's lyrics.filehelp I Wanna Be a NY Ranger is the eighth single by American…

Episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!Neon Genesis Evangelion episodeThe episode's final battle, in which the two Evas fight in unison and act as one, received praise from critics.Episode no.Episode 9Directed bySeiji MizushimaWritten byHideaki Anno, Akio SatsukawaOriginal air dateNovember 29, 1995 (1995-11-29)Running time22 minutesEpisode chronology ← PreviousAsuka Strikes! Next →Magmadiver List of episodes Both of You, Dance Like…

Arts festival This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: Europalia – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article include…

Chinese government agency for rural development You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Chinese. (March 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not t…

Italian football manager (born 1967) Massimiliano Allegri Allegri managing Juventus in 2018Personal informationFull name Massimiliano Allegri[1]Date of birth (1967-08-11) 11 August 1967 (age 56)Place of birth Livorno, ItalyHeight 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]Position(s) MidfielderTeam informationCurrent team Juventus (head coach)Senior career*Years Team Apps (Gls)1984–1985 Cuoiopelli [it] 7 (0)1985–1988 Livorno 29 (0)1988–1989 Pisa 2 (0)1989–1990 …

French manufacturer of trucks and buses SaviemTypeSubsidiaryIndustryAutomotive industryPredecessorsRenault Poids LourdsSomuaLatilFounded1955[1]Defunct1978[1][2][3]FateMerged into Renault Véhicules Industriels[1][2][3]SuccessorRenault TrucksHeadquartersSuresnes, France[4]ProductsTrucks, light commercial vehicles, buses/coachesParentRégie Nationale des Usines Renault The Société Anonyme de Véhicules Industriels et d'Équipements …

This article is about the Tom Jones song. For the Forever the Sickest Kids song, see She's a Lady (Forever the Sickest Kids song). For the Blue System song, see Walking on a Rainbow. For the John Sebastian song, see John Sebastian. 1971 single by Tom JonesShe's a LadySingle by Tom Jonesfrom the album Tom Jones Sings She's a Lady B-sideMy WayReleasedJanuary 1971[1]Recorded1970GenrePopLength2:53LabelDecca (UK), Parrot (US and Canada)Songwriter(s)Paul AnkaProducer(s)Gordon MillsTom Jones UK…

Matthew Pinsent Medallista olímpico Matthew Pinsent (2018)Datos personalesNombre completo Matthew Clive PinsentNacimiento Holt, Reino Unido10 de octubre de 1970 (53 años)Carrera deportivaRepresentante de Reino Unido Reino UnidoDeporte Remo               Medallero Remo masculino Evento O P B Juegos Olímpicos 4 0 0 Campeonato Mundial 10 0 2 Página web oficial[editar datos en Wikidata] Matthew Clive P…

1990 cyberpunk original video animation series Not to be confused with Police File. AD Police FilesUnited Kingdom DVD cover from Manga UK Original video animationDirected byTakamasa Ikegami (1)Akira Nishimori (2–3)Written byShō Aikawa[1]Tony TakezakiMusic byTakehito NakazawaKaoru Mizutani[1]StudioArtmicAICLicensed byNA: AnimEigoUK: Manga EntertainmentReleased May 25, 1990 – November 22, 1990Runtime26 minutes per episodeEpisodes3 (List of episodes) Related…

هجوم عفرين جزء من عملية غصن الزيتون، تدخل تركيا في الحرب الأهلية السورية والاحتلال التركي لشمال سوريا      سيطرة الاحتلال التركي      سيطرة قوات سوريا الديمقراطية      سيطرة الجيش السوري      سيطرة مشتركة للجيش السوري وقوات سو…

Russian film director, screenwriter, producer and actor Aleksey NuzhnyyАлексей НужныйAleksey Nuzhnyy, cinema directorBornAleksey Nikolayevich Chernomazov (1984-05-16) 16 May 1984 (age 39)Yoshkar-Ola, RSFSR, USSRCitizenshipRussian FederationOccupationsFilm directorscreenwriterproduceractor Aleksey Nikolayevich Nuzhnyy, real surname is Chernomazov (Russian: Алексе́й Никола́евич Ну́жный; born 16 June 1984) is a Russian film director, screenwriter, produce…

Questa voce sull'argomento cestisti statunitensi è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Dwayne Whitfield Nazionalità  Stati Uniti Altezza 201 cm Peso 109 kg Pallacanestro Ruolo Ala Termine carriera 2002 Carriera Giovanili Aberdeen High School1992-1995 Jackson St. Tigers Squadre di club 1995 Toronto Raptors8 (40)1996 Libertas Forlì7 (77)1997 Piratas de Bogotá1997 Ph…

Relational aspect of psychoanalysis This article is missing information about the evidence-based scientific evaluation of this phenomenon. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (December 2018) Part of a series of articles onPsychoanalysis Concepts Psychosexual development Psychosocial development (Erikson) Unconscious Preconscious Consciousness Psychic apparatus Id, ego and superego Ego defenses Projection Introjection Libido Drive Tra…

У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Лунинец (значения). ГородЛунинецбелор. Лунінец Крестовоздвиженская церковь Флаг[d] Герб[d] 52°15′ с. ш. 26°48′ в. д.HGЯO Страна  Белоруссия Область Брестская область Район Лунинецкий Председатель райисполкома Ал…

USS Lassen ti Angkatan Laut Amerika Sarikat Angkatan Laut (AL) nyaéta bagian militer hiji nagara nu perangna di cai maké kapal. Sabagéan gedé AL diwangun tina kapal perang. AL bisa ogé miboga Angkatan Udara jeung soldadu sorangan. Tempo ogé Angkatan Laut Indonésia Angkatan Laut Karajaan Artikel ieu mangrupa taratas, perlu disampurnakeun. Upami sadérék uninga langkung paos perkawis ieu, dihaturan kanggo ngalengkepan.

Kembali kehalaman sebelumnya