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{{short description|American actor}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Ed Prentiss
| name = Ed Prentiss
Line 5: Line 7:
| caption = Ed Prentiss is pictured in his role<br>of Ned in the radio soap opera<br>''The Guiding Light''.
| caption = Ed Prentiss is pictured in his role<br>of Ned in the radio soap opera<br>''The Guiding Light''.
| birth_name = Paul Edward Prentiss
| birth_name = Paul Edward Prentiss
| birth_date = September 9, 1908
| birth_date = September 9, 1909{{efn|''Find a Grave'' gives his year of birth as 1908.<ref name=Grave>[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83679691/ed-prentiss Ed Prentiss] at Find a Grave</ref>}}{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2018}}
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], US
| death_date = {{d-da|March 18, 1992|September 9, 1909}}
| death_date = {{death-date and age|March 19, 1992|September 9, 1908}}
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| nationality =
Line 13: Line 15:
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| alma_mater = University of Iowa
| alma_mater = University of Iowa
| home_town =
| spouse = Ivah Davidson (1941-?)
| spouse = Ivah Davidson (1941-?)
| children = 1 son
| children = 1 son
Line 19: Line 20:
| known_for =
| known_for =
}}
}}
'''Ed Prentiss''' (September 9, 1909<ref name=Grave/>{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2018}} – March 18, 1992) was an actor in the era of [[old-time radio]].<ref name=rs>DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-2834-2}}. P. 219.</ref> He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of ''[[Captain Midnight#Radio origins|Captain Midnight]]''.
'''Paul Edward Prentiss'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Louis Johnson to Discuss Defense|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6148894/belvidere_daily_republican/|work=Belvidere Daily Republican|date=July 9, 1940|location=Illinois, Belvidere|page=13|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> (September 9, 1908 &ndash; March 19, 1992) was an actor in the era of [[old-time radio]].<ref name=rs>DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-2834-2}}. P. 219.</ref> He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of ''[[Captain Midnight#Radio origins|Captain Midnight]]''.


==Early years==
==Early years==
Prentiss was born '''Paul Edward Prentiss'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Louis Johnson to Discuss Defense|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6148894/belvidere_daily_republican/|work=Belvidere Daily Republican|date=July 9, 1940|location=Illinois, Belvidere|page=13|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> in [[Chicago, Illinois]].<ref name=rs/> He attended the [[University of Iowa]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Studio Notes|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149077/the_evening_news/|work=The Evening News|date=April 15, 1940|location=Pennsylvania, Harrisburg|page=24|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>
Prentiss was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]].<ref name=rs/> He attended the [[University of Iowa]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Studio Notes|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149077/the_evening_news/|work=The Evening News|date=April 15, 1940|location=Pennsylvania, Harrisburg|page=24|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>


==Radio==
==Radio==
Radio historian [[Jim Harmon]] noted, in his book ''The Great Radio Heroes'', "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."<ref name="grh">{{cite book|last1=Harmon|first1=Jim|title=The Great Radio Heroes, rev. ed.|date=2001|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786483655|page=183|edition=Revised|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVe2At60U1YC&pg=PA183&dq=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikt5jtjq7OAhWINiYKHYpLCvEQ6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q=%22Ed%20Prentiss%22&f=false|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.<ref name=grh/>
Radio historian [[Jim Harmon]] noted, in his book ''The Great Radio Heroes'', "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."<ref name="grh">{{cite book|last1=Harmon|first1=Jim|title=The Great Radio Heroes, rev. ed.|date=2001|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786483655|page=183|edition=Revised|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVe2At60U1YC&q=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&pg=PA183|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.<ref name=grh/>


On ''[[Guiding Light|The Guiding Light]]'' soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Loviglio|first1=Jason|title=Radio's Intimate Public: Network Broadcasting and Mass-mediated Democracy|date=2005|publisher=U of Minnesota Press|isbn=9780816642342|page=82|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBLkozqDE5kC&pg=PA82&dq=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikt5jtjq7OAhWINiYKHYpLCvEQ6AEIMDAD#v=onepage&q=%22Ed%20Prentiss%22&f=false|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: ''[[Today's Children]]'', ''The Guiding Light'' and ''Woman in White''. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Allen|first1=Robert Clyde|title=Speaking of Soap Operas|date=1985|publisher=UNC Press Books|isbn=9780807841297|page=162|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U2zGpxIGUGsC&pg=PA162&dq=%22Ed+Prentiss%22+Today%27s+OR+Children+OR+1943&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjay7CUmrDOAhWCZCYKHZKOAVMQ6AEIKjAC#v=onepage&q=%22Ed%20Prentiss%22%20Today's%20OR%20Children%20OR%201943&f=false|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref>
On ''[[Guiding Light|The Guiding Light]]'' soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Loviglio|first1=Jason|title=Radio's Intimate Public: Network Broadcasting and Mass-mediated Democracy|date=2005|publisher=U of Minnesota Press|isbn=9780816642342|page=82|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBLkozqDE5kC&q=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&pg=PA82|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: ''[[Today's Children]]'', ''The Guiding Light'' and ''Woman in White''. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Allen|first1=Robert Clyde|title=Speaking of Soap Operas|date=1985|publisher=UNC Press Books|isbn=9780807841297|page=162|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U2zGpxIGUGsC&q=%22Ed+Prentiss%22+Today%27s+OR+Children+OR+1943&pg=PA162|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref>


Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Line 51: Line 52:
Prentiss had his own syndicated program, ''This Is The Story''. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."<ref>{{cite journal|title=(Snader Telescriptions Sales, Inc. ad)|journal=Sponsor|date=March 10, 1952|volume=6|issue=5|page=95|url=https://archive.org/stream/sponsor52spon#page/n474/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref>
Prentiss had his own syndicated program, ''This Is The Story''. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."<ref>{{cite journal|title=(Snader Telescriptions Sales, Inc. ad)|journal=Sponsor|date=March 10, 1952|volume=6|issue=5|page=95|url=https://archive.org/stream/sponsor52spon#page/n474/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref>


He also was a regular on ''Arnold Grimm's Daughter'',<ref>{{cite journal|title=What Do You Want to Know?|journal=Radio Mirror|date=July 1938|volume=10|issue=3|page=54|url=https://archive.org/stream/rad00macf#page/n263/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref> ''Painted Dreams'', ''Bud Barton'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Henry Aldrich on the Radio Tonight|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149660/belvidere_daily_republican/|work=Belvidere Daily Republican|date=July 11, 1940|location=Illinois, Belvidere|page=5|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''[[The Romance of Helen Trent]]'', ''Springtime and Harvest''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ferris|first1=Earle|title=Right out of the Air|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149288/the_edinburg_daily_courier/|work=The Edinburg Daily Courier|date=December 9, 1939|location=Indiana, Edinburg|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> and ''Holland Housewarming''.{{r|rp|page1=153}}
He also was a regular on ''[[Arnold Grimm's Daughter]]'',<ref>{{cite journal|title=What Do You Want to Know?|journal=Radio Mirror|date=July 1938|volume=10|issue=3|page=54|url=https://archive.org/stream/rad00macf#page/n263/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref> ''Painted Dreams'', ''Bud Barton'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Henry Aldrich on the Radio Tonight|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149660/belvidere_daily_republican/|work=Belvidere Daily Republican|date=July 11, 1940|location=Illinois, Belvidere|page=5|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''[[The Romance of Helen Trent]]'', ''Springtime and Harvest''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ferris|first1=Earle|title=Right out of the Air|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6149288/the_edinburg_daily_courier/|work=The Edinburg Daily Courier|date=December 9, 1939|location=Indiana, Edinburg|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 7, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> and ''Holland Housewarming''.{{r|rp|page1=153}}


==Film==
==Film==
Prentiss appeared in ''[[Westbound (film)|Westbound]]'' (1959)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pitts|first1=Michael R.|title=Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed.|date=2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786463725|page=390|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aTX2mv0uX7UC&pg=PA390&dq=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikt5jtjq7OAhWINiYKHYpLCvEQ6AEIugEwGw#v=onepage&q=%22Ed%20Prentiss%22&f=false|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> and ''The FBI Story'' (1959).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mavis|first1=Paul|title=The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999|date=2011|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786449156|page=100|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DoXeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA100&dq=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi84uKRhrDOAhUGVyYKHZTYAOk4MhDoAQhkMA0#v=onepage&q=%22Ed%20Prentiss%22&f=false|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref>
Prentiss appeared in ''[[Westbound (film)|Westbound]]'' (1959)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pitts|first1=Michael R.|title=Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed.|date=2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786463725|page=390|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aTX2mv0uX7UC&q=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&pg=PA390|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> and ''[[The FBI Story]]'' (1959).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mavis|first1=Paul|title=The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999|date=2011|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786449156|page=100|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DoXeCQAAQBAJ&q=%22Ed+Prentiss%22&pg=PA100|accessdate=7 August 2016|language=en}}</ref>


