Art Baker
Encyclopedia
Art Baker, born Arthur Shank, (January 7, 1898 – August 26, 1966) was a film, television and radio actor of the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Born in New York City
, he was most well known for his radio and television work which began in the mid-1930s. Starting in 1938, he began "Art Baker's Notebook" on Los Angeles' KFI radio station, which lasted for two decades.
Baker appeared in over forty films including Alfred Hitchcock
's Spellbound
(1945), The Farmer's Daughter (1947), Frank Capra
's State of the Union
(1948), Any Number Can Play
(1949) starring Clark Gable
, and The Underworld Story
(1950).
His tall, slim frame, snow white hair, smooth slightly nasal voice and a genial nature made him a natural for playing business tycoons, doctors, and senators in various movies. Baker grew up in New York and, after a number of different jobs, eventually became an actor.
He had four children, Virginia, who died of TB
, Arthur (Bart), Robert and Dorothy by his first wife. They lived in Iowa.
Baker was best noted for his work on the television series You Asked For It
(for which he became affectionately dubbed, "your genie with the light, white hair") between December 1950 and January 1958, being succeeded by Jack Smith. He died of a heart attack
in a bank in L.A. in 1966.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he was most well known for his radio and television work which began in the mid-1930s. Starting in 1938, he began "Art Baker's Notebook" on Los Angeles' KFI radio station, which lasted for two decades.
Baker appeared in over forty films including Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's Spellbound
Spellbound (1945 film)
Spellbound is a psychological mystery thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1945. It tells the story of the new head of a mental asylum who turns out not to be what he claims. The film stars Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov and Leo G. Carroll. It is an adaptation by Angus...
(1945), The Farmer's Daughter (1947), Frank Capra
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
's State of the Union
State of the Union (film)
State of the Union is a 1948 film adaptation written by Myles Connolly and Anthony Veiller of the Russel Crouse, Howard Lindsay play of the same name. Directed by Frank Capra and starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, the film is Capra's first and only project for MGM Pictures...
(1948), Any Number Can Play
Any Number Can Play
Any Number Can Play is a 1949 drama film starring Clark Gable and Alexis Smith. It is based on the novel of the same name by Edward Harris Heth.-Cast:*Clark Gable as Charley Enley Kyng*Alexis Smith as Lon Kyng*Wendell Corey as Robbin Elcott...
(1949) starring Clark Gable
Clark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
, and The Underworld Story
The Underworld Story
The Underworld Story is a 1950 American film noir starring Dan Duryea, Herbert Marshall, and Gale Storm. Howard Da Silva plays the loud-mouthed gangster Carl Durham, one of his last roles before becoming blacklisted....
(1950).
His tall, slim frame, snow white hair, smooth slightly nasal voice and a genial nature made him a natural for playing business tycoons, doctors, and senators in various movies. Baker grew up in New York and, after a number of different jobs, eventually became an actor.
He had four children, Virginia, who died of TB
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, Arthur (Bart), Robert and Dorothy by his first wife. They lived in Iowa.
Baker was best noted for his work on the television series You Asked For It
You Asked For It
You Asked for It is a popular human-interest show created and hosted by Art Baker. Initially titled The Art Baker Show, the program originally aired on American television between 1950 and 1959...
(for which he became affectionately dubbed, "your genie with the light, white hair") between December 1950 and January 1958, being succeeded by Jack Smith. He died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in a bank in L.A. in 1966.