Jimmy Lennon Sr. (April 13, 1913 - April 20, 1992) was one of the top announcers of the boxing and wrestling world.
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Known as "The Voice of the Olympic" Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, as well as "The Irishman With the Spanish Accent." For over 40 years, Lennon's unique professional ring eloquence and dapper style of fight announcing and tuxedo attire, along with innovated showmanship and the singing of the United States National Anthem could be seen live at The Grand Olympic Auditorium or over the television networks. Lennon first became a ring announcer in Santa Monica, California, at the Ocean Park Arena, while working there as the regular patriotic singer of the National Anthem. The regular ring announcer at the time was unavailable so the event coordinator asked Lennon if he would fill in as ring announcer. At the time Lennon was wearing a tuxedo to sing in, and also wore the tuxedo during that first announcing job. His boss liked Lennon's performance so well, he hired Lennon as the regular fight announcer, tuxedo and all. Lennon started the "Tux Announcer" style that night.
Lennon appeared in 75 productions, including Raging Bull, Rocky III, Main Event, California Split, Tough Guys, Kid Galahad, The Munsters, and The Monkees. Lennon was the character of a Jakks Pacific action figure released in 2007, depicting his Rocky III appearance. He was the uncle of the Lennon Sisters vocal group on The Lawrence Welk Show.
Lennon was a favorite among the Hispanic Community as he was a master at the Spanish dialect (and several other languages) which he presented whenever introducing a boxer or wrestler with a foreign name by accurately pronouncing difficult names often smudged by other announcers. He believed all men deserved to have their names properly pronounced as a sign of respect and honor.
Lennon sang as a young boy in church and later formed a singing group, The Lennon Brothers, with his brothers in Venice, California. He also served the World War II effort by becoming a commissioned civil instructor as a butcher and cook. At age 17, Lennon was planning to go to college and become an English professor, but his father Herbert Lennon became ill and died at age 44 leaving Jimmy and his 19 year-old brother John Henry to work and support the large surviving family. He worked at multiple jobs singing, performing, sports events, athlete, MC, patriotic, and police events in and around Los Angeles.
After 10 years of heart treatments, including heart surgery and multiple doctor and hospital visits, Mr. Lennon was admitted to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, where he died in ER on April 20, 1992. He was a patient of Dr. Folett in Santa Monica,CA. He was conversing with St. John's clergy prior to his death. Private funeral services were first attended by family and friends in Santa Monica in a small chapel on 20th St. and Arizona Ave. followed by a larger public open-casket service and burial at Holy Cross near Sepulveda and Jefferson Blvd. As of this writing there remains no headstone at the site of rest. Surviving wife, Doris Mae, plans to be buried separately in-tandem above James upon demise.
Mr. Lennon is survived by his wife, Doris, and four children, Scott, Robin Thomas, Kim Fitzgerald, and boxing announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Mr. Lennon is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. Lennon's father,'Bert' is also buried at Holy Cross (via Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica,CA.)
As a young boy Jimmy was chosen to be the pitcher at a softball celebrity sports event during which time he struck out the famous hitter BABE RUTH who later signed a photo of Jimmy throwing a ball at BABE. In high school in Venice,CA. Jimmy became a tennis champion. Jimmy went on to win many trophies and prizes at golfing events.He excelled at numerous sports and skills including hunting,basketball,running,magic tricks,languages,real estate law,golf,baseball,music,meat cutting,cooking,handyman repairs,and even sales and business.Lennon was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.