Jimmy Wallington
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Wallington (September 15, 1907 – December 22, 1972) was an American radio personality.
After playing small roles in a few Hollywood films, he was the announcer for several popular radio shows in the 1940s and 1950s.
For his work on radio
, Wallington has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 6660 Hollywood Blvd.
on September 15, 1907.
He was the son of Lewis Eugene Wallington, of the Muskoka District, Ontario, Canada and Jane Whaley. Jimmy was married four times. His first wife was Stanislawa Butkiewicz. They were married in 1929 and divorced in Reno, Nevada on July 10, 1934. His second wife was Anita Fuhrmann. They were married on August 18, 1934 in Newark, New Jersey. Anita was one of the original members of the Radio City Rockettes. She died on May 7, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. His third wife was Betty Jane Cooper. They were married on August 12, 1936 in Grosse Point, Michigan. His fourth wife was Erna Gilsow.
He was an announcer and narrator for several popular radio shows in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. When radio shows moved to television, he continued as a television announcer in the 1950s. (see the Filmography section)
After years as a radio announcer, he became a TV star in California doing Life Insurance and other commercials. He ended his professional radio career as a Voice of America
radio announcer in the Worldwide English service.
Wallington died at Arlington, Virginia
on December 22, 1972.
After playing small roles in a few Hollywood films, he was the announcer for several popular radio shows in the 1940s and 1950s.
For his work on radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, Wallington has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 6660 Hollywood Blvd.
Biography
James Wallington was born in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
on September 15, 1907.
He was the son of Lewis Eugene Wallington, of the Muskoka District, Ontario, Canada and Jane Whaley. Jimmy was married four times. His first wife was Stanislawa Butkiewicz. They were married in 1929 and divorced in Reno, Nevada on July 10, 1934. His second wife was Anita Fuhrmann. They were married on August 18, 1934 in Newark, New Jersey. Anita was one of the original members of the Radio City Rockettes. She died on May 7, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. His third wife was Betty Jane Cooper. They were married on August 12, 1936 in Grosse Point, Michigan. His fourth wife was Erna Gilsow.
He was an announcer and narrator for several popular radio shows in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. When radio shows moved to television, he continued as a television announcer in the 1950s. (see the Filmography section)
After years as a radio announcer, he became a TV star in California doing Life Insurance and other commercials. He ended his professional radio career as a Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
radio announcer in the Worldwide English service.
Wallington died at Arlington, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
on December 22, 1972.
Movies
- Joe Palooka in Triple Cross (1951) .... Himself
- Hollywood Stadium Mystery (1938) .... Nick Nichols
- Start Cheering (1938) .... Announcer
Radio
- The Big ShowThe Big Show (NBC Radio)The Big Show, an American radio variety program featuring 90 minutes of top-name comic, stage, screen and music talent, was aimed at keeping American radio in its classic era alive and well against the rapidly-growing television tide...
(1950–1951) .... Himself - Announcer - The Life of RileyThe Life of RileyThe Life of Riley, with William Bendix in the title role, is a popular American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a long-run 1950s television series , and a 1958 Dell comic book...
(1949–1951) .... Himself - Announcer - Screen Director's PlayhouseScreen Director's PlayhouseScreen Director's Playhouse is a popular radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949...
(1949–1951) .... Himself - Announcer - Stranger Than Fiction (1934–1939) .... Himself - Announcer
- The Fred Allen ShowFred AllenFred Allen was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio.His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it...
(1940s) .... Himself - Announcer - The Martin & Lewis Show (1949-51) . . . Himself - Announcer
Television
- Panic (1958) .... Radio Announcer (1 episode)
- Toast of the TownThe Ed Sullivan ShowThe Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
(1955) .... Himself (1 episode) - This Is Your LifeThis Is Your LifeThis Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
(1954) .... Himself (1 episode) - The Colgate Comedy HourThe Colgate Comedy HourThe Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show stars many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou...
(1951–1953) .... Himself - Announcer