==Television==
==Television==
Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on ''[[As the World Turns]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=As the World Turns|journal=TV Radio Mirror|date=April 1957|volume=47|issue=5|page=44|url=https://archive.org/stream/radiotvmirr00mac#page/n341/mode/2up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref> He was one of the hosts of ''Action Autographs'',<ref name=etvs>Terrace, Vincent (2011). ''Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6477-7}}. P. 50.</ref> was the host for ''Majority Rules''.{{r|etvs|page1=643}} and played Edward Elliott on ''[[Morning Star (TV series)|Morning Star]]''.{{r|etvs|page1=716}} He also was the announcer for ''That's O'Toole''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Television Reviews: That's O'Toole|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety173-1949-03#page/n163/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016|work=Variety|date=March 16, 1949|page=84}}</ref>
Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on ''[[As the World Turns]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=As the World Turns|journal=TV Radio Mirror|date=April 1957|volume=47|issue=5|page=44|url=https://archive.org/stream/radiotvmirr00mac#page/n341/mode/2up|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref> He was one of the hosts of ''Action Autographs'',<ref name=etvs>Terrace, Vincent (2011). ''Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6477-7}}. P. 50.</ref> was the host for ''Majority Rules''.{{r|etvs|page1=643}} and played Edward Elliott on ''[[Morning Star (TV series)|Morning Star]]''.{{r|etvs|page1=716}} He also was the announcer for ''That's O'Toole''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Television Reviews: That's O'Toole|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety173-1949-03#page/n163/mode/1up|accessdate=8 August 2016|work=Variety|date=March 16, 1949|page=84}}</ref>
He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western ''[[Cheyenne (TV series)|Cheyenne]]'' in the episode titled "Top Hand."
He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western ''[[Cheyenne (TV series)|Cheyenne]]'' in the episode titled "Top Hand."{{Citation needed |date=August 2019}}

Prentiss appeared on ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', "The Case of the Badgered Brother" (season 7, episode 12) as the recorded voice reading a will in Mason's office.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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! Role
! Role
! Notes
! Notes
|-
|1957|| ''[[Cheyenne (TV series)|Cheyenne]]'' || Ben Gentry || ''Episode: Top Hand'' ||
|-
|-
|1958|| ''[[Violent Road]]'' || Mr. Nelson ||
|1958|| ''[[Violent Road]]'' || Mr. Nelson ||
|-
|-
|1958|| ''[[Home Before Dark (film)|Home Before Dark]]'' || Dr. Collins || Uncredited
|1958|| ''[[Home Before Dark (film)|Home Before Dark]]'' || Dr. Collins || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1959|| ''[[Westbound (film)|Westbound]]'' || James Fuller - U.S. Post Office || Uncredited
|1959|| ''[[Westbound (film)|Westbound]]'' || James Fuller - U.S. Post Office || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1959|| ''[[The FBI Story]]'' || U.S. Marshal ||
|1959|| ''[[The FBI Story]]'' || U.S. Marshal ||
|-
|-
|1959|| ''[[Beloved Infidel]]'' || Attendee at Preview || Uncredited
|1959|| ''[[Beloved Infidel]]'' || Attendee at Preview || Uncredited ||
|-
|1960|| ''[[Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series) ]]'' || Sheriff Truxton || ''Episode: Mental Lapse'' ||
|-
|-
|1960|| ''[[Man on a String]]'' || Adrian Benson ||
|1960|| ''[[Man on a String]]'' || Adrian Benson ||
|-
|-
|1960|| ''[[The Crowded Sky]]'' || Joseph Bruce aka J.B. || Uncredited
|1960|| ''[[The Crowded Sky]]'' || Joseph Bruce aka J.B. || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1960|| ''[[Sunrise at Campobello]]'' || Barker || Uncredited
|1960|| ''[[Sunrise at Campobello]]'' || Barker || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1961|| ''[[A Fever in the Blood]]'' || Convention Chairman || Uncredited
|1961|| ''[[A Fever in the Blood]]'' || Convention Chairman || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1961|| ''[[Ada (film)|Ada]]'' || Clergyman at Legislative Meeting || Uncredited
|1961|| ''[[Ada (1961 film)|Ada]]'' || Clergyman at Legislative Meeting || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1961|| ''[[The Children's Hour (film)|The Children's Hour]]'' || Head of Hospital || Uncredited
|1961|| ''[[The Children's Hour (film)|The Children's Hour]]'' || Head of Hospital || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1961|| ''[[Lover Come Back (1961 film)|Lover Come Back]]'' || Zachary, Ad Council Member || Uncredited
|1961|| ''[[Lover Come Back (1961 film)|Lover Come Back]]'' || Zachary, Ad Council Member || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1961|| ''[[The Outsider (1961 film)|The Outsider]]'' || Speaker || Uncredited
|1961|| ''[[The Outsider (1961 film)|The Outsider]]'' || Speaker || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1963|| ''[[A Gathering of Eagles]]'' || Duty Controller ||
|1963|| ''[[A Gathering of Eagles]]'' || Duty Controller||
|-
|-
|1963|| ''[[Wall of Noise]]'' || Paddock Steward || Uncredited
|1963|| ''[[Wall of Noise]]'' || Paddock Steward ||
|-
|1963|| ''[[Leave it to Beaver (TV series)|Leave it to Beaver]]'' || Mr. Bailey || ''Episode: The Clothing Drive'' ||
|-
|-
|1964|| ''[[One Man's Way]]'' || Mr. Boardman ||
|1964|| ''[[One Man's Way]]'' || Mr. Boardman ||
|-
|-
|1964|| ''[[Kisses for My President]]'' || Max Kloch || Uncredited
|1964|| ''[[Kisses for My President]]'' || Max Kloch || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1964|| ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Dentist in Antarctica || Uncredited
|1964|| ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Dentist in Antarctica || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1967|| ''[[Eight on the Lam]]'' || Minister || Uncredited
|1967|| ''[[Eight on the Lam]]'' || Minister || Uncredited ||
|-
|-
|1968|| ''[[Project X (1968 film)|Project X]]'' || Hicks ||
|1968|| ''[[Project X (1968 film)|Project X]]'' || Hicks ||
|-
|1968|| ''[[The Virginian (TV series)]]'' || Carl Jensen || saison 7 episode 6 ''(Image of an outlaw)'' ||
|-
|1969|| ''[[The Virginian (TV series)]]'' || Dave Owens || saison 7 épisode 16 ''(Last grave at socorro creek)'' ||
|-
|-
|1971|| ''[[The Barefoot Executive]]'' || Harry - Justice Dept. Man ||
|1971|| ''[[The Barefoot Executive]]'' || Harry - Justice Dept. Man ||
Line 115: Line 128:
|1971|| ''[[The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker]]'' || Mr. Franklin ||
|1971|| ''[[The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker]]'' || Mr. Franklin ||
|}
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0696034}}
*{{IMDb name|0696034}}
*{{Find a Grave|83679691}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Prentiss, Ed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prentiss, Ed}}
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:Male actors from Chicago]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chicago]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]


