Jerry Lester

Jerry Lester (February 16, 1910 – March 23, 1995) was a American comedian, singer and performer on radio, television and the stage, who hosted the first network late night television program as host of Broadway Open House on NBC, a vaudeville-esque combination of comedy and music, whose success demonstrated the potential for late-night television and led to the creation of the Tonight Show.[1][2]

Biography

Jerry Lester was born in Chicago in 1910. His father was a music critic. As a youth, Lester competed in dance contests and performed in various venues. Following his graduation from Northwestern University, he performed nationally in music halls and nightclubs, going on to appear in vaudeville, several Broadway musicals including Beat the Band and Jackpot, and Hollywood films in the 1940s, as well as being a performer on radio.[1]

In 1950, he became host of Cavalcade of Stars on the DuMont Television Network, replacing Jack Carter.[3] After viewers phoned in their appreciation for Lester's guest appearance on an early television talk show, NBC president Pat Weaver invited Lester to be one of the hosts of Broadway Open House,[1] a planned late-night show whose host, Don Hornsby, died two weeks before the show was scheduled to premiere.[4] Lester quit Cavalcade of Stars and Jackie Gleason was hired as his replacement; the show was soon renamed The Jackie Gleason Show.

Broadway Open House went on the air in May 1950 with Lester hosting three nights a week and Morey Amsterdam hosting two nights, but Lester soon became the show's sole emcee.[2] The program introduced and made stars of Steve Allen, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson, all of whom would go on to host the Tonight Show.[1] It also made a star of cast member Dagmar, who became such a sensation that she overshadowed Lester, leading him to walk off the show in May 1951.[5]

Later in the 1950s, Lester appeared as a regular on the game show Pantomime Quiz, and variety shows such as Saturday Night Dance Party and Cavalcade of Stars.[2]

In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles and became host of a local late-night comedy and musical variety show on KTTV.[2]

Lester returned to prominence in theatre in the 1960s, appearing in the road production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and playing Seabee in the 1969 production of South Pacific.[1]

Afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in 1985, he retired from show business. He died in Miami, Florida, in 1995.[2] His brother was actor and comedian Buddy Lester.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Jerry Lester, Early TV Host And Comedian, Is Dead at 85". New York Times. May 25, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Jerry Lester; Comedian, Host of 1st Late-Night TV Show". Los Angeles Times. March 26, 1995.
  3. ↑ "Jerry Lester Biography". tv.com. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Final Curtain", Billboard, June 3, 1950: 51, retrieved March 9, 2010
  5. ↑ Life. July 16, 1951.

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