Ken Murray
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Ken Murray (July 14, 1903 – October 12, 1988) was an American entertainer and author.
He was born in New York City to a family of vaudeville 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 the Hollywood Canteen.
Murray hosted The Ken Murray Show, a weekly music and comedy show on CBS television that ran between 1950 and 1953. For his contribution to the radio industry, Murray has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street.
Murray filmed Hollywood celebrities and collected them in compilation films wuch 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 impresario Earl Carroll.
He also appeared in the 1966 Disney movie Follow Me, Boys!.
Ken Murray died in Burbank, California in 1988, aged 85.
[edit] Film Compilations
- Ken Murray's Shooting Stars (1979)
- Hollywood, My Home Town (1965)
- Hollywood Without Makeup (1963)
[edit] 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)
