Ralph Edwards

Born: 1913-06-13

Ralph Edwards was born near Merino, Colorado, in 1913, moving with his family to Oakland, California, when he was 12. He worked his way through college at radio stations in Oakland and San Francisco, graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1935 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama. Edwards moved to New York in 1936 and became one of radio's busiest announcers, doing as many as 45 network shows a week. In 1940, in response to this hectic pace, Edwards created, produced and hosted the landmark audience participation show "Truth or Consequences". The show's great popularity led to his appearance in the Lucille Ball-Victor Mature film Seven Days' Leave (1942). He moved the show and his production company to Hollywood in 1945, where he made three more films for RKO: Radio Stars on Parade (1945), The Bamboo Blonde (1946) and Beat the Band (1947), all with Frances Langford. His big-screen career took a decided back seat in 1948, when Edwards first brought to the air his other long-running show, This Is Your Life (1952). On radio for its first two years, Edwards took the program to NBC-TV in 1952, where it remained until 1961, winning two Emmys (he also hosted a syndicated version from 1971-1973). His last feature film appearance came in the Susan Hayward MGM bio-pic of Lillian Roth, I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955), which ends with a recreation of Roth's appearance on This Is Your Life (1952). Edwards' television career began in earnest in 1950, when The New Truth and Consequences (1950) aired one season on CBS-TV and earned the first Emmy awarded for an audience participation show. He turned over host duties to Jack Bailey in 1954 and, in 1956, launched the career of Bob Barker as host of the daytime version. Edwards, also well-known for his extensive charitable and philanthropic activities, became one of TV's most prolific producers. Date of Birth 13 June 1913, Merino, Colorado Date of Death 16 November 2005, West Hollywood, California (congestive heart failure)


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Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust

as Self
Released: 2004-01-01

Daniel Anker’s 90-minute documentary takes on over 60 years of a very complex subject:...

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Manhattan Merry-Go-Round

as Radio Man (uncredited)
Released: 1937-11-26

In this musical comedy, a crooked record producer uses his mob connections to force performers...

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The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers

as Self
Released: 1962-01-06

A TV movie with intertwining music numbers and sketches.

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He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce

as Self (archive footage)
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Tribute to Universal make-up artist Jack Pierce who created some of the studio's most famous...

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Radio Stars on Parade

as Ralph Edwards
Released: 1945-08-01

A Hollywood talent agency tries to avoid finacial ruin by getting its best clients on the air.

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The Bamboo Blonde

as Eddie Clark
Released: 1946-07-15

A pilot of a B 29 meets Louise Anderson, a singer in a New York nightclub. He falls in love with...

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Beat the Band

as Eddie Martin
Released: 1947-02-19

Singer Ann wants back her money that the manager of a big-band has embezzled.

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The Steve Allen Show

as Self - This Is Your Life
First aired: 1956-06-24

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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

as Self
First aired: 1967-09-09

An American sketch comedy television program hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

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The Colgate Comedy Hour

as Self
First aired: 1950-09-10

The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC...

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The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

as Self
First aired: 1956-10-05

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show is an American variety series hosted by Dinah Shore, and broadcast on...

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This Is Your Life

as Self - Host
First aired: 1952-10-01

This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally...

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