Jimmy Wallington

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Jimmy Wallington
Jimmy Wallington.jpg
Wallington on the radio show Ask Hollywood.
Birth name James Wallington
Born September 15, 1907
Rochester, New York
Died December 22, 1972 (aged 65)
Arlington, Virginia
Show The Big Show, The Fred Allen Show a.k.a. Texaco Star Theater,The Life of Riley
Station(s) NBC, CBS
Style Announcer
Country United States

James "Jimmy" Wallington (September 15, 1907 – December 22, 1972)[1] 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.[2]

 

 

Biography[edit]

James Wallington was born in Rochester, New York on September 15, 1907.[1] 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 the announcer for several popular radio shows in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, including Texaco Star Theaterwith Fred Allen (1941–44) and Texaco Town with Eddie Cantor. As with most announcers, Wallington would announce the program's star, then read the sponsor's commercials. In addition, he was often given comedy lines. 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.[3]

Wallington died at Arlington, Virginia on December 22, 1972.[1]

 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i Wallington, Jimmy. "The Internet Movie Database". Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  2. Jump up^ Wallington, Jimmy. "Hollywood Walk of Fame Directory". Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b c Wallington, Jimmy. "Old Radio Forums". Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  4. ^ Jump up to:a b c Wallington, Jimmy. "NY Times Filmography". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-25.[dead link]
  5. Jump up^ Wallington, Jimmy. "Premier Collections - The Big Show Volume 1". Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  6. Jump up^ Stiller, Jerry. "Stiller Mania - Chapter 12 "Seeing Eddie Cantor"". Retrieved 2007-11-25.