{{US-radio-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:45, 16 September 2024

Ed Prentiss
Ed Prentiss is pictured in his role
of Ned in the radio soap opera
The Guiding Light.
Born
Paul Edward Prentiss

September 9, 1908
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedMarch 19, 1992 (1992-03-20) (aged 83)
Alma materUniversity of Iowa
OccupationActor
SpouseIvah Davidson (1941-?)
Children1 son

Paul Edward Prentiss[1] (September 9, 1908 – March 19, 1992) was an actor in the era of old-time radio.[2] He was perhaps best known for portraying the title role on the radio version of Captain Midnight.

Early years

[edit]

Prentiss was born in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He attended the University of Iowa.[3]

Radio

[edit]

Radio historian Jim Harmon noted, in his book The Great Radio Heroes, "Ed Prentiss was not the first actor to play Captain Midnight, contrary to some published reports."[4] After Bill Bouchey had the role in the program's second season, Prentiss auditioned for the third season, got the part, and continued as Captain Midnight for seven years.[4]

On The Guiding Light soap opera, Prentiss played Ned (a "neglected youth") and was the program's "omniscient host."[5] Beginning in 1943, Prentiss was narrator for an hour-long block consisting of three soap operas: Today's Children, The Guiding Light and Woman in White. The three programs had interconnecting story lines, with Prentiss's narration "introducing each program segment and linking all three together."[6]

Prentiss's other roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.

Program Role
Armstrong of the SBI Announcer[7]
The First Nighter Program Host[7]: 118 
Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy Announcer[7]: 167 
Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame Lujack's sidekick[7]: 178 
Silver Eagle Narrator[7]: 304 
Sweet River Minister [7]: 324 
A Tale of Today Michael Denby[8]

Prentiss had his own syndicated program, This Is The Story. An ad for the 15-minute program described it as follows: "Ed Prentiss, America's greatest story teller ... offers true and unusual tales, each with a surprisingly different ending."[9]

He also was a regular on Arnold Grimm's Daughter,[10] Painted Dreams, Bud Barton,[11] The Romance of Helen Trent, Springtime and Harvest[12] and Holland Housewarming.[7]: 153 

