Jim Runyon
Encyclopedia
Jim Runyon was an American
radio announcer, disc jockey
, and sometime actor from the late 1950s to 1973.
in 1966; Runyon also played several parts in the show.
James Runyon served in the United States Marine Corps
during the Korean War
. Following his discharge in 1961, he went to work at station KYW
Cleveland, Ohio
. In 1965, he moved to WCFL
in Chicago
. He rejoined what became WKYC in October 1969, replacing Specs Howard on the morning show and kept the position when the station became WWWE in 1972.
at the age of 42. He was survived by his wife, actress Jane Roberts, who had performed with him in Chickenman, and their daughter Jennifer Ryan
(born 1960), a film and television actress.
Runyon's memory was honored at a special Cleveland Indians
game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on May 4, 1973, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio announcer, disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, and sometime actor from the late 1950s to 1973.
Career
He was the narrator (the "weeeellll" voice) of the Chickenman series which began on his program at WCFL in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1966; Runyon also played several parts in the show.
James Runyon served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Following his discharge in 1961, he went to work at station KYW
WTAM
WTAM — branded Newsradio WTAM 1100 — is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, serving Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts primarily a news/talk format...
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. In 1965, he moved to WCFL
WCFL (AM)
WCFL was the callsign of a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was owned by the Chicago Federation of Labor, hence its call letters. The station is now known as WMVP. Its transmitter is located in Downers Grove and is still in use by WMVP...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He rejoined what became WKYC in October 1969, replacing Specs Howard on the morning show and kept the position when the station became WWWE in 1972.
Death
Runyon announced his resignation from WWWE on March 15, 1973, because of health concerns. Weeks later, he died of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at the age of 42. He was survived by his wife, actress Jane Roberts, who had performed with him in Chickenman, and their daughter Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Runyon
-Biography:She is known for guest appearances or secondary characters in various sitcoms and dramas, as well as a couple of made-for-TV movies. Among her roles are Sally Frame on Another World , Gwendolyn Pierce on Charles in Charge , and replacing Susan Olsen as Cindy Brady in A Very Brady Christmas...
(born 1960), a film and television actress.
Runyon's memory was honored at a special Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on May 4, 1973, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
.