Fred Foy

Fred Foy (born March 27, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American actor and voice specialist. As of 2006, he lives in Massachusetts.

Professional Work

Shortly after graduating from high school in 1938, Fred Foy started his career in broadcasting with a part-time position at WMBC, a 250-watt independent station in Detroit. He moved to WXYZ in 1942.

In 1948, Foy was chosen as announcer/narrator of “The Lone Ranger”. He understudied the role of the Lone Ranger and stepped into the part for one broadcast when Brace Beemer had laryngitis. His role asannouncer/narrator of this legendary program made the voice of Fred Foy a radio trademark. In 1955, he reprised his famous “Return with us now...” opening narration for “The Lone Ranger” television series. Foy’s distinctive voice was also heard on “The Green Hornet” and “Sgt. Preston of the Yukon” radio series.

His stentorian delivery of “Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear...” thrilled his audience for years and helped the program achieve even greater popularity and status as an outstanding example of radio’s golden age.

Most historians would agree that Foy’s introduction of The Lone Ranger is perhaps the most recognized opening in American radio.

In 1960, Foy joined the announcing staff of the ABC Network in New York. For the ABC Television Network he spent 5 years as announcer and on-camera commercial spokesman for the critically acclaimed “Dick Cavett Show”. He was also the announcer for “The Generation Gap” and other network quiz shows. For the ABC Radio Network he narrated the award-winning news documentary, “Voices in the Headlines”, as well as serving as host and narrator for the ABC dramatic series, “Theatre 5”. He narrated network documentary specials in tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, JFK and Herbert Hoover, to name a few. As spokesman for national advertisers, Foy has represented the Colgate Company, General Motors and Sinclair Gasoline. Among his many credits are TV and radio campaigns for major motion picture companies.

After more than 20 years with the ABC network, Foy left staff in the mid-1980’s. Now semi-retired, he is still active in the broadcast world.

The War Years

Sergeant Frederick William FoySpecial Service Branch of the U.S. Army14th Special Service UnitTechnician Fourth Grade

Date of Induction: August 28, 1942

Date of Entry into Active Service: September 11, 1942

Date of Discharge: January 3, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana

Placed on detached service from the 14th Special Service Company, Sergeant Fred Foy became the American voice on Egyptian State Broadcasting voicing the news and special programs to the Allied Forces in Cairo. He also handled the distribution throughout the Middle East of American big-disc recordings, local re-broadcasts of “Command Performance”, “Mail Call”, “Personal Album”, “Radio Bric-a-Brac”, and “Front Line Theatre”. Announced the American Forces Programme and the Stars and Stripes “American News Letter”, a weekly summary of news from the U.S.A., sport flashes, and items from various theatres of war as well as “Headline News of the Day” in Cairo cinemas. Helped stage and announce USO sponsored programs including a Jack Benny broadcast from Cairo to New York, a Lily Pons - Andre Kostelanetz concert and the fabulous voice of Nelson Eddy.

Wrote his own shows such as “Up To Scratch”, a lively program of the latest tunes from the states and “Shows on Parade” for which he also served as Master of Ceremonies . Wrote and directed “Christmas Overseas” an outstanding radio program broadcast from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which received top honors from Washington. Little short of sensational it contained some of the finest Christmas music ever heard supplied by the Franciscan Boys’ Orphanage Choir and opened with a Christmas story which tied in very well with our reasons for fighting this war. Working with "Stars and Stripes" created and announced a program which allowed the GI’s to hear every play-by-play description of the World Series and wrote scripts, directed and acted with the American Red Cross during the 1945 War Fund Campaign. Received a commendation for voluntarily remaining at his post during the hours from 10 August 1945 until final confirmation was received on 15 August making the latest news available at all times during the news emergency prior to the Japanese surrender.

Post War

After the war, Foy returned to WXYZ in Detroit. He took over the position of announcer and narrator for The Lone Ranger radio program beginning July 2, 1948 and continuing until the series ended on September 3, 1954. He was famous for providing the dramatic introduction to the radio series (1948-1954) and also recorded the introduction for the television series (1949-57).

During the days of live dramatic series on radio, Foy had to be prepared to fill in if any of the performers couldn't do the part. He got the chance to play the Lone Ranger only once, on March 29, 1954, when Brace Beemer had a brief case of laryngitis.

He was announcer for ABC Radio's "Theater Five" (1964-1965).

He was also the announcer for the Dick Cavett television show in the 1960s and 70s.

Autobiography

Mr. Foy has written a published autobiography. "Fred Foy from XYZ to ABC"

Honors

Fred Foy was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in March 2000 and received the prestigious Golden Boot Award from the Motion Picture and Television Fund in August, 2004.

Foy performed his legendary "Return with us now..." Lone Ranger opening narration live at the Hollywood Bowl in August, 2000, with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor John Mauceri.

Links

* [http://www.lonerangerfanclub.com/fredfoy.html] -Lone Ranger Fan Club Tribute Page