Kenny Delmar
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Howard "Kenny" Delmar (September 5, 1910, Boston, Massachusetts – July 14, 1984, Stamford, Connecticut
) was an American
actor
active in radio, films, and animation.
on Fred Allen
's radio program, which he did while also serving as the show's regular announcer. The role was a major influence on the Warner Brothers' cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn. At the height of his popularity, Delmar also starred as Claghorn in a 1947 theatrical feature film, It's a Joke, Son!
.
Delmar was also announcer and voice performer on The Alan Young Show
. One of the characters that he played was Counselor Carteblanche who is obviously similar in mannerisms and voice to Senator Claghorn.
In the infamous 1938 broadcast of Orson Welles
' adaptation of The War of the Worlds
, he played the voice of the unnamed Secretary of the Interior
, who, on Welles' direction, sounded suspiciously like then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt
. He also was heard as Commissioner Weston on early episodes of The Shadow
.
, The Hunter
, and other Saturday morning cartoon icons.
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
active in radio, films, and animation.
Radio
Delmar is notable for his performances as Senator Beauregard ClaghornSenator Claghorn
Senator Beauregard Claghorn of Charleston, South Carolina, was a popular radio character on the "Allen's Alley" segment of The Fred Allen Show beginning in 1945...
on Fred Allen
Fred Allen
Fred Allen was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio.His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it...
's radio program, which he did while also serving as the show's regular announcer. The role was a major influence on the Warner Brothers' cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn. At the height of his popularity, Delmar also starred as Claghorn in a 1947 theatrical feature film, It's a Joke, Son!
It's a Joke, Son!
- Cast :*Kenny Delmar as Senator Beauregard Claghorn*Una Merkel as Mrs. Magnolia Claghorn*June Lockhart as Mary Lou Claghorn*Kenneth Farrell as Jefferson "Jeff" Davis*Douglass Dumbrille as Big Dan Healey*Jimmy Conlin as Senator Alexander P...
.
Delmar was also announcer and voice performer on The Alan Young Show
The Alan Young Show
The Alan Young Show is an American radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young.-Radio:...
. One of the characters that he played was Counselor Carteblanche who is obviously similar in mannerisms and voice to Senator Claghorn.
In the infamous 1938 broadcast of Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
' adaptation of The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds (radio)
The War of the Worlds was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was performed as a Halloween episode of the series on October 30, 1938, and aired over the Columbia Broadcasting System radio network. Directed and narrated by actor and future filmmaker...
, he played the voice of the unnamed Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
, who, on Welles' direction, sounded suspiciously like then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. He also was heard as Commissioner Weston on early episodes of The Shadow
The Shadow
The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante in the pulps, which carried over to the airwaves as a "wealthy, young man about town"...
.
Animation
Delmar was also a well-utilized cartoon voice talent whose voice was familiar to baby-boomers as Commander McBraggCommander McBragg
Commander McBragg is a cartoon character who appeared in short segments produced by Total Television Productions and animated by Gamma Productions...
, The Hunter
King Leonardo and his Short Subjects
King Leonardo and his Short Subjects was an animated cartoon series released in 1960 by Total Television , sponsored by General Mills.-Characters and story:...
, and other Saturday morning cartoon icons.