Jim Boyd (actor)
Encyclopedia
Jim Boyd is an American actor, born in Philadelphia.
Boyd spent four years in the Air Force
and studied at the American Academy for Dramatic Arts.
He did voice work (along with Wayland Flowers
and Cleavon Little
) for puppets on The Surprise Show, a children's program that aired locally in the New York City
area in the late 1960s. The puppets used on the show, called Aniforms, had been developed by puppeteer Morey Bunin.
In 1971, the Children’s Television Workshop
(now Sesame Workshop) contacted Boyd because it wanted to use Aniforms in a television show that became known as The Electric Company
. During the first season, Boyd’s voice was used extensively, especially for the character J. Arthur Crank, who was just an angry voice on the telephone at the time. Boyd was unseen until season two, when he became a regular cast member, appearing on-camera until the show stopped production in 1977.
Boyd's wife is named Kathleen Paris, and they have a daughter.
Boyd is often confused with Mississippi-born Jimmy Boyd
, singer of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
," who was also an actor. Despite having separate IMDb entries, these two actors' filmographies are still combined—although to a lesser degree than before.
Boyd spent four years in the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and studied at the American Academy for Dramatic Arts.
He did voice work (along with Wayland Flowers
Wayland Flowers
Wayland P. Flowers, Jr. was an American puppeteer. He was born and raised in Dawson, Georgia. Flowers was best known for the puppet act he created with his puppet Madame...
and Cleavon Little
Cleavon Little
Cleavon Jake Little was an American film and theatre actor.Little was widely known for his lead role as Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. He also was the irreverent Dr...
) for puppets on The Surprise Show, a children's program that aired locally in the 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...
area in the late 1960s. The puppets used on the show, called Aniforms, had been developed by puppeteer Morey Bunin.
In 1971, the Children’s Television Workshop
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop , is a Worldwide American non-profit organization behind the production of several educational children's programs that have run on public broadcasting around the world...
(now Sesame Workshop) contacted Boyd because it wanted to use Aniforms in a television show that became known as The Electric Company
The Electric Company
The Electric Company is an educational American children's television series that was produced by the Children's Television Workshop for PBS in the United States. PBS broadcast 780 episodes over the course of its six seasons from October 25, 1971 to April 15, 1977...
. During the first season, Boyd’s voice was used extensively, especially for the character J. Arthur Crank, who was just an angry voice on the telephone at the time. Boyd was unseen until season two, when he became a regular cast member, appearing on-camera until the show stopped production in 1977.
Boyd's wife is named Kathleen Paris, and they have a daughter.
Boyd is often confused with Mississippi-born Jimmy Boyd
Jimmy Boyd
Jimmy Boyd was an American singer, musician, and actor. He was best known for his recording of the novelty song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".-Early years:...
, singer of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is an American Christmas song with music and lyrics by Tommie Connor.The original recording by Jimmy Boyd on 15 July 1952 when he was 13 reached #1 on the Billboard charts in December 1952, and on the Cash Box chart at the beginning of the following year...
," who was also an actor. Despite having separate IMDb entries, these two actors' filmographies are still combined—although to a lesser degree than before.
External links
- The Electric Company official Web site
- Jim Boyd at the Internet Movie Database