- Ken Murray
Ken Murray (
July 14 1903 -October 12 1988 ) was an Americanentertainer andauthor .He was born in
New York City to a family ofvaudeville performers. According to Murray's autobiography ("Life on a Pogo Stick"), Murray's birth name was Kenneth Doncourt. Many sources inaccurately list Murray's birth name as "Don Court." He became famous for his "Blackouts," a stage variety show at the El Capitan Theatre on Vine Street in Hollywood. The Blackouts played to "standing room only" audiences for almost nine years. He was also known for his home movies of celebrities (which he showcased on several TV specials and variety shows).During
World War II , he was one of the many celebrities to volunteer at theHollywood Canteen .Murray hosted "
The Ken Murray Show ", a weekly music and comedy show onCBS television that ran between 1950 and 1953. For his contribution to theradio industry, Murray has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street.Murray filmed Hollywood celebrities and collected them in compilation films such as "Hollywood Without Makeup" (1963). He was also the author of a number of books, including his own story published in 1960 and the only complete life story in print of
Broadway theatre impresarioEarl Carroll .He also appeared in the 1966 Disney movie "
Follow Me, Boys! ".Ken Murray died in
Burbank, California in 1988, aged 85.Film Compilations
*"Ken Murray's Shooting Stars" (1979)
*"Hollywood, My Home Town" (1965)
*"Hollywood Without Makeup" (1963)Books
*"The Body Merchant: The Story of Earl Carroll" (1976)
*"The Golden Days of San Simeon" (1971)
*"Life on a Pogo Stick: Autobiography of a Comedian" (1960)
*"Ken Murray's Giant Joke Book" (1954)
*"Hellions' Hole" (1953)
*"Hellion's Hole" / "Feud In Piney Flats" (1953)
*"Ken Murray's "Blackouts of 1947" (1947)
*"Ken Murray's" Blackouts of 1943" (1943)
*"Foolin' around" (1932)External links
*imdb name|id=0615108|name=Ken Murray
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