Chuck Zink
Encyclopedia
Charles DeWayne Zink was an American
television personality and film actor, best known for playing the character Skipper Chuck
who hosted the popular South Florida children's television series
called Popeye Playhouse (1957–1979).
on February 4, 1925. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
, and served during World War II
, receiving a Bronze Star
.
After being discharged from the Marine Corps, Zink began a career in broadcasting in Pennsylvania. He moved to Miami and joined WTVJ
in 1956. Zink played the children's show host Skipper Chuck from 1957 to 1979. In 1980, he hosted a short-run TV gameshow for elementary school children in a format similar to Jeopardy.
He also appeared in the B-movie Mission Mars
in 1968 which was created in Miami.
Zink worked with Jerry Lewis
as the local representative for many of the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Labor Day
Telethons, not only as the local host for 24 years of the marathon through 2005, but by including children with muscular dystrophy on his children's show. He also was the television host of the local Orange Bowl New Year's Parade for 22 years, and the announcer for the Jackie Gleason Show for 12 years.
Zink lived in South Florida for 50 years, and was a popular local personality that used his recognizable voice in national events such as the Miss USA
and Miss Universe
pageants. He also hosted a local radio program known as The Lunch Bunch on WJNA, winning a Big Mike award for Radio Personality of the Year. He also hosted The Senior Side for radio listeners of WXEL in Palm Beach County. He also was the sales voice and poster face of Century Village, an active retirement community in South Florida.
He was able to use his position with children to change views on race relations, the peace movement, and later in his career, treatment of the elderly. His show included the first integrated children's audience in South Florida, and his trademark hand symbol, with three fingers up, represented "Peace, Love, and Happiness", as a way to improve upon the peace symbol the children were seeing on the news. His "Word of the Day" helped young immigrants to learn the English language, including many Cubans that moved into Miami during the years of his show.
Zink died in January 2006 in Boca Raton, Florida
, under care of Hospice by the Sea at the age of 80 of complications from a massive stroke suffered on December 19, 2005. He was survived by his wife of many years, Clarice Zink.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television personality and film actor, best known for playing the character Skipper Chuck
Skipper Chuck
Skipper Chuck was the host of a popular local children's television series called Popeye Playhouse, which aired weekday mornings on the American television station WTVJ in South Florida from 1957 until 1979...
who hosted the popular South Florida children's television series
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
called Popeye Playhouse (1957–1979).
Biography
Charles Zink was born in South Bend, IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
on February 4, 1925. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, and served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, receiving a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
After being discharged from the Marine Corps, Zink began a career in broadcasting in Pennsylvania. He moved to Miami and joined WTVJ
WTVJ
WTVJ, virtual channel 6 , is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC television network, located in Broward County. WTVJ shares its TV studio and office facility with co-owned Telemundo station WSCV in Miramar, Florida, and its transmitter is located near Sun Life Stadium in north...
in 1956. Zink played the children's show host Skipper Chuck from 1957 to 1979. In 1980, he hosted a short-run TV gameshow for elementary school children in a format similar to Jeopardy.
He also appeared in the B-movie Mission Mars
Mission Mars
Mission Mars was the 2003-04 challenge theme of FIRST Lego League. It revolved around the NASA missions to Mars with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.-Project:...
in 1968 which was created in Miami.
Zink worked with Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
as the local representative for many of the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion. Muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue.In the 1860s, descriptions of boys who...
Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
Telethons, not only as the local host for 24 years of the marathon through 2005, but by including children with muscular dystrophy on his children's show. He also was the television host of the local Orange Bowl New Year's Parade for 22 years, and the announcer for the Jackie Gleason Show for 12 years.
Zink lived in South Florida for 50 years, and was a popular local personality that used his recognizable voice in national events such as the Miss USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
and Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
pageants. He also hosted a local radio program known as The Lunch Bunch on WJNA, winning a Big Mike award for Radio Personality of the Year. He also hosted The Senior Side for radio listeners of WXEL in Palm Beach County. He also was the sales voice and poster face of Century Village, an active retirement community in South Florida.
He was able to use his position with children to change views on race relations, the peace movement, and later in his career, treatment of the elderly. His show included the first integrated children's audience in South Florida, and his trademark hand symbol, with three fingers up, represented "Peace, Love, and Happiness", as a way to improve upon the peace symbol the children were seeing on the news. His "Word of the Day" helped young immigrants to learn the English language, including many Cubans that moved into Miami during the years of his show.
Zink died in January 2006 in Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, incorporated in May 1925. In the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. However, the majority of the people under the postal address of Boca Raton, about...
, under care of Hospice by the Sea at the age of 80 of complications from a massive stroke suffered on December 19, 2005. He was survived by his wife of many years, Clarice Zink.
Awards
For his work on television and for children, Zink received many awards, including:- Two Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s - One Big Mike Award