Film

[edit]

Prentiss appeared in Westbound (1959)[13] and The FBI Story (1959).[14]

Television

[edit]

Prentiss played Dr. Snyder on As the World Turns.[15] He was one of the hosts of Action Autographs,[16] was the host for Majority Rules.[16]: 643  and played Edward Elliott on Morning Star.[16]: 716  He also was the announcer for That's O'Toole.[17] He also played roles in various TV Westerns of the late 1950s-early '60s, often as a sheriff. He is easily recognized by his voice, as well as his physical appearance. In 1957 Prentiss appeared as Bob Gentry on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Top Hand."[citation needed]

Prentiss appeared on Perry Mason, "The Case of the Badgered Brother" (season 7, episode 12) as the recorded voice reading a will in Mason's office.

Personal life

[edit]

Prentiss married Ivah Davidson on November 21, 1941.[18] They had a son, born September 14, 1943.[19]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1957 Cheyenne Ben Gentry Episode: Top Hand
1958 Violent Road Mr. Nelson
1958 Home Before Dark Dr. Collins Uncredited
1959 Westbound James Fuller - U.S. Post Office Uncredited
1959 The FBI Story U.S. Marshal
1959 Beloved Infidel Attendee at Preview Uncredited
1960 Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series) Sheriff Truxton Episode: Mental Lapse
1960 Man on a String Adrian Benson
1960 The Crowded Sky Joseph Bruce aka J.B. Uncredited
1960 Sunrise at Campobello Barker Uncredited
1961 A Fever in the Blood Convention Chairman Uncredited
1961 Ada Clergyman at Legislative Meeting Uncredited
1961 The Children's Hour Head of Hospital Uncredited
1961 Lover Come Back Zachary, Ad Council Member Uncredited
1961 The Outsider Speaker Uncredited
1963 A Gathering of Eagles Duty Controller
1963 Wall of Noise Paddock Steward
1963 Leave it to Beaver Mr. Bailey Episode: The Clothing Drive
1964 One Man's Way Mr. Boardman
1964 Kisses for My President Max Kloch Uncredited
1964 Quick, Before It Melts Dentist in Antarctica Uncredited
1967 Eight on the Lam Minister Uncredited
1968 Project X Hicks
1968 The Virginian (TV series) Carl Jensen saison 7 episode 6 (Image of an outlaw)
1969 The Virginian (TV series) Dave Owens saison 7 épisode 16 (Last grave at socorro creek)
1971 The Barefoot Executive Harry - Justice Dept. Man
1971 The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker Mr. Franklin

References

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  1. ^ "Louis Johnson to Discuss Defense". Belvidere Daily Republican. Illinois, Belvidere. July 9, 1940. p. 13. Retrieved August 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. P. 219.
  3. ^ "Studio Notes". The Evening News. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. April 15, 1940. p. 24. Retrieved August 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b Harmon, Jim (2001). The Great Radio Heroes, rev. ed (Revised ed.). McFarland. p. 183. ISBN 9780786483655. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  5. ^ Loviglio, Jason (2005). Radio's Intimate Public: Network Broadcasting and Mass-mediated Democracy. U of Minnesota Press. p. 82. ISBN 9780816642342. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. ^ Allen, Robert Clyde (1985). Speaking of Soap Operas. UNC Press Books. p. 162. ISBN 9780807841297. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 27.
  8. ^ "What Do You Want to Know?". Radio Mirror. 10 (2): 69. June 1938. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  9. ^ "(Snader Telescriptions Sales, Inc. ad)". Sponsor. 6 (5): 95. March 10, 1952. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  10. ^ "What Do You Want to Know?". Radio Mirror. 10 (3): 54. July 1938. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Henry Aldrich on the Radio Tonight". Belvidere Daily Republican. Illinois, Belvidere. July 11, 1940. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ Ferris, Earle (December 9, 1939). "Right out of the Air". The Edinburg Daily Courier. Indiana, Edinburg. p. 3. Retrieved August 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ Pitts, Michael R. (2012). Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed (2nd ed.). McFarland. p. 390. ISBN 9780786463725. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  14. ^ Mavis, Paul (2011). The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786449156. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  15. ^ "As the World Turns". TV Radio Mirror. 47 (5): 44. April 1957. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  16. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 50.
  17. ^ "Television Reviews: That's O'Toole". Variety. March 16, 1949. p. 84. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Behind the Mike". Broadcasting. December 1, 1941. p. 36. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  19. ^ "(untitled brief)". Broadcasting. September 27, 1943. p. 44